Fertilizers & Agricultural Chemicals

Monsanto (NYSE: MON) engineered, insect-killing corn, is falling over in fields in northwestern Illinois according to a Bloomberg report. This is possibly a sign that rootworms may have developed resistance to genetically modified crops outside of Iowa, where resistance has been confirmed. Michael...

Pretty soon, corn will be more valuable than a barrel of oil. There is an article on Bloomberg Government from last month that still holds true today. (Gasp! Something written more than 30 seconds ago still holds true?) It is a sad fact that the U.S. is using corn almost as much as Saudi oil as...

The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) announced that it recently received patent approval for Nexfos™, a granulated feed-grade monodicalcium phosphate for use in animal and poultry feed.

Piper Jaffray is out with a research report on Monsanto (NYSE: MON) and it has an Overweight rating and a $90 price target on shares. In a note to clients, Piper Jaffray writes, "Refuge in a bag (RIB) was the most talked about new product by each of the seed majors at Farm Progress this year....

Gilford Securities maintained its Monsanto (NYSE: MON) Sell rating in a research report published today. In the report, Gilford Securities states, "Our issue [with Monsanto] is more micro, more company-specific. That is, Monsanto's position within its industry peaked a couple of years ago. In fact...

Blueshift Ideas is out with a series of tweets discussing Monsanto (NYSE: MON) and its products for crops, and is mostly negative. Blueshift says that Monsanto's SmartStax corn seeds are "performing in line with other corn seed brands, but costs more per bag and yield not expected to surpass other...

So much for no QE3, at least if Charles Evans gets his way. Chicago Federal Reserve President Charles Evans was on CNBC just a few minutes ago, and comments from Evans made it sure seem like an additional round of quantitative easing is on its way. Gold, silver, and bonds are moving higher on the...

Piper Jaffray is out with its report today on Monsanto (NYSE: MON), reiterating Overweight. In its report, Piper Jaffray writes, "Reiterate OW as we see significant upside for new seed platforms and a robust product development pipeline. Maintain $90 PT based on 25x $3.21 FY13 EPS seeds & 12x...

Below are the top large-cap specialty chemicals stocks on the NYSE and the NASDAQ in terms of profit margin. The trailing-twelve-month profit margin at Mosaic Company (The) (NYSE: MOS) is 25.30%. MOS' ROE for the same period is 24.63%. The trailing-twelve-month profit margin at Williams Partners...

Amidst all of the market turmoil over the past few weeks, commodities have been hit just as much as equities, but that did not stop BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP) from posting record earnings. The Melbourne, Australia-based company reported that its annual profit rose nearly 86% from a year ago, thanks...

On CNBC's Fast Money, Brian Kelly said that investors should buy The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) tomorrow. The Mosaic Company (MOS) gained 4.24% today, and closed at $65.45. Tim Seymour suggested that you should fade the rally in solar stocks. If you are interested in solar ETFs, take a look at...

Scotia Capital is out with its report today on Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (NYSE: POT), upgrading POT to Sector Outperform from Sector Perform. In its report, Scotia Capital writes, "We have upgraded POT back to 1-Sector Outperform. We think POT @ ~$50/sh (11x 2012E EPS) is too compelling...

This old name from the portfolio, fertilizer stock CF Industries (CF) is trading as if it exists in another dimension.  I have to assume nitrogen prices are not feeling any effects from the global slowdown.  Amazing relative strength. Mosaic (MOS) and Potash (POT) are not showing any similar sort...

CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF) today announced that its Board of Directors has elected Dennis P. Kelleher senior vice president and chief financial officer effective immediately. He succeeds Anthony J. Nocchiero, who retired in 2010.

Piper Jaffray downgraded New York & Company Inc (NYSE: NWY) from “overweight” to “neutral.” NWY's stock closed at $3.35 on Friday. NWY's trailing-twelve-month ROE is -44.72%. Analysts at Bank of America downgraded Agrium Inc (NYSE: AGU) from “neutral” to “underperform.” AGU's shares closed at...