According to the report on the 2013 outlook of the U.S. Agricultural sector published in February, the U.S. Department of Agriculture expects the sector to grow significantly through 2013 with the majority of that growth expected in the second half of the year. The sector is recovering following a slowdown last year, which affected several companies involved in the business. Even the manufacturers of Agricultural chemicals were not spared, as prices for their products tanked during the year. Companies like Potash Corp./Saskatchewan (USA) (NYSE:POT), Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS) and BASF fluctuated during 2012, and seem to have carried that behavior to 2013.
These stocks have global exposure, which means their stability and growth cannot be determined by the U.S. market alone. For instance, Potash Corp./Saskatchewan (USA) (NYSE:POT) relies heavily on global fertilizer sales, which are subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange and other macro-economic risks. Right now, the U.S dollar is strengthening against major global currencies, including the Euro, Japanese Yen and the Chinese Yuan among others. This means that converting global sales for these companies would result in hefty foreign exchange losses.
Potash Corp./Saskatchewan (USA) (NYSE:POT)
In the most recent quarter, ended March 31, Potash Corp./Saskatchewan (USA) (NYSE:POT) reported $0.63 in earning per share from sales of $2.1 billion. This beat last year’s figures of $0.56 and $1.746 billion respectively. However, the company is yet to come close to beating its EPS of $0.96 from revenue of $2.325 billion reported in the first quarter of 2011. This indicates that Potash continues to trail its highest achievement as some of its key markets struggle economically.
China and Brazil are some of Potash Corp./Saskatchewan (USA) (NYSE:POT)’s major offshore markets, and as noted over the last one-year and a half, these countries have failed to match their record economic growth rates reported in previous periods. The Euro zone crises have not weighed well on Potash’s business, as the Euro remains under pressure from the U.S dollar. This is why the stock fluctuates by as much as 10%, within a month or two, either side of the chart.
Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS)
Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS) engages in the production of two major agricultural chemicals, Potash and Phosphates. Phosphates account for a majority of Mosaic’s sales, about 60%. A majority of the segments sales are international – nearly 65%. On the other hand, a majority of Potash segment’s revenues come from North America – about 60%. Nonetheless, the weighted sales indicate that overall, a majority of Mosaic’s revenue comes from overseas.
In the most recent quarter, ended February 28, Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS)’s revenues grew by 2.3% from the same quarter last year. Overall volume sales grew significantly, but this was wiped by low prices, hence the net growth of just over 2%. The low prices, which apparently are beyond Mosaic’s control, make the stock very speculative. Additionally, just as noted in the case of Potash, a majority of the company’s income is offshore, and based on the current performance by the U.S. dollar, this does not work out well for the company.
BASF
BASF’s business does not carry much exposure to the agricultural environment as Mosaic Co (NYSE:MOS) and Potash. The Germany-based company produces a wide range of chemicals used in areas such as solar cells and other electronic components. Its link to agriculture comes in the form of crop protection products.
The company’s Agricultural Solutions segment provides fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides, seed treatment products, and pest control products for public health. It also provides professional pest control and landscape maintenance. The company is looking to shift its research facility to Asia by setting up a chemical plant in India. This could open it up well for to the emerging markets; hence, raising its prospects.
Germany being a Euro zone member means that BASF is bound to benefit from a strong dollar. The mega cap chemicals manufacturer seems to offer the best buying opportunity compared to its U.S. rivals in terms of outlook. However, the company’s low margins compared to its rivals explain why the stock continues to tumble in the market.
Performance and valuation
BASF’s most recent quarter revenues grew by 5%, compared to Mosaic’s 2% while Potash reported the biggest growth rate of 19%. In terms of gross margins, the company trails its U.S rivals with 26%, compared to Mosaic’s 28% and Potash’s 46%.
Potash’s operating margins are the best among the trio at 40%, while Mosaic’s stand at 23%. BASF, on the other hand, has an operating margin of 12%. However, BASF’s EPS of $6.51 trumps Potash’s $2.44 and Mosaic’s $4.47.
Potash seems to be the most expensive stock amongst its rivals with a price to earnings ratio of 15.65 times. However, this could also indicate that investors are willing to pay a huge premium on the stock compared to Mosaic, which trades at 12.01 times earnings, and BASF at 13.36 times earnings.
The bottom line
Potash is down 7.58% year-to-date, or YTD, while BASF despite being up more than 25% from 12 months ago, is down 8.34% already this year. Mosaic on the other hand is down 6.61% YTD. BASF may seem to have a better outlook going forward, with its plan to intensify its focus on emerging markets, but its fundamentals are wanting.
On the other hand, the two U.S companies will have to rely on the performance of the dollar and the recovery of their major markets. The companies have fluctuated too much over this year, which makes them very speculative, and hence, dangerous.
Nicholas Kitonyi has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned.
The article You Don’t Want to Buy These Stocks originally appeared on Fool.com and is written by Nicholas Kitonyi.
Nicholas is a member of The Motley Fool Blog Network — entries represent the personal opinion of the blogger and are not formally edited.
Copyright © 1995 – 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
