Potash Corporation Of Saskatchewan Inc. Stock Buy Recommendation Reiterated (POT)

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan (NYSE:POT) has been reiterated by TheStreet Ratings as a buy with a ratings score of B. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its notable return on equity, expanding profit margins and largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income.

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Highlights from the ratings report include:

• The return on equity has improved slightly when compared to the same quarter one year prior. This can be construed as a modest strength in the organization. When compared to other companies in the Chemicals industry and the overall market, POTASH CORP SASK INC's return on equity exceeds that of the industry average and significantly exceeds that of the S&P 500.
• 45.70% is the gross profit margin for POTASH CORP SASK INC which we consider to be strong. Regardless of POT's high profit margin, it has managed to decrease from the same period last year. Despite the mixed results of the gross profit margin, POT's net profit margin of 28.10% significantly outperformed against the industry.
• The current debt-to-equity ratio, 0.56, is low and is below the industry average, implying that there has been successful management of debt levels. Although the company had a strong debt-to-equity ratio, its quick ratio of 0.71 is somewhat weak and could be cause for future problems.
• POTASH CORP SASK INC's earnings per share declined by 33.3% in the most recent quarter compared to the same quarter a year ago. This company has not demonstrated a clear trend in earnings over the past 2 years, making it difficult to accurately predict earnings for the coming year. During the past fiscal year, POTASH CORP SASK INC increased its bottom line by earning $3.52 versus $1.98 in the prior year.
• POT, with its decline in revenue, underperformed when compared the industry average of 1.8%. Since the same quarter one year prior, revenues fell by 20.8%. Weakness in the company's revenue seems to have hurt the bottom line, decreasing earnings per share.

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells fertilizers and related industrial and feed products primarily in the United States and Canada. The company mines and produces potash, which is used as fertilizer. The company has a P/E ratio of 12.6, equal to the average chemicals industry P/E ratioand below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan has a market cap of $35.04 billion and is part of the basic materials sector and chemicals industry. Shares are down 3.7% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday.

You can view the full Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Ratings Report or get investment ideas from our investment research center.

--Written by a member of TheStreet Ratings Staff.

TheStreet ratings do not represent the views of TheStreet's staff or its contributors. Ratings are established by computer based on metrics for performance (which includes growth, stock performance, efficiency and valuation) and risk (volatility and solvency). Companies with poor cash flow or high debt levels tend to earn lower ratings in our model.

For more information on Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. click any of the following:

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• Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. Growth Rates

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• Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. Income Statement