3 Reasons to Buy Agrium Now

Investors should take a hard look at these positive developments at Agrium.

| More on:
The Motley Fool

Agrium (TSX: AGU)(NYSE: AGU) is a great company for investors looking to benefit from the growing demand for food.

The world’s population continues to rise at an alarming rate. At the same time, valuable farmland is routinely being turned into subdivisions and shopping malls.

Agrium produces and retails the three key nutrients farmers use to improve crop yields: nitrogen, potash and phosphate.

Here are three reasons why I think now is a good time to buy Agrium.

1. Diversified business model

Compared to other companies in the agriculture space, namely PotashCorp (TSX: POT)(NYSE: POT) and Mosaic (NYSE: MOS), Agrium’s diversified business model provides investors with a hedge against the volatile tendencies of the wholesale side of the crop nutrients industry.

Agrium is a vertically integrated business and sells its products both wholesale and through its network of retail locations.

The retail division represents about 43% of the company’s earnings, providing investors with more stability because it isn’t heavily affected by big price changes in the global potash market.

Currently, Agrium is the largest direct-to-grower distributor of seed, crop nutrients and crop protection products in North America. It also has an extensive network in Australia.

Agrium’s recent acquisition of Viterra’s 200 sales outlets continues to add revenue and synergies to the retail division.

2. Potash and nitrogen production

Agrium is expanding its Vanscoy potash operation by a million tonnes. The increase is expected to come on line at the end of 2014, boosting Agrium’s potash production by more than 40%. The $1.8 billion project will add significantly to earnings moving forward.

Recent potash deals with China and India have put a floor under the market at $300 per tonne. This will calm the nerves of investors who have been sitting on the sidelines looking to take a position in the potash producers, including Agrium. Global potash demand is trending higher and prices should drift upwards through 2015.

Nitrogen represented 34% of Agrium’s gross profit in 2013. Natural gas is the key cost component for nitrogen production and the price spike in Q1 2014 had an impact on margins. Production costs are likely to be lower in the second half of 2014 as natural gas prices decrease. Natural gas closed at $3.95 per mmBtu last week. This is the first time it has been under $4 since early December of last year.

3. Increasing dividends and share buybacks

Agrium has increased its annual dividend from $0.11 per share to $3 per share in just the past three years. The company also plans to buy back up to 5% of its outstanding shares before the end of Q1 2015.

With the major capital expenditures for the Vanscoy expansion nearly completed, Agrium should have ample free cash flow available to boost the dividend.

The bottom line

Agrium’s diversified business structure will allow it to weather rough times in the wholesale markets for its products.

With the new potash production, lower natural gas prices and improving synergies in the retail group, I think Agrium is set to reward investors as it transitions out of a tough wholesale environment.

Potash and nitrogen prices should trend higher in the second half of 2015, and the current 3% dividend is a good incentive to get paid while you wait for better times.

This article represents the opinion of the writer, who may disagree with the “official” recommendation position of a Motley Fool premium service or advisor. We’re Motley! Questioning an investing thesis — even one of our own — helps us all think critically about investing and make decisions that help us become smarter, happier, and richer, so we sometimes publish articles that may not be in line with recommendations, rankings or other content.

Fool contributor Andrew Walker has a position in PotashCorp. The Motley Fool owns shares of PotashCorp. Agrium is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada.

More on Investing

A cannabis plant grows.
Cannabis Stocks

Canopy Growth Stock Is Rising But I’m Worried About This One Thing

Canopy Growth stock is soaring as the legalization effort makes real progress in both Germany and the United States.

Read more »

young woman celebrating a victory while working with mobile phone in the office
Investing

3 Roaring Stocks to Hold for the Next 20 Years

These top TSX stocks are excellent long-term buys, given their multi-year growth potential and solid underlying businesses.

Read more »

Two seniors float in a pool.
Dividend Stocks

TFSA: How to Earn $1,890 in Annual Tax-Free Income

Plunk these investments into your TFSA to earn passive income and avoid the taxman.

Read more »

grow dividends
Investing

Here’s My Top 3 TSX Stocks to Buy Right Now

Even though the TSX has been rising, there are still some good bargains out there. Here are three top compounding…

Read more »

Target. Stand out from the crowd
Investing

Prediction: This Canadian Growth Stock Could Double by 2030

Alimentation Couche-Tard (TSX:ATD) is a top growth stock that could do well over the next six or so years.

Read more »

Businessman holding AI cloud
Tech Stocks

Could Investing $20,000 in Nvidia Make You a Millionaire?

Nvidia stock has made investors millionaires in the last 10 years. Is it too late to invest to become a…

Read more »

Engineers walk through a facility.
Dividend Stocks

1 TSX Stock I Wouldn’t Touch With a 10-Foot Pole

AtkinsRéalis (TSX:ATRL) is one TSX stock I'd never invest in.

Read more »

money cash dividends
Stocks for Beginners

Have $500? 3 Absurdly Cheap Stocks Long-Term Investors Should Buy Right Now

If you're looking for cheap stocks, these three have a huge future ahead of them, all while costing far less…

Read more »