Mosaic (MOS) To Cut Phosphate Production Amid Market Weakness

The Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS) announced plans to reduce the production of fertilizer until markets improve. In addition to the 500,000 ton-reduction that the company implemented in the second half of 2019 mainly in Louisiana, it plans to curtail the production of phosphate by 150,000 tons per month at its Central Florida facilities.

Mosaic will continue to operate at lower rates in its Canada potash business. Both phosphate and potash production is anticipated to return to full rates when required to meet the requirements of customers.

Per management, the third consecutive disappointing fertilizer application season in North America resulted in continued price weakness and high inventories.

Mosaic will not produce at high rates if it is not able to realize reasonable prices. Moving into 2020, the company expects extended production curtailments to help balance the global supply-and-demand picture.

With fertilizer-depleted soils and rising prices of agricultural commodities, it anticipates strong business conditions and healthy demand to continue in the coming year.

For the fourth quarter of 2019, Mosaic anticipates phosphate and potash shipment volumes to be modestly below the levels mentioned recently. Further, gross margin per ton for the Phosphates segment is anticipated to be considerably below the previously stated range due to low volumes and realized prices.

Shares of Mosaic have lost 29.4% year to date compared with the industry’s 4.3% decline.

In the last month, the company lowered the adjusted EBITDA view for 2019 to $1.4-$1.5 billion, from $1.8-$2 billion mentioned earlier. Further, it now projects adjusted earnings of 50-60 cents per share, down from $1.10-$1.50 stated previously.

In early November, the company expected phosphates sales volume of 2.1-2.3 million tons and potash sales volume of 1.7-1.9 million tons for the fourth quarter.

The Mosaic Company Price and Consensus

Zacks Rank & Stocks to Consider

Mosaic currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).

Some better-ranked stocks in the basic materials space are General Moly, Inc (NYSE:GMO) , Franco-Nevada Corporation (TSX:FNV) and Sandstorm Gold Ltd (NYSE:SAND) , each currently carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

General Moly has an expected earnings growth rate of 12.5% for the current fiscal year. The company’s shares have gained 20.5% in the past year.

Franco-Nevada has a projected earnings growth rate of 45.3% for 2019. The company’s shares have rallied 41.4% in a year.

Sandstorm Gold has an estimated earnings growth rate of 166.7% for the current year. Its shares have moved up 51.3% in the past year.

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