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This is my last post today heres some facts about Potash, enjoy

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This Fertilizer Stock Came Up Smelling Like Roses
By Jonathan Chen
Benzinga Staff Writer
July 28, 2011 10:23 AM

Symbols: AGU, BHP, CF, MON, MOS, POT, TNH
Tags:
Posted in: Long Ideas, News, Earnings, Short Ideas, Guidance, Trading Ideas, Best of Benzinga
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Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan, Inc. (NYSE: POT) reported quarterly earnings this morning that were markedly better than what Wall Street was expecting, and shares are moving higher this morning as a result.
The Canada-based company reported second quarter earnings of 96 cents per share on $2.33 billion in revenues. Wall Street was looking for earnings of 85 cents per share on $2 billion in revenues. Revenues soared year-over-year, rising 61.8% from last year. The company also gave guidance for the third quarter, saying it expects to earn anywhere between 80 cents and $1 per share, as opposed to the Wall Street estimate of 89 cents. For the full year, the company expects to earn $3.40 to $3.80 per share. Wall Street expects full year earnings of $3.43 per share.
“The continuation of strong fertilizer demand combined with the limitations of global production, especially in potash, resulted in tight fertilizer markets and rising prices for our products,” said PotashCorp President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Doyle. “With farmers committed to increasing yields and capitalizing on the unprecedented economic opportunity, we worked to keep pace with growing demand, which resulted in a record quarter for our company. We believe our ongoing investment in expanding potash operational capability is playing an integral role in the world's food story, and we demonstrated our increased ability to deliver – for our customers and our shareholders.”
As potash, phosphate and nitrogen prices continued to rise during the quarter, the company was able to generate better margins, and gross margins nearly double as a result.
Gleacher & Co analyst Edlain Rodriguez was pleasantly surprised by the price of potash. "The numbers look very good and are much stronger than expected," Rodriguez said. "The big difference is the potash price, which was much higher than what I expected."
Potash inventories continue to fall, prices have continued to rise, and Potash, which is part of a monopoly with Uralkali, Belaruskali, and Mosaic (NYSE: MOS [FREE Stock Trend Analysis]) has greatly benefited. Inventories are 26% below the average of the past five years, and as the world's population continues to grow, there will continue to be a strain on potash prices. Potash, along with other nutrients, is used by farmers to help get extra yield out of their crops.
Last year, Potash was the subject of a $50 billion takeover offer from BHP Billiton (NYSE: BHP), but the offer was ultimately nixed, as the Canadian government got involved and deemed the company to be a "national asset." That kind of intervention by a government should tell you how important potash, nitrogen and phosphate are to the world. Potash margins nearly doubled, nitrogen margins rose 67%, and phosphate margins nearly tripled, indicating that there continues to be just absolutely incredible demand for Potash's products.
This paragraph in the company's earnings release should really drive home the importance of this company and its competitors:
"While seldom considered by those outside the potash business, operating facilities at full capability can be a challenge as disruptions from logistical, operational and geological issues are common. We continue to estimate global demand will approximate 55-60 million tonnes in 2011, but now anticipate that meeting the upper end of the range will be constrained by what we estimate is the industry's ability to produce."
At less than 18 times 2011 earnings and less than 15 times 2012 expected earnings, Potash is a relatively inexpensive way to play the global food crisis. Shares also sport a small 0.5% dividend as well.
As farmers continue to try to drive more and more yield from their crops, Potash will be right in the mix of things. It may not smell all that great, but your portfolio may come up smelling like roses if these trends continue.
ACTION ITEMS:

Bullish:
Traders who believe that potash, nitrogen, and phosphate prices will continue to rise might want to consider the following trades:
• Go long Potash or any of its competitors in this group. That includes CF Industries (NYSE: CF), Mosaic (NYSE: MOS [FREE Stock Trend Analysis]), Agrium (NYSE: AGU), and Terra Nitrogen (NYSE: TNH)
• Another way to play the ongoing food crisis is to play genetically modified crops and seed protection. The best way to play that is through Monsanto (NYSE: MON [FREE Stock Trend Analysis]).
Bearish:
Traders who believe that in the coming years global population will fall, hurting potash prices may consider alternate positions:
• There is a lot of hope and optimism baked into the future earnings of these companies. If there is a development that will allow farmers to increase yield without these nutrients, then these names become viable short candidates.
Neither Benzinga nor its staff recommend that you buy, sell, or hold any security. We do not offer investment advice, personalized or otherwise. Benzinga recommends that you conduct your own due diligence and consult a certified financial professional for personalized advice about your financial situation.
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(c) 2011 Benzinga.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published in its entirety or redistributed without the approval of Benzinga.





Read more: http://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/11/07/1812627/this-fertilizer-stock-came-up-smelling-like-roses#ixzz1TRWGsK3P

-----Original Message-----
From: rmeek607 <[e-mail]>
To: mmte-invest <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thu, Jul 28, 2011 5:44 pm
Subject: Re: [MMTE 2709] Lithium Facts
jeff, thanks this is a great exum. The article from this morning spoke of the increase and the battle going on between Nissan and GM to produce more lithium powered cars. Good news for lithium stck holders.

-----Original Message-----
From: Jeff Flynn <[e-mail]>
To: Mammoth Energy Group <[e-mail]>
Sent: Thu, Jul 28, 2011 3:18 pm
Subject: [MMTE 2703] Lithium Facts
FACTBOX-Five basic facts about lithium

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July 28 | Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:36pm EDT

July 28 (Reuters) - Here are five facts about lithium, a metal in high
demand for lithium-ion batteries as automakers push to get more
electric and hybrid vehicles on the road.

For the full story on new lithium producers looking to crack into the
tight market, click here: [ID:nN1E76Q09O]

* Lithium is the lightest metal, with a density about half that of
water. In its pure form it is extremely corrosive. It ignites on
contact with water and can burn flesh.

* Lithium is primarily used in batteries, ceramics and glass. It is
also used in greases, pharmaceutical compounds, air conditioners,
aluminum production and other industrial applications. Battery demand
growth is expected to outpace other uses, as more electric and hybrid
vehicles take to the street, and grid storage batteries become more
commonplace.

* The world's largest lithium deposit is the Salar de Uyuni in
Bolivia, which covers 10,582 square kilometers (4,086 square miles)
and is estimated to hold 50 to 70 percent of the world's lithium
reserves. Due to Bolivian government restrictions, Uyuni is not
currently being mined.

* Global lithium production is dominated by four companies. In 2011,
Chile's SQM SQMa.SN is expected to produce about 32,800 tonnes of
lithium carbonate equivalent, Australia's Talison Lithium (TLH.TO) is
expected to produce 43,000 tonnes, Rockwood Holdings' (ROC.N)
Chemetall is expected to produce 33,000 tonnes, and U.S.-based FMC
Corporation (FMC.N) is expected to produce 22,000 tonnes.

Sources: Dundee Securities Corporation, Byron Capital Markets, U.S.
Geological Survey. (Reporting by Julie Gordon; editing by Peter
Galloway)