Fertilizer Stocks Whiplash

[Stocks-to-Watch]

Most stocks were caught up in the general sell-off today, but some agriculture stocks, especially fertilizers, saw some of the day’s most impressive rebounds.

Ag stocks lost plenty of ground yesterday, so the relief was welcome.* Mosaic (MOS), for instance, ended the day up 1.5% to $81.31, and gained another 1% after hours, putting it above $82. Yet it traded as low as $75.40 during the trading day.* Last Monday, the shares hit a new 52-week high of $89.24.

Potash (POT) ended the day up 1.4%, to $172.47, nearly $10 above its intraday low of $163.19.* Yet it is nearly $20 lower than it was Feb. 14, when it also hit a fresh 52-week high of $191.90.

Fertilizer names may have benefited as they are more dependent on natural gas, which has yet to spike the way crude oil has.* A suddenly more risk-adverse mood could also have contributed.



Original Article Source by Barrons.com