LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / September 27, 2017 / Pro-Trader Daily takes a closer look at Agrium Inc. (NYSE: AGU) as the Company's stock will begin trading ex-dividend on September 28, 2017. To capture the dividend payout, investors must purchase the stock a day prior to the ex-dividend date that is by latest at the end of the trading session on September 27, 2017. Are you looking for research on dividend stocks, if so register with us now for your free membership at:

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Dividend Declared

On August 10, 2017, Agrium's Board of Directors announced that it has approved a dividend of $0.875 US per common share to be paid on October 19, 2017, to shareholders of record on September 29, 2017.

Agrium's indicated dividend represents a yield of 3.24%, which is substantially above the average dividend yield of 2.36% for the Basic Materials sector. The Company has raised its dividend for five consecutive years.

Dividend Insights

Agrium has a dividend payout ratio of 71.1%, which reflects that it distributes approximately $0.71 for every $1.00 earned. The dividend payout ratio reflects how much amount a company is returning to shareholders versus how much money it is keeping on hand to reinvest in growth, to pay off debt, and/or to add to its cash reserves.

According to analysts' estimates, Agrium is forecasted to report earnings of $5.81 per share in the coming year, which means that the Company should be able to comfortably cover its annualized dividend of $3.50.

As of June 30, 2017, Agrium had cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments worth $319 million compared to cash of $412 million as of December 31, 2016. The Company's net cash provided by operating activities totaled $63 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017, compared to operating cash flows of $438 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The Company's strong financial position indicates its ability to absorb any fluctuations in earnings and cash flow and to sustain the dividend distribution for a long period of time.

Recent Development for Agrium

On September 11, 2017, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) and Agrium announced that the Canadian Competition Bureau (CCB) has granted unconditional regulatory approval for the proposed merger of equals by issuing a no-action letter dated September 11, 2017.

The CCB concluded that the proposed transaction is not likely to lead to a substantial lessening or prevention of competition with respect to potash fertilizer, phosphate fertilizers and nitric acid. The CCB found that global prices of potash are correlated with prices in Canada and that customers can source potash from multiple suppliers. The issuance of the no-action letter satisfies the Canadian regulatory condition of closing of the proposed merger of equals transaction.

The companies had earlier received unconditional clearance for the merger in both Brazil and Russia. The regulatory review and approval process continues in the US, China, and India and the parties expect to close the transaction by the end of Q4 2017.

About Agrium

Agrium is a major global producer and distributor of agricultural products, services, and solutions. The Company produces nitrogen, potash, and phosphate fertilizers, with a combined wholesale nutrient capacity of approximately eleven million tonnes and with significant competitive advantages across our product lines. Agrium supplies key products and services directly to growers, including crop nutrients, crop protection, seed, as well as agronomic and application services. Agrium retail-distribution has an unmatched network of approximately 1,500 facilities and over 3,300 crop consultants who provide advice and products to its grower-customers to help them increase their yields and returns on hundreds of different crops.

Stock Performance

At the closing bell, on Tuesday, September 26, 2017, Agrium's stock fell slightly by 0.49%, ending the trading session at $107.50. A total volume of 291.91 thousand shares have exchanged hands. The Company's stock price surged 16.67% in the last three months, 12.92% in the past six months, and 18.99% in the previous twelve months. Moreover, the stock gained 6.91% since the start of the year. The stock is trading at a PE ratio of 25.89 and has a dividend yield of 3.26%. The stock currently has a market cap of $14.80 billion.

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