Agrium News

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About two weeks ago we noted Potash looked poised to breakout [ Nov 17, 2009: Potash Could be on Verge of Breakout ] over a "double top" of $106, which it began doing within hours .

The following stocks were among those that moved substantially or traded heavily Tuesday on the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Market: NYSE: Talbots Inc., up $1.02 at $8.23 The women's specialty retailer made money in the third quarter on trimmed expenses and a smaller loss from discontinued operations.

UBS upgraded fertilizer producer Agrium Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!agu /quotes/nls/agu to buy from neutral, saying that producers and dealers are reporting strong demand, despite a shorter fall season.

CF Industries Holdings Inc. increased its offer to acquire rival Terra Industries Inc.

Among the companies whose shares are expected to see active trade in Monday's session are AsiaInfo, Cinemark, Dow Chemical, Daimler, McDermott and Terra.

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REGINA a ' Incentives have been introduced for Saskatchewan's potash industry to encourage the creation of more corporate office jobs in the province.

Another day of strong gains in mining stocks helped the Toronto stock market add to the previous session's major upswing, despite a disappointing report on U.S. job losses.

Stock prices were mixed Wednesday after the Federal Reserve reported that eight of the 12 districts reported that economic conditions have improved since mid-October. The Dow Jones Industrial Average - up 125 points on Tuesday - fell 18.90 points to 10,452.68. The Nasdaq composite index gained 9.22 points to 2185.03 and the S&P 500 stock index rose ...

The Toronto stock market appears headed for a slightly lower open Wednesday after chalking up a solid advance in the previous session as oil prices slipped and investors took in some key U.S. employment data.

Agrium Inc. has expanded retail operations in Texas and New Mexico with the acquisition of 24 retail outlets from Agriliance.

Canadian stocks fell, led by producers of raw-materials and energy, as commodity prices declined after the U.S. said the economy grew slower than previously estimated.

Nortel puts GSM business on auction block after delay Another piece of the former Nortel Networks Corp.

Earlier this month, we saw a big development in the ongoing takeover saga that DealBook has dubbed the "Forever War." CF Industries , which finds itself in the sights of Agrium , sweetened its bid for Terra Industries by including a significant cash component.

"It could become a huge strategic factor in where companies locate their operations," said Neil Shelly, executive director of Alberta's Industrial Heartland Association, which represents four municipalities surrounding Edmonton.

Terra Industries Inc., the nitrogen-fertilizer producer, said it rejected a revised takeover offer made by CF Industries Holdings Inc.

This morning, TD Newcrest downgraded shares of Agrium from Buy to Hold as the likelihood of a Terra Industries and CF Industries merger increases.

Terra Industries Inc. shareholders elected a slate of three board nominees backed by CF Industries Holdings Inc.

The Saskatchewan Party government's changes to the potash tax regime will help the two biggest players in the provincial industry,, but could put a damper on new development by other companies, said Agrium, itself a significant potash producer in Saskatchewan.