Agrium Posts Record Net in Q4

Agrium has reported its Q4 and 2012 results. For the quarter, sales came in at $3.26 billion, up from the $3.18 billion of the same period the previous year. Net earnings notched an all-time high at $354 million ($2.34 per diluted share), an 83% improvement from Q4 2011's $193 million ($1.20).

The most recent quarter's bottom line was higher than the $1.50-$1.90 that had previously expected, and also edged out the average analyst estimate of $2.00. The market had anticipated $3.18 billion in sales.

For the full year, top line was $16.69 billion, against 2011's $15.47 billion. Net advanced by 9% on a year-over-year basis to just under $1.50 billion.

Agrium also declared a dividend of $0.50 per share of its common stock. This matches the company's previous distribution, and will be paid on April 18 to stockholders of record as of March 28.

The article Agrium Posts Record Net in Q4 originally appeared on Fool.com.

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