The saga of what is happening with CF Industries (NYSE: CF - News) took another turn today as Agrium (NYSE: AGU - News) boosted the cash component of its offer by 10% (from $31.70 to $35), which will add $160 million to its bid (from $72 to $75). Terra (NYSE: TRA - News), meanwhile, has rejected CF Industries' offer to take over the company, and a hostile effort will ensue at the next board meeting at CF Industries.
Right now, it is cheaper to buy than build fertilizer assets, and hence the flurry of M&A activity. (This makes one wonder if this could be a market-wide issue, as stock prices are depressed.) Fertilizer prices are mixed, as farmers are waiting for the results of the USDA acreage survey, which will occur next Tuesday.
Right now, our feeling is that Agrium will prevail and CF Industries will be eaten. The company has a fiduciary responsibility to do the best for its shareholders, who are undoubtedly looking for the best exit strategy possible after the market collapse last year.
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