Potash Can't Harvest Results; Coal In A Downer; Groceries Over-Ripe (at Barron's Online)

News and commentary about the stocks you need to know about today Potash Can’t Harvest Results; Coal In A Downer; Groceries Over-Ripe AG COMMODITIES STUMBLE AGAIN Agricultural materials producers, thwarted by reduced prices for oil and agricultural commodities, accelerated their recent declines in Thursday’s trading. That’s contributed to the broad weakness in the equities market, as it’s deprived the averages of one of its stalwart groups of 2008. More frustratingly, it’s prevented some names from exploiting tremendously constructive quarterly results. Shares of Potash (POT) surrendered modest intraday gains, and amidst a choppy session, have moved back to opening levels. That’s given it little leverage to second-quarter earnings of $2.82 a share that beat forecasts by 21 cents. Its gross margins increased … by 240%.... [read full story]