Based on the aggregated intelligence of 140,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, salt and fertilizer producer Compass Minerals International (NYSE:CMP) has earned a respected four-star ranking.

With that in mind, let's take a closer look at Compass' business and see what CAPS investors are saying about the stock right now.

Compass facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Overland Park, Kan. (1993)

Market Cap

$1.88 billion

Industry

Diversified metals and mining

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$1.09 billion

Management

CEO Angelo Brisimitzakis (since 2006)
CFO Rodney Underdown (since 2002)

Return on Capital (Average, Past 3 Years)

23%

Cash / Debt

$66.3 million / $492.7 million

Dividend Yield

2.5%

Competitors

Mosaic (NYSE:MOS)
Agrium (NYSE:AGU)
Intrepid Potash (NYSE:IPI)

CAPS Members Bullish on CMP Also Bullish on

PotashCorp (NYSE:POT)
Vale (NYSE:VALE)

CAPS Members Bearish on CMP Also Bearish on

Citigroup (NYSE:C)

Sources: Capital IQ (a division of Standard & Poor's) and Motley Fool CAPS.

On CAPS, 97.1% of the 582 members who have rated Compass believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include matt66fool and TMFmrquakeroats.

Earlier this summer, matt66fool explained why Compass points north:

Good portfolio -- winter dependent salt business to balance weak fertilizer business now. A cyclical commodity with great margins. Strong cash generator -- will continue to lower debt burden. ... Solid long term investment.

In a pitch from just yesterday, TMFmrquakeroats elaborates on the stock as a healthy way to up your sodium intake:

[Compass] seems to have a wide moat as a low cost producer of salt. The wide moat is the result of short transport distances from salt mines. All of their mines are located close to major waterways which lowers truck transportation cost. This is a huge advantage over competition. This sustainable competitive advantage allows [Compass] to generate steady, healthy levels of free cash flow. The stock pays a nice dividend. The PE is around 10 -- attractive but not cheap.

What do you think about Compass, or any other stock for that matter? Make your voice heard on Motley Fool CAPS today. The CAPS community is waiting to hear your opinions. CAPS is 100% free, so get started!