Agrium (NYSE: AGU) 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.
