Based on the aggregated intelligence of 145,000-plus investors participating in Motley Fool CAPS, the Fool's free investing community, Latin fertilizer giant Chemical & Mining Co. of Chile (NYSE:SQM) has earned a coveted five-star ranking.

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

SQM facts

Headquarters (Founded)

Santiago, Chile (1968)

Market Cap

$10.4 billion

Industry

Fertilizers and agricultural chemicals

Trailing-12-Month Revenue

$1.45 billion

Management

CEO Patricio Contesse (since 1990)
CFO Ricardo Ramos (since 1994)

Return on Equity (Average, Past 3 Years)

24.5%

Cash / Debt

$485.1 million / $1.2 billion

Dividend Yield

3.2%

Competitors

Terra Industries (NYSE:TRA)
Agrium (NYSE:AGU)

CAPS Members Bullish on SQM Also Bullish on

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

CAPS Members Bearish on SQM Also Bearish on

Mosaic (NYSE:MOS)
First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR)

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

On CAPS, 97.8% of the 1,157 members who have rated SQM believe the stock will outperform the S&P 500 going forward. These bulls include KnockoutMouse and All-Star DarthMaul09, who is ranked in the top 2% of our community.

Two months ago, KnockoutMouse kindly reminded Fools that SQM "is a play on the coming transition from oil-based transportation to battery power." Our CAPS member explains: "SQM, while officially listed as a fertilizer company, is [also] the world's largest producer of lithium, and it is lithium batteries that are going to power the next generation of hybrids and electric vehicles. Well managed, with high ROE and profit margins, low debt, and it pays a dividend."

In a pitch from last month, DarthMaul09 helped fertilize that sentiment:

Chile's economy is good and well managed. The company produces items that will stay in demand because they have value for food and energy production. As currencies around the world get devalued, especially the US dollar, commodity prices will be supported and be viewed as better store of wealth. They are also a major [lithium] producer ... so there may be some speculative potential in this stock as well.

What do you think about SQM, 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!