IAMGOLD (IAG) (KWK) (CQP) (DEE) (LNT) (MOS) (NOV) (SDRL) (SNP) (TRGP) Upgraded

IAMGOLD Corp. (IAG), Quicksilver Resources Inc. (KWK), Cheniere Energy Partners LP (CQP), Delphi Energy Corp. (DEE), Alliant Energy (LNT), The Mosaic Company (MOS), National-Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NOV), Seadrill Ltd (SDRL), China Petroleum and Chemical (SNP) and Targa Resources Investments Inc. (TRGP) were upgraded by analysts.

Barclays Capital upgraded Cheniere Energy Partners L P (CQP) from an "Equal Weight" rating to an "Overweight" rating. They have a price target of $25.00 on the company.

Canaccord Genuity upgraded Delphi Energy Corp. (DEE) from a "Sell" rating to a "Speculative Buy" rating.

BMO Capital Markets upgraded IAMGOLD Corp. (IAG) from a "Market Perform" rating to an "Outperform" rating.

Macquarie upgraded Quicksilver Resources (KWK) from an "Underperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating. They have a price target of $2.50 on the company.

Ladenburg Thalmann upgraded Alliant Energy (LNT) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Standpoint Research upgraded The Mosaic Company (MOS) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Standpoint Research upgraded National-Oilwell Varco, Inc. (NOV) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating. They have a price target of $82.00 on the company.

Credit Suisse upgraded Seadrill Ltd (SDRL) from a "Neutral" rating to an "Outperform" rating. They have a price target of $48.00 on the company.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) upgraded China Petroleum and Chemical (SNP) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

UBS AG upgraded STMicroelectronics (STM) from a "Sell" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Tudor Pickering upgraded Targa Resources Investments Inc. (TRGP) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating.

RRI (GEN) (MOS) (NRG) (ROSE) (SLB) (VLO) (WLL) Upgraded by Analysts

Several commodity companies were upgraded by analysts Monday, including RRI Energy, Inc. (GEN), The Mosaic Company (MOS), NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG), Rosetta Resources Inc. (ROSE), Schlumberger (SLB), Valero Energy Co. (VLO) and Whiting Petroleum Co. (WLL).

Macquarie upgraded RRI Energy, Inc. (GEN) from a "Neutral" rating to an "Outperform" rating.

UBS AG (NYSE: UBS) upgraded RRI Energy, Inc. (GEN) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Barclays Capital upgraded RRI Energy, Inc. (GEN) from an "Equalweight" rating to an "Overweight" rating.

Citigroup (NYSE: C) upgraded The Mosaic Company (MOS) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating. They raised their price from $62.00 $66.00 on the company.

Barclays Capital upgraded NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG) from an "Equalweight" rating to an "Overweight" rating.

Tudor Pickering upgraded Rosetta Resources Inc. (ROSE) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Argus upgraded Schlumberger (SLB) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating. They placed a price target of $85.00 on the company.

UBS upgraded AG Valero Energy Co. (VLO) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Susquehanna upgraded Whiting Petroleum Co. (WLL) "Neutral" rating to a "Positive" rating.

Agrium (AGU) (MOS) (MS) (YARIY) (SASR) (FRT) Ratings, Price Targets

Agrium Inc. (AGU), The Mosaic Company (MOS), Morgan Stanley (MS), Yara International ASA (YARIY), Sandy Spring Bancorp Inc. (SASR) and Realty Investment Trust (FRT) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. downgraded Agrium Inc. (AGU) to a "Neutral" rating.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded The Mosaic Company (MOS) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Overweight" rating.

RBC Capital upgraded Morgan Stanley (MS) from a "Underperform" rating to a "Sector Perform" rating.

ING Group upgraded Yara International ASA (YARIY) from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Janney Montgomery Scott downgraded Sandy Spring Bancorp Inc. (SASR) from a "Buy" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Cowen Federal Realty Inv. Trust (FRT) from a "Underperform" rating to a "Neutral" rating.

Mosaic (MOS) (RIGL) (URBN) (URS) (BCS) (CASC) Ratings, Price Targets

The Mosaic Company (MOS), Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RIGL), Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN), URS Co. (URS), Cascade Co. (CASC) and Barclays Capital (BCS) had ratings and price targets on them adjusted by analysts.

The Mosaic Company (MOS) was upgraded by Canaccord Genuity from a "Hold" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (RIGL) was upgraded by Citigroup (C) from a "Neutral" rating to a "Buy" rating.

Urban Outfitters, Inc. (URBN) was upgraded by BMO Capital Markets from a "Market Perform" rating to an "Outperform" rating.

URS Co. (URS) was upgraded by Robert W. Baird from a "Neutral" rating to an "Outperform" rating. They raised their price target from $40.00 to $55.00 on the company.

Barclays Capital (BCS) was downgraded by Macquarie from a "Neutral" rating to an "Underperform" rating

Cascade Co. (CASC) was downgraded by Global Hunter Securities from a "Buy" rating to an "Accumulate" rating.

Potash (POT) (CF) (MOS) (AGU) (MON) (DE) Jump on Record Corn Futures

Potash (NYSE:POT), CF Industries (NYSE:CF), Mosaic (NYSE:MOS), Agrium (NYSE:AGU) and Monsanto (NYSE:MON) close up as corn futures settle at record price.

Also climbing was Deere & Co. (NYSE:DE), as the manufacturer of farm, turf and lawn equipment usually moves up on positive agriculture news.

Corn futures soared to a new settlement price record, with the July front-month contract rising 21 cents, or 2.8 percent, to settle at $7.854 a bushel on the Chicago Board of Trade. It reached as high as $7.93 before pulling back.

Lower acreage planted in the U.S., rising demand from China, and weather-related crop damage is pushing the price of corn up.

Wasting corn supply on ethanol is also weighing on the corn equation.

Potash closed Thursday at $55.36, gaining $2.12, or 3.98 percent. CF Industries closed at $154.86, soaring $6.24, or 4.20 percent. Mosaic closed at $68.84, rising $3.18, or 4.84 percent. Agrium ended the day at $84.71, jumping $2.76, or 3.37 percent. Monsanto closed at $69.51, up $1.89, or 2.80 percent. Deere closed at $82.00, increasing $2.04, or 2.55 percent.

Ratings on (MOS) (POT) (RDN) (TOL) (TZOO) Upgraded

Ratings on The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS), Potash Corp (NYSE: POT), Radian Group Inc. (NYSE: RDN), Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE: TOL) and Travelzoo Inc. (NASDAQ: TZOO) were upgraded by analysts.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) upgraded The Mosaic Company (MOS) from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They have a price target of $85.00 on the company.

Citigroup upgraded Potash Corp (POT) from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating. They have a price target of $67.00 on the company.

Piper Jaffray (NYSE:PJC) upgraded Radian Group Inc. (RDN) from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating.

JMP Securities upgraded Toll Brothers, Inc. (TOL) from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating.

Morgan Keegan upgraded Travelzoo Inc. (NASDAQ:TZOO) from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating. They have a price target of $101.00 on the company.

Citigroup (C) Likes (MOS) (POT) in Fertilizers

Fertilizer companies are getting a more bullish outlook from Citigroup (NYSE:C), as Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT) and Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) are considered to be desirable at this time because of attractive valuations and stronger fundamentals, according to Citigroup analyst P.J. Juvekar.

Particularly noted by Juvekar was the was declining fertilizer exports from China and sustainable pricing strength.

Juvekar wrote in a note to clients, “According to the USDA farm income is expected to increase 20% this year, which should incentivize farmers to fully fertilize this fall. High commodity prices and the relatively gradual pace of fertilizer price increases have reduced the share of revenue that growers need to spend on fertilizers. The USDA estimates that this share will decline to 10.3% this year, well below the recent peak of 12.1% in 2008. This suggests that farmers have the financial wherewithal to absorb current fertilizer prices and even potentially higher prices, should crop prices remain elevated.”

Short term there appears to be little concern over lower utilization rates because of wet and cooler weather, as well as lower acreage planted, for corn. Over the long term it's considered a positive for the sector.

He raised his ratings on both companies from a "Hold" to a "Buy." Price targets on Potash was boosted to $67, while Mosaic was increased to $85.

CF (CF) Gets Fertilized by JPMorgan (JPM)

CF Industries Holdings Inc (NYSE: CF) got some rating fertilizer from JPMorgan (NYSE:JPM) and shares in the company soared.

JPMorgan upgraded CF from a "Neutral" rating to an "Overweight" rating, placing a price target of $170 on the fertilizer company.

The overall sector received a boost, which also helped CF, as Citibank (NYSE:C) said they see the industry being able to successfully raise fertilizer prices, which will also help CF competitors Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT), Agrium (NYSE:AGU) and Mosaic (NYSE:MOS).

For CF specifically, JPMorgan said the positive outlook for the agriculture sector and the healthy cash flow of CF is the catalyst behind their upgrade.

Higher crop prices should stimulate the fertilizer sector and open farmers' wallets without too much trepidation.

CF Industries closed Monday at $147.75, soaring $8.69, or 6.25 percent.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) Going Bull on Monsanto (NYSE:MON), Potash (NYSE:POT) and Mosaic (NYSE:MOS)

Citing the support for corn prices of over $5 a bushel, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) said they like the overall agriculture sector, and believe Monsanto (NYSE:MON), Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT) and Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) are undervalued.

With China changing their tariff policy lately, Morgan Stanley also sees the possibility of the price of fertilizer rising soon.

Morgan says corn prices should retain support over $5 a bushel, with earnings for 2011 and 2012 reaching $2.01 a bushel, an increase from the $1.52 a bushel generated in 2010-2011.

BHP (NYSE:BHP) May Get Rival Bid for Potash (NYSE:POT) from Russian Company

The more you hear about the opposition to BHP's (NYSE:BHP) bid for Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT), the more you realize it's a good thing, and you check under the more carefully as to why there is such an uproar over a simple bid for the company.

It has largely to do with the misguided partnership of the province of Saskatchewan with Potash, where the Canpotex cartel wrongly manipulates prices and supply in order to maintain the prices and margins they want.

They have a major competitor in the Belarusian Canpotex cartel as well, although they seem to work closely in unison as far as pricing and supply goes, effectively controlling the overall global market.

This is why Phosagro, a Russian-based company has emerged out of nowhere as a potential bidder for Potash, as they recognize the threat to the control of potash from BHP Billiton.

Phosagro's chairman, Vladimir Litvinenko, said, "If BHP controls the potash market, the consequences for our producers may be serious ... we can lose part of [our] markets. This is obvious."

This is also the reason Saskatchewan has been opposing the bid, as they have a sweetheart royalty deal with Canpotex over potash produced in the province, and the also see BHP as a detriment to their siphoning off of billions from the above-market prices and royalties generated from the cartel.

Why this is a threat is because BHP doesn't like the cartel mentality and obvious socialist way the consortium is being operated, and have publicly stated they will produce potash at the rate they choose to and charge competitive prices, not what the other members of the cartel want them to charge, which include Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) and Agrium (NYSE:AGU).

The bottom line? BHP would be good for the industry which has been silently controlling the price of potash, which by extension, controls, to a certain degree, the price of the crops that use the fertilizer.

BHP would be one of the best things to happen to the industry if they are allowed to go forward with the bid and take charge of Potash Corp.

Mosaic (NYSE:MOS), CF (NYSE:CF) Will Benefit from Fertilizer Price Increases says Barclays (NYSE:BCS)

The increase in the price of corn and soybeans has been a gamechanger in the fertilizer industry, and Barclays (NYSE:BCS) sees CF Industries (NYSE:CF) and Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) benefiting strongly from it.

Barclays expects and especially strong move from CF Industries, raising their price target on them from $105 to $130 over the next year, and for Mosaic, they raised the price target on them from $60 to $69.

For CF, Barclays sees them driven by higher raising nitrogen prices, increasing estimates for CF from $264 a ton to $296 a ton and its 2011 estimate from $257 to $288. The firms 2010 average phosphate price estimate was increased from $410 to $494 and its 2011 estimate raised from $408 to $474.

Concerning phosphate prices for Mosaic, Barclays boosted their 2011 and 2012 phosphate price estimate from $451 and $433 to $480 and $476.

CF closed Monday at $121.39, losing $1.14, or 0.93 percent. Mosaic closed down at $72.33, falling $0.83, or 1.13 percent.

Potash,(NYSE:POT), Agrium (NYSE:AGU), Mosaic's (NYSE:MOS) Canpotex Marketing Arm Lands Five Year Indian Deal

The Canpotex monopoly and price-fixing entity of Canada, which includes Potash,(NYSE:POT), Agrium (NYSE:AGU) and Mosaic (NYSE:MOS), have landed a five-year deal to supply 3 million tons of potash to India's Coromandel International Ltd.

Canpotex CEO Steve Dechka said, "This agreement confirms Canpotex's long-term commitment to the important Indian market, and reflects the confidence our Indian partner, CIL, has in Canpotex's ability to meet their growing potash requirements."

Terms of the deal call for a 500,000 annual supply through March 31, 2016.

Opposition to the bid from BHP (NYSE:BHP) is largely based on their commitment to produce potash at market rates rather than the price controls of the Canpotex cartel.

Farmers pay higher prices and food is also higher in price because of Canpotex and the Belarusian potash cartel.

Hopefully the Canadian government will resist politically-based opposition and allow the bid by BHP Billiton to go forward, as it would be good for the industry and markets.

BHP (NYSE:BHP) Bid for Potash (NYSE:POT) Close to Being Decided

Excluding market factors, the bid by BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP) bid for Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT) is coming to a head, as the Canadian government is pouring over the details to decide whether to allow the deal to go ahead.

The province of Saskatchewan, which has been in emotional hysterics since the bid by BHP, has continued on with their strange behavior in their opposition to the bid, pressuring the Canadian government to stop the deal from going forward.

The government responded by saying they'll perform their "own analysis" on the bid, which they have until November 3 to make a decision on.

Saskatchewan has shamelessly asserted the deal will cost the province billions if BHP wins the bid, even though outside studies have shown that not to be the case as time goes on, although it could, in the short term, result in lower tax revenue for the region.

"Obviously there is a process involved and the test that we employ under the Investment Canada Act is the net benefit to Canada test," said industry minister Clement.

It would be surprising to see a decision made against BHP, but stranger things have happened.

Other than Saskatchewan, there doesn't seem to be widespread opposition to the takeover, other than from other Canpotex participants Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) and Agrium (NYSE:AGU), who don't what to see their monopoly broken up if BHP wins the bid and decides to produce the fertilizer at the rate the choose and not controlled production to maintain prices, and thus, margins.

Citigroup Raises Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) on Florida Lawsuit, BHP's (NYSE:BHP) Potash (NYSE:POT) Bid

Citigroup (NYSE:C) upgraded fertilizer company Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) from "Hold" to "BUY," citing improving conditions around a Florida lawsuit and the possibility of a higher bid by BHP (NYSE:BHP) for Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT).

The lawsuit is in relationship to a phosphate mine in Hardee County, Florida, which had a court issue a preliminary injunction against them, forbidding them to mine at this time.

Mosaic requested a stay on the order, which allow portions of the mine to be operational in 2011.

Citigroup analyst P.J. Juvekar said it's possible a ruling could be more favorable than that, and could be more long term for Mosaic. That would allow them to produce phosphate at lower prices.

The other factor is the potential acquisition of Potash Corp. by BHP Billiton, which will probably result in a higher bid by BHP for the fertilizer giant. That should result in a good boost for Mosaic when it happens.

Mosaic closed at $67.12, gaining $2.75, or 4.27 percent. Citigroup increased their price target on Mosaic from $64 to $78.

Potash (NYSE:POT), Mosaic (NYSE:MOS), Agrium (NYSE:AGU) Sign 3-Year Deal with Sinofert via Canpotex

Potash (NYSE:POT), Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) and Agrium (NYSE:AGU) signed a 3-year deal with China-based fertilizer giant Sinofert Holdings, via Canpotex, the marketing and pricing arm of the three companies.

Terms of the deal are for a minimum of 3.15 million tons of potash to be delivered over a three-year period, with pricing to be negotiated at six-month intervals.

The deal begins on January 1, 2011 and extends through December 31, 2013.

With the probability of supply challenges in the years ahead, China and other Asian countries will be beneficial to fertilizer suppliers for some time to come, as demand will eventually outpace supply.

Potash Corp. supplies over 53 percent of the potash sold by Canpotex.

Citigroup (NYSE:C) Likes What they See in Mosaic (NYSE:MOS)

Citigroup (NYSE:C) sees a lot of potential in Mosaic Company (NYSE:MOS), as they raised their rating on them from "Hold" to "Buy," while also pushing up the price target from $64 to $78.

The overall agriculture sector's strength was a major part of the impetus behind Citigroup's move, but they also feel Mosaic will benefit strongly from the BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP) bid for Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT), especially if they end up increasing their bid for the fertilizer company.

Strong corn and soybean prices have changed the agriculture outlook for the next year or so, with expectations farmers will spend more money on their crops to improve yields because of potentially higher margins.

Mosaic is trading at $67.51, gaining $3.14, or 4.88 percent as of 12:57 PM EDT.

When will Potash, (NYSE:POT), CF Industries (NYSE:CF), Mosaic (NYSE:MOS), Agrium (NYSE:AGU) and Intrepid Potash (NYSE:IPI) Cool Off?

The agriculture sector was hit with two major catalyst in the a similar period of time, giving companies like Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan (NYSE:POT), CF Industries (NYSE:CF), Mosaic (NYSE:MOS), Agrium (NYSE:AGU) and Intrepid Potash (NYSE:IPI) a big boost in share price.

It began when BHP (NYSE:BHP) made their $130 a share bid for Potash Corp. Then the confirmation came that corn and soybean yields would be far below prior estimates.

With the industry propped up from BHP's bid and assumptions some consolidation may start to happen, along with corn and soybean prices soaring, share prices of these companies and others connected to agriculture rose significantly.

Prices for all the companies mentioned above have soared since August.

Depending on if investors believe commodity prices are driving the move or the bid by BHP is the key factor, will determine how they are played. More than likely it's a combination of both. And depending on whether or not BHP is given the okay to take over Potash will decide how much of a factor that played in the sector.

At minimum if they are rejected, will see some pull back in the stocks. If they go forward, they could continue their upward climb for some time.

Another element is how much this will affect the price offered by BHP. They may have to push it up to somewhere in-between the existing share price of Potash and the $130 bid.

BHP's (NYSE:BHP) Potash (NYSE:POT) Bid Opposed Because of Canpotex?

Although there has been increasing concern over the control of the potash industry by a couple of major players, including Canpotex and Belarusian Potash, it's puzzling as to why there hasn't been more support for BHP's (NYSE:BHP) bid for Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT), as they've stated they want to pull out of the monopoly once the existing agreements expire.

That raised a firestorm in Canada and among other Canpotex members Agrium (NYSE:AGU) and Mosaic (NYSE:MOS), who have been controlling prices for a long time.

You would think there would be a rally on behalf of BHP. Some think BHP would stay in Canpotex once they controlled Potash, but I don't think so.

In the past BHP has been known for moving according to market conditions of supply and demand and not holding back in order to push up the price of potash to protect margins and earnings.

So farmers and consumers would strongly benefit from a BHP takeover of Potash, and hopefully this part of the story will get out more before the foolish and irresponsible leaders of Potash go the Chinese to protect them from the BHP bid.

Terra Nitrogen, (NYSE:TNH), CF Industries (NYSE:CF), Syngenta and Higher Corn Prices

Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. (NYSE:TNH), CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:CF) and Syngenta AG (NYSE:SYT) all moved up strongly on Monday as the market digested the lower estimates related to corn, soybeans and wheat, and especially corn and soybeans, whose estimates were lowered by over 20 percent each.

CF Industries and Terra were both up over three percent, while Syngenta moved up over 1 percent on the day.

Much of the agriculture sector increased in share price on Monday, including most farming equipment makers, fertilizer companies and some seed companies, including Monsanto (NYSE:MON).

Larger fertilizer companies like Potash (NYSE:POT), Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) and Agrium (NYSE:AGU) went positive, all up over 1.5 percent, with Agrium finishing up over 2.3 percent.

Syngenta AG moved up at the levels of Potash and Mosaic, closing the day at $53.81, up $0.72, or 1.36 percent. Terra Nitrogen closed the session at $106.52, rising $3.12, or 3.02 percent. CF Industries ended the day at $113.45, gaining $3.55, or 3.23 percent.

Agrium (AGU), Potash (NYSE:POT), Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) Soar on Lower WASDE Estimates

Agrium (AGU), Potash (NYSE:POT), Mosaic (NYSE:MOS) all surged today after the release of estimates from WASDE showed corn yields area significantly lower than their recent estimate.

UBS (NYSE:UBS) said they are maintaining their "Buy" rating on Agrium Inc. also citing WASDE estimates. Agrium had the price target raised from $82 to $95.

"WASDE released its latest agriculture estimates this morning (Monday) which we believe indicate an improving agricultural market. Specifically, projected corn production for 2010/11 is down with the projected national corn yield of 155.8 bushels/acre significantly below the previous projection of 162.5 bushels/acre ... We have revised our 2011/2012 EPS estimates from $6.70/6.57 to $6.92/6.60 to reflect stronger fertilizer pricing and fundamentals," said UBS.

Agrium closed Monday at $83, gaining $1.92, or 2.37 percent. Mosaic ended the session at $66.32, an rising $1.02, or 1.55 percent. Potash continues its climb, closing the day at $147.48, an increase of $1.68, or 1.15 percent.