Barclays Previews Potash (NYSE:POT), Earnings Below Consensus

In an earnings preview of Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT), Barclays (NYSE:BCS) sees them coming in significantly below consensus.

Barclays says, "Potash Corp will report Q4 2010 results before market open on January 27, 2011. We are forecasting earnings of $1.53/sh versus consensus of $1.64/sh...Potash: Price Increases Start Trickling In: We are expecting potash pricing to improve in Q4 over Q3 levels as December sales should reflect the $50/ton price increase announced in North America in September...Phosphates: Margin Expansion Hampered by Rising Costs: With rising finished phosphate and feed prices we expect POT will realize significantly better phosphate prices in Q4 over Q3 levels...Nitrogen: Strong Pricing in the Quarter: With nitrogen shortages driving higher prices, we expect POT to realize significantly better nitrogen pricing in Q4 over Q3 levels."

Barclays reiterates an "Overweight" rating on Potash Corp. (POT), which was trading at $162.76, down $2.36, or 1.43 percent, as of 2:14 PM EST. Barclays has a price target of $165 on Potash.