The Mosaic vs Scotts Miracle-Gro: why the prices moved differently

Weekly · monthly · quarterly news summaries, side by side in time

The Mosaic Company (MOS)

Q3 202616 Jul – 17 Sep 2026

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Mosaic's losses deepen as sulfur shortage cuts phosphate output

Sulfur shortage forces phosphate curtailments A sulfur shortage has fully idled Mosaic's Louisiana phosphate plant and slowed Florida operations, cutting third-quarter phosphate volumes to 1.1–1.4 million tons while sulfur costs jump to about $700–$710 per ton. Less product sold at higher input cost squeezes margins and pushes the stock down.
This is the core operating problem hitting Mosaic's biggest segment and its earnings power.
Q2 swung to a $273 million loss Mosaic posted a $273 million second-quarter net loss, reversing a $411 million profit a year earlier, with an operating loss of $36 million and adjusted EBITDA down to $407 million from $566 million. Phosphate and Fertilizantes both swung to operating losses; only Potash held steady.
The loss is the clearest evidence of how badly current fertilizer conditions are hurting Mosaic's bottom line.
New $450M phosphate plant would add competition CHS and OCP North America proposed a $450 million phosphate plant in Louisiana, the first new U.S. plant of its kind in over 40 years, producing over 1 million tons a year. That would add real competition for Mosaic, the largest U.S. phosphate producer, and pressure future prices.
A new domestic rival threatens Mosaic's dominant position and long-term pricing power.
Debt refinancing buys time but adds cost Mosaic tendered up to $1.4 billion of notes due 2027–2029 and issued $500 million of 5.650% notes due 2034, while also securing a $1 billion term loan, cutting 2026 capex to $1.2 billion and targeting a $300–$500 million working-capital release. This eases near-term liquidity but extends debt at higher coupons.
It shows how Mosaic is managing its balance sheet amid losses — supportive for survival, but not a fix for weak earnings.

August 202616 Jul – 17 Sep 2026

▼3

Mosaic's losses deepen as sulfur shortage cuts phosphate output

Sulfur shortage forces phosphate curtailments A sulfur shortage has fully idled Mosaic's Louisiana phosphate plant and slowed Florida operations, cutting third-quarter phosphate volumes to 1.1–1.4 million tons while sulfur costs jump to about $700–$710 per ton. Less product sold at higher input cost squeezes margins and pushes the stock down.
This is the core operating problem hitting Mosaic's biggest segment and its earnings power.
Q2 swung to a $273 million loss Mosaic posted a $273 million second-quarter net loss, reversing a $411 million profit a year earlier, with an operating loss of $36 million and adjusted EBITDA down to $407 million from $566 million. Phosphate and Fertilizantes both swung to operating losses; only Potash held steady.
The loss is the clearest evidence of how badly current fertilizer conditions are hurting Mosaic's bottom line.
New $450M phosphate plant would add competition CHS and OCP North America proposed a $450 million phosphate plant in Louisiana, the first new U.S. plant of its kind in over 40 years, producing over 1 million tons a year. That would add real competition for Mosaic, the largest U.S. phosphate producer, and pressure future prices.
A new domestic rival threatens Mosaic's dominant position and long-term pricing power.
Debt refinancing buys time but adds cost Mosaic tendered up to $1.4 billion of notes due 2027–2029 and issued $500 million of 5.650% notes due 2034, while also securing a $1 billion term loan, cutting 2026 capex to $1.2 billion and targeting a $300–$500 million working-capital release. This eases near-term liquidity but extends debt at higher coupons.
It shows how Mosaic is managing its balance sheet amid losses — supportive for survival, but not a fix for weak earnings.

Latest16 Jul – 17 Sep 2026

▼3

Mosaic's losses deepen as sulfur shortage cuts phosphate output

Sulfur shortage forces phosphate curtailments A sulfur shortage has fully idled Mosaic's Louisiana phosphate plant and slowed Florida operations, cutting third-quarter phosphate volumes to 1.1–1.4 million tons while sulfur costs jump to about $700–$710 per ton. Less product sold at higher input cost squeezes margins and pushes the stock down.
This is the core operating problem hitting Mosaic's biggest segment and its earnings power.
Q2 swung to a $273 million loss Mosaic posted a $273 million second-quarter net loss, reversing a $411 million profit a year earlier, with an operating loss of $36 million and adjusted EBITDA down to $407 million from $566 million. Phosphate and Fertilizantes both swung to operating losses; only Potash held steady.
The loss is the clearest evidence of how badly current fertilizer conditions are hurting Mosaic's bottom line.
New $450M phosphate plant would add competition CHS and OCP North America proposed a $450 million phosphate plant in Louisiana, the first new U.S. plant of its kind in over 40 years, producing over 1 million tons a year. That would add real competition for Mosaic, the largest U.S. phosphate producer, and pressure future prices.
A new domestic rival threatens Mosaic's dominant position and long-term pricing power.
Debt refinancing buys time but adds cost Mosaic tendered up to $1.4 billion of notes due 2027–2029 and issued $500 million of 5.650% notes due 2034, while also securing a $1 billion term loan, cutting 2026 capex to $1.2 billion and targeting a $300–$500 million working-capital release. This eases near-term liquidity but extends debt at higher coupons.
It shows how Mosaic is managing its balance sheet amid losses — supportive for survival, but not a fix for weak earnings.

Scotts Miracle-Gro Company (SMG)

Q3 202622 Jul – 6 Oct 2026

▲4

Scotts Miracle-Gro: profit guidance up, debt down, buyback and deals on

Full-year profit outlook raised after solid quarter Third-quarter sales rose 1% to $1.17 billion and the company lifted its full-year adjusted profit target to $4.30–$4.45 a share. It is selling more higher-margin branded products and less cheap mulch and soil, and debt fell to 3.78 times earnings from 4.15. Higher profit and less debt support a higher stock price.
This is the core earnings event of the period and directly lifts profit expectations and financial health.
New 2027–2029 targets and $500 million buyback Management set mid-range goals for fiscal 2027–2029: sales growth of 2–4% a year, profit-per-share growth of 5–8%, and better gross margins. It also plans to buy back up to $500 million of stock. Clear growth targets and buybacks give investors more confidence in future value.
Forward targets and buyback plans shape the multi-year outlook that long-term investors care about.
Debt paid down and credit line renewed Scotts redeemed all $250 million of its 5.25% notes due 2026 and renewed a $750 million receivables facility through August 2027. It also started the buyback with $25 million in August. Paying off debt lowers interest costs and risk, which helps the stock.
Debt reduction and renewed credit are concrete capital actions that improve balance-sheet strength.
Black Kow acquisition and new CIO for growth plan Scotts will buy the Black Kow soil brand, adding organic products and expected to boost profit from year one. It also named a new technology chief to modernize systems and use AI. Both support the SMG 2.0 growth strategy, though benefits will take time.
These are new strategic moves that support the company's growth plan and long-term competitiveness.

August 202622 Jul – 6 Oct 2026

▲4

Scotts Miracle-Gro: profit guidance up, debt down, buyback and deals on

Full-year profit outlook raised after solid quarter Third-quarter sales rose 1% to $1.17 billion and the company lifted its full-year adjusted profit target to $4.30–$4.45 a share. It is selling more higher-margin branded products and less cheap mulch and soil, and debt fell to 3.78 times earnings from 4.15. Higher profit and less debt support a higher stock price.
This is the core earnings event of the period and directly lifts profit expectations and financial health.
New 2027–2029 targets and $500 million buyback Management set mid-range goals for fiscal 2027–2029: sales growth of 2–4% a year, profit-per-share growth of 5–8%, and better gross margins. It also plans to buy back up to $500 million of stock. Clear growth targets and buybacks give investors more confidence in future value.
Forward targets and buyback plans shape the multi-year outlook that long-term investors care about.
Debt paid down and credit line renewed Scotts redeemed all $250 million of its 5.25% notes due 2026 and renewed a $750 million receivables facility through August 2027. It also started the buyback with $25 million in August. Paying off debt lowers interest costs and risk, which helps the stock.
Debt reduction and renewed credit are concrete capital actions that improve balance-sheet strength.
Black Kow acquisition and new CIO for growth plan Scotts will buy the Black Kow soil brand, adding organic products and expected to boost profit from year one. It also named a new technology chief to modernize systems and use AI. Both support the SMG 2.0 growth strategy, though benefits will take time.
These are new strategic moves that support the company's growth plan and long-term competitiveness.

Latest22 Jul – 6 Oct 2026

▲4

Scotts Miracle-Gro: profit guidance up, debt down, buyback and deals on

Full-year profit outlook raised after solid quarter Third-quarter sales rose 1% to $1.17 billion and the company lifted its full-year adjusted profit target to $4.30–$4.45 a share. It is selling more higher-margin branded products and less cheap mulch and soil, and debt fell to 3.78 times earnings from 4.15. Higher profit and less debt support a higher stock price.
This is the core earnings event of the period and directly lifts profit expectations and financial health.
New 2027–2029 targets and $500 million buyback Management set mid-range goals for fiscal 2027–2029: sales growth of 2–4% a year, profit-per-share growth of 5–8%, and better gross margins. It also plans to buy back up to $500 million of stock. Clear growth targets and buybacks give investors more confidence in future value.
Forward targets and buyback plans shape the multi-year outlook that long-term investors care about.
Debt paid down and credit line renewed Scotts redeemed all $250 million of its 5.25% notes due 2026 and renewed a $750 million receivables facility through August 2027. It also started the buyback with $25 million in August. Paying off debt lowers interest costs and risk, which helps the stock.
Debt reduction and renewed credit are concrete capital actions that improve balance-sheet strength.
Black Kow acquisition and new CIO for growth plan Scotts will buy the Black Kow soil brand, adding organic products and expected to boost profit from year one. It also named a new technology chief to modernize systems and use AI. Both support the SMG 2.0 growth strategy, though benefits will take time.
These are new strategic moves that support the company's growth plan and long-term competitiveness.