11:46 AM EST - Agrium Inc. : Reported its second-quarter net earnings were $506 million U.S. or $3.20 U.S. per share, up from $370 million U.S., or $2.35 U.S. per share, for the same quarter of 2009. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report earnings of $2.76 U.S. per share for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items. Expenses were $16 million U.S. lower in the second quarter of 2010 compared to the same period last year largely due to a $57-million U.S. increase in other income. This increase was primarily driven by a recovery in stock-based compensation, partially offset by a $38-million U.S. increase in selling expense primarily for Retail, the company said. Agrium Inc.
shares T.AGU are trading up $1.74 at $66.82.
