Listed: TSX, NYSE
Symbol: POT
SASKATOON, July 31, 2013 /CNW/ - Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) announced today that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the TSX) has approved PotashCorp's previously announced share repurchase program to purchase for cancellation up to 43,345,992 common shares, representing 5 percent of its outstanding common shares, over a one-year period through a normal course issuer bid subject to a maximum aggregate amount of US$2 billion.
Repurchases under the program may commence on August 2, 2013 and will terminate not later than August 1, 2014. There were 866,919,856 common shares outstanding as at July 30, 2013. Common shares repurchased under the program will be cancelled.
Purchases under the program may be made through the facilities of the TSX, the New York Stock Exchange or alternative trading platforms in Canada or the United States by means of open market transactions or by such other means as may be permitted by the TSX and applicable U.S. securities laws. The price PotashCorp will pay for any common shares will be the market price at the time of purchase or such other price as may be permitted by applicable regulatory requirements. The actual number of common shares that may be repurchased under the program and the timing of any such repurchases will be determined in the discretion of PotashCorp and will be subject to the limitations imposed by the rules and regulations of the TSX and Rule 10b-18 (Rule 10b-18) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (including the average daily trading volume (ADTV) limitations). The ADTV of the company's shares on the TSX (for the 6 months ended June 30, 2013) and the NYSE (for the preceding four calendar weeks as of the date hereof) was 1,674,581 common shares and 7,234,374 common shares, respectively. Under the rules of the TSX, PotashCorp is entitled to repurchase during the same trading day on the TSX up to 25% of the ADTV of its common shares traded on the TSX, being 418,645 common shares (subject to certain limited exceptions). In addition, PotashCorp may repurchase during the same trading day on the NYSE up to 25% of the ADTV of its common shares traded on the NYSE.
PotashCorp believes that from time to time the purchase of common shares at the prevailing market price is in the best interests of the Corporation.
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PotashCorp is the world's largest crop nutrient company and plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, these nutrients offer a responsible and practical solution to meeting the long-term demand for food. PotashCorp is the largest producer, by capacity, of potash and third largest producer of nitrogen and phosphate. While agriculture is its primary market, the company also produces products for animal nutrition and industrial uses. Common shares of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
Web Site: This release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information (forward-looking statements). These statements can be identified by expressions of belief, expectation or intention, as well as those statements that are not historical fact. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions including with respect to: foreign exchange rates, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities and effective tax rates. While the company considers these factors and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Several factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the following: variations from our assumptions with respect to foreign exchange rates, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, and effective tax rates; fluctuations in supply and demand in the fertilizer, sulfur, transportation and petrochemical markets; costs and availability of transportation and distribution for our raw materials and products, including railcars and ocean freight; changes in competitive pressures, including pricing pressures; adverse or uncertain economic conditions and changes in credit and financial markets; the results of sales contract negotiations within major markets; economic and political uncertainty around the world; timing and impact of capital expenditures; risks associated with natural gas and other hedging activities; changes in capital markets; unexpected or adverse weather conditions; changes in currency and exchange rates; unexpected geological or environmental conditions, including water inflows; imprecision in reserve estimates; adverse developments in new and pending legal proceedings or government investigations; acquisitions we may undertake; strikes or other forms of work stoppage or slowdowns; rates of return on and the risks associated with our investments; changes in, and the effects of, government policies and regulations; security risks related to our information technology systems; and earnings, exchange rates and the decisions of taxing authorities, all of which could affect our effective tax rates. Additional risks and uncertainties can be found in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 under the captions "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Item 1A - Risk Factors" and in our other filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian provincial securities commissions. Forward-looking statements are given only as at the date of this release and the company disclaims any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
SOURCE Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc.
