Ag Stocks Surging Despite Mixed Analyst Comments (POT, AGU, more..)

Shares of popular ag plays such as Potash (NYSE: POT), Agrium (NYSE: AGU) and Mosaic (NYSE: MOS) are seeing substantial upside today on somewhat-light volume as voters rush to the polls. Potash and Agrium are currently up about 8%, while Mosaic is up more than 12%. Elsewhere in the sector: Monsanto (NYSE: MON) is up 7%, Terra Industries (NYSE: TRA) is up 7.8%, CF Industries (NYSE: CF) is up 5.4% and Interpid Potash (NYSE: IPI) is up more than 15%.

Today's rally comes amid mixed analyst comments around the Street:

• analysts at Citi upgraded Agrium, CF Industries and Terra Industries from Hold to Buy, citing recent share price declines. The firm said that these stocks are now beginning to look attractive, but Citi still prefers its 'Top Pick', Potash.
  
• on his CNBC show last night, Jim Cramer recommended viewers look into fertilizer plays such as Potash, Agrium and Mosaic if Obama wins.
  
• on a somewhat-negative note, Goldman Sachs slashed its price targets on numerous ag names this morning. Potash price target cut from $267.67 to $110.56, Terra Industries target cut from $46 to $18, Agrium target cut from $116.38 to $40.73, Mosaic target moved down from $115 to $40, CF Industries target down from $180 to $45 and Intrepid Potash target cut from $49 to $22. Within the sector, Goldman only has a Buy rating on Potash, and maintained Neutral ratings on the rest of these ag names.

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