The Investment Reporter, in its Feb. 19, 2016, issue, refreshes its buy of Agrium Inc., recently $119.84. The Reporter said buy 13 times from Nov. 27, 1997, to Sept. 25, 2015, at prices ranging from $12.20 to $136.12. Assuming an investment of $1,000 for each of the 13 buys, the $13,000 position would now be worth $52,729. In 2015, the fertilizer producer earned an adjusted $1.02-billion (U.S.), or $7.25 (U.S.) a share, up from an adjusted $852-million (U.S.), or $5.92 (U.S.) a share, a year earlier. Agrium spent $559-million (U.S.) buying back 5.57 million of its own shares in 2015, which contributed to the increase in its earnings per share. The company is well diversified across the Americas, Australia and India, reducing its risk to conditions in any one market. Agrium is expected to earn $5.50 (U.S.) to $7 (U.S.) a share. The company currently pays an annual dividend of $3.50 (U.S.), or $4.85 (Canadian). This works out to an attractive yield of 4 per cent. The long-term outlook for agriculture, and Agrium, is favourable. Crops can serve as a source of renewable fuel, and an expanding middle class is eating larger meals more often. The stock remains a buy for dividends and long-term gains.