Mosaic Stock: Is MOS Underperforming the Basic Material Sector?

With a market cap. of $7.5 billion, The Mosaic Company (MOS) is a leading producer and marketer of potash and phosphate fertilizers, essential inputs for global agriculture. Through its Mosaic Biosciences platform, the company is developing biological solutions to improve nutrient efficiency, crop performance, and agricultural sustainability. 

Companies worth less than $10 billion are generally labeled as “mid-cap” stocks and Mosaic fits this criterion perfectly. With approximately 13,000 employees serving customers in more than 40 countries, Mosaic plays an important role in building resilient and productive food systems worldwide.

Shares of the Tampa, Florida-based company have decreased 33.9% from its 52-week high of $36. The stock has risen 9.5% over the past three months, outpacing the State Street Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLB) 2.9% decline over the same time frame.

The stock is down 1.2% on a YTD basis, underperforming XLB’s 9.6% gain. Longer term, shares of the fertilizer maker have decreased 31.6% over the past 52 weeks, compared to XLB's 11.7% return over the same time frame.

MOS stock has been trading below its 200-day moving average since early October last year.

Mosaic reported Q2 2026 results on Aug. 4, revenue of $2.82 billion and adjusted EPS of $0.13, both came in below the consensus. Higher sulfur and ammonia costs and production curtailments drove net income to a $273 million loss, or $0.86 per share, from $411 million, or $1.29 per share, a year earlier, and EBITDA fell to $407 million from $566 million. Weakness in the Phosphate and Mosaic Fertilizantes segments, which posted operating losses of $104 million and $41 million, respectively, outweighed stronger phosphate and potash prices and lower sales volumes.

In comparison, rival CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF) has surpassed MOS stock. Shares of CF Industries have surged 31% over the past 52 weeks and 52% on a YTD basis.

Despite MOS stock’s underperformance over the past year, analysts are moderately optimistic about its prospects. The stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the 19 analysts covering it, and the mean price target of $26.35 is a premium of 11.2% to current levels.

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.