PotashCorp and Agrium in talks to merge.

[dak7]

Here we go again with Potash Merger mania. Everyone wants a monopoly.



Premier Brad Wall reminded media this week about the “Pledge to Saskatchewan” made by PotashCorp after the stymied 2010 hostile takeover bid by BHP Billiton. PotashCorp then committed to maintain its headquarters in Saskatchewan, ensure that its CEO, chief financial officer and president of PCS Potash would reside here, and to relocate to Saskatoon its executives in charge of legal affairs, human resources and investor relations.

Referring to protecting and furthering Saskatchewan’s interests if the merger between PotashCorp and Calgary-based Agrium were to proceed, Mr. Wall suggested that his government might even up the ante, saying: “On the more positive side — and I’ve shared this with both CEOs — our government would even want to begin proactively working on some ideas that would make Saskatchewan an attractive place for even more jobs.”

[ajl]

Merger and consolidation is the only thing to do in an economy that will shrink continuously over the next 30 yrs. Aging population combined with phenomenal debt levels means that growth is a thing of the past. So we invest in improving margins by reducing the competition. This will lower living standards and lead to more of the same. Hence the downward spiral that we are now on. Enjoy the ride.