Tel Aviv — ICL Fertilizer operating income was up 8 percent, to $409.9 million on sales of $1.19 billion for the second quarter ending June 30, 2012, up from the year-ago $379 million on sales of $1.1 billion. The company, a segment of Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL), sold 1.5 million mt of potash, up 12 percent compared to the year-ago quarter and 65 percent from the first quarter. This is the third-highest quantity sold in a quarter in company history. ICL Fertilizers said it reflects the accelerated pace of deliveries made to China, as well as strong sales to Brazil. The company sold 511,000 mt of phosphates, up 17 percent from the year-ago and 55 percent from first quarter 2012. ICL Chemicals had net income to shareholders of $407.3 million on sales of $1.96 billion, down from the year-ago $426.2 million on sales of $1.93 billion. The company cited higher finance expenses and taxes. Operating income was up slightly, to $545.1 million from $542.8 million. EBITDA was off slightly, to $610.6 million from $611 million. ICL Chemicals declared a dividend totaling $285 million, to be paid Sept. 12 with respect to second-quarter results. Six-month ICL Fertilizer income was $652 million on sales of $2.04 billion, up from the year-ago $622.5 million on sales of $1.94 billion. ICL Chemicals-wide net income was $696.2 million on sales of $3.52 billion, down from $705.9 million on sales of $3.46 billion. Operating income was $696.2 million, up from $705.9 million. EBITDA was up slightly, at $1.033 billion from $1.029 billion.
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