Agricore United eyes increase in 1Q EBITDA

Winnipeg-Agricore United reports that preliminary results for the first quarter 2007 ending Jan. 31, 2007 are expected to be significantly higher than the year-ago quarter. AU expects first quarter EBITDA to be over $8 million about $11 million above the year-ago figure. AU said favorable weather and positive fertilizer dynamics should boost results from the Crop Production Services segment by $2 million or 13.5 percent. AU-wide, the company said on a trailing twelve month basis ending Jan. 31, estimated EBITDA is $152 million, up 21 percent, over the year-ago period.