K+S raised annual dividends

Frankfurt (Reuters)-a German fertilizer manufacturer K+S raised dividends, receiving a profit in the fourth quarter, exceeded the expectations of analysts. The Russian agro -chemical holding " Eurochem " owns 8.7 percent of the shares of K+S. Eurochem reduced the share last year from almost 10 percent. The K+S operating profit in the fourth quarter amounted to 195 million euros with analysts of 154 million euros. The company offered annual dividends of 1 euro per share compared to 0.2 euros in 2009 and forecasts of 0.88 euros per share. “A sharp increase in grain prices, which began in the second half of the year (2010), and followed by the increase in farmers' income led to an increase in demand for fertilizers,” the general director of Norbert Steiner said in a statement. (Ludwig Burger. Denis Pshenichnikov translated)