Investopedia: FMC A Three-For-One Chemical Company

In the past couple of years, investors have paid a great deal of attention to the agricultural, industrial and battery markets. FMC Corp (NYSE:FMC) is a relatively rare chemicals company in that addresses all three markets. While FMC has enjoyed a great run already, investors may yet be able to wring even more leverage out of a company that seems to be executing as well as any in its markets. 

Solid Second Quarter Performance
FMC met guidance with a little less than 5% revenue growth in the second quarter. Sales growth was led by the agricultural business (which grew 12%), while the specialty business grew 6%. Reported growth in the industrial category was down 5%, but adjusting for asset/business dispositions underlying growth was more on the order of 7% to the positive.

FMC has seen more than a year of ongoing margin expansion and this quarter was no different. Gross margin grew more than two and a half full points from the year-ago level, and operating income jumped more than 18% for the quarter.


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