| Factor | Score | Distribution | Value | Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valuation | 64 | 57.7x | 17.8x | Around median | |
Growth | 52 | 5.5% | 7.1% | Around median | |
Quality | 60 | 8.6% | 4.5% | Around median | |
Safety | 44 | 3.2x | 2.6x | Around median | |
Capital Return | 40 | 0.00% | 2.12% | Around median | |
Momentum | 55 | 30.7% | 2.9% | Around median | |
Sentiment | 64 | 3 | 3 | Around median |
Estimates — analyst targets and a simplified DCF, not investment advice.
Ten ratios that matter, each compared against its sector median and average — so you can see whether a number is rich or cheap relative to peers in the same sector.
Compass Minerals International produces essential minerals through two main businesses. The Salt segment sells highway deicing products and consumer and industrial salt products, while the Plant Nutrition business produces sulfate of potash from the Ogden facility, which the company describes as the leading North American producer of this product. The economics of both businesses depend on production and sales volumes, pricing, mining, processing, and distribution costs, as well as geographic and product mix.
In fiscal Q3 2026, the company reported revenue of $215.3 million and gross profit of $37.9 million, equivalent to a gross margin of approximately 17.6%, while net loss was $5.7 million and loss per share was $0.13. Salt revenue was $173.9 million, or about 81% of total revenue, and increased 5% year over year; Plant Nutrition revenue was $37.6 million, or about 17% of the total, and declined 16% due to lower volumes associated with the sale of the Wynyard asset in March 2026.
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization were $39.9 million in fiscal Q3 2026, compared with $41 million a year earlier. Salt generated $38.9 million, down 15% due to lower highway deicing salt volumes and higher per-unit production and distribution costs, while the figure for Plant Nutrition rose 32% to $15 million and its operating earnings increased 50% to $7.8 million due to improved Ogden pricing and lower per-unit product and distribution costs.
Automated analysis for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
The analyst consensus is “Buy,” with an average target of $29.5 and a relatively narrow target range of $27 to $32. The average target is approximately 80% above the 52-week range low of $16.4, but approximately 14.5% below the range high of $34.5, while no listed price-to-earnings ratio is available to rely on despite positive trailing twelve-month net income of $18.4 million. Therefore, the valuation presented in the data depends on continued improvement at Ogden, debt reduction, and the success of pricing in offsetting weak Salt volumes and Goderich costs.
Figures in the text are as of 2026-09-02; the live price is shown at the top of the page.
Compass Minerals reported revenue of approximately $215.3 million, gross profit of $37.9 million, and a net loss of $5.7 million in fiscal Q3 2026. A 9% increase in Salt pricing lifted segment revenue to $173.9 million, but a 6% decline in highway volumes and higher unit costs pressured its earnings. By contrast, Plant Nutrition generated $15 million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, an increase of 32%. On August 6, 2026, the company raised the midpoint of its consolidated annual guidance to $230 million.
Plant Nutrition revenue declined 16% to $37.6 million in fiscal Q3 2026, primarily due to a 19% decline in volumes following the sale of the Wynyard asset in March 2026. Excluding the impact of Wynyard, volumes increased approximately 4%, while the average price also increased 4%. Lower per-unit product and distribution costs at Ogden increased operating earnings 50% to $7.8 million. The company aims to complete the dryer project by the end of fiscal 2027 to improve sulfate of potash yield, volume, quality, and cost.
Management described the 2026–2027 bid season as constructive, with price increases of approximately 10% overall and more than 10% in some core U.S. markets. This is supported by lower industrywide inventories following the 2025–2026 winter and higher bid volumes. Compass Minerals focused on maximizing margin per ton and improving minimum-volume terms in contracts. However, the company expects to commit to lower volumes in fiscal 2027 if winter returns to more normal levels.
Management said on August 6, 2026 that Goderich is not hoisting sufficient tons at the cost the company planned, despite higher production year over year. Compass Minerals increased spending on maintenance, labor, and training to improve equipment availability and operating stability, but these expenses are pressuring costs in the current period. The company is also deferring the timeline for the new mill until engineering, sequencing, and governance are completed because of the complexity of construction inside an operating mine. In addition, highway deicing salt shipments from Goderich to the United States are exposed to tariffs scheduled to take effect on August 19, 2026, although several key contracts include cost pass-through mechanisms.
Total debt was $716.6 million as of June 30, 2026, compared with $825.3 million a year earlier. Net debt declined by $85.6 million to $660.3 million, while net leverage improved to 2.8 times from 4.3 times. Liquidity was $328.1 million, including $56.3 million in cash and $271.8 million available under the revolving credit facility. The stated capital allocation priorities are investing in assets and continuing to reduce debt where appropriate.
