Israel's ICL Seeks Private Bond Placement in US

   By Sara Toth Stub 
   Special to DOW JONES NEWSWIRES 
 

JERUSALEM--In yet another attempt to diversify its capital, global potash producer Israel Chemicals Ltd. (ICL.TV) said Thursday that it would seek to raise $275 million of private debt in the United States.

This follows an announcement in August that the company, currently listed on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, would pursue a dual listing in either New York or London. ICL said its listing on the Israeli market doesn't attract enough international investors.

ICL, the world's sixth-largest producer of potash, a potassium-derived component used in agricultural fertilizer, has seen falling profits this year as potash prices have declined. In addition to the falling profits, ICL is worried about the Israeli government's current consideration to raise the royalties it collects on natural resources. ICL harvests its potash and other chemicals from the Dead Sea, which borders Israel, the Palestinian Authority and Jordan.

The bonds ICL hopes to issue will range from seven to 12 years and have annual interest of LIBOR plus 2.3 percentage point.

At 1405 GMT, shares of ICL were up 0.40 shekels ($0.11), or 1.33%, at ILS30.50, in a higher Tel Aviv market.

Write to Sara Toth Stub at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires