K+S rises on elevated potash prices, broker upgrade

** Shares of German potash and salt producer K+S AG SDF are up around 6% on rising potash prices and following a broker upgrade

** "Despite an unexpected 15% and 30% yoy increase from Russia and Belarus exports in Q1 2025, potash prices keep moving upwards in both China and Brazil," Berenberg analyst Aron Ceccarelli says

** Ceccarelli also points to a Stifel upgrade to "hold" from "sell", with the broker expecting higher earnings due to increased potash prices

** "We see the upper end of guidance as within reach and would not exclude an even better outcome," Stifel says

** The brokerage also points out that K+S will be unaffected by U.S. tariffs, since "there is no US potash production to be protected"

** The uplift in potash prices should offset higher costs from energy and personnel expenses, the analysts add

** If gains hold, the stock will see its biggest one-day rise since January; it is among top performers on Europe-wide STOXX 600 SXXP index