The Mosaic Co. (NYSE: MOS)

With so many companies - and countries - choking on the combination of slow growth and massive debt, investors are finding that there's a definite formula for success.

You need to look for companies that have healthy cash reserves, a global presence in a high-growth sector, and whose shares are available at a bargain price.

I've already found one to help get you started.

I'm talking about The Mosaic Co. (NYSE: MOS), an agricultural leader that's positioned to benefit from the worldwide run-up in food prices.

Mosaic is the world's leading producer of concentrated phosphate and potash, two of the primary nutrients required to grow food crops.

One of the main reasons I really like Mosaic is that it has enough cash - $3 billion - to fund its own growth. It doesn't need to borrow from banks to continue generating profits from crop-nutrient sales.

That's a profitable niche, since global food prices are expected to increase 4% next year, and could climb higher on supply squeezes. Increasing food demand and poor harvests have caused sharp climbs in the price of corn and other crops. And those price increases have translated into higher prices for pork, beef and poultry. The profitable agricultural industry outlook is enticing farmers to grow more, and will create a steady profit stream for Mosaic.

Mosaic's shares recently hit a 52-week low; but don't let that price dip fool you: While the market is currently pricing Mosaic for a significant slowdown in earnings, the reality is far brighter. It's time to buy The Mosaic Co. (**).