Strong Safety Focus and Operational Performance
Drive Solid Results Net Cash from Operating Activities of $1.5
Billion Positive Outlook for North American Spring Demand and
Longer-Term Industry Fundamentals
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF), a leading global
fertilizer and chemical company, today announced results for its
fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2019.
Highlights
- Full year net earnings of $493 million(1), or $2.23 per diluted
share; EBITDA(2) of $1,620 million; adjusted EBITDA(2) of $1,610
million
- Fourth quarter net earnings of $55 million(1), or $0.25 per
diluted share; EBITDA of $306 million; adjusted EBITDA of $325
million
- Full year net cash from operating activities of $1,505 million,
free cash flow(3) of $915 million
- Lowest year-end 12-month rolling average recordable incident
rate in company’s history
- Set company record for quarterly gross ammonia production in
fourth quarter
- Redeemed $750 million in debt, lowering long-term debt to $4.0
billion
- Repurchased 1.9 million shares during the quarter
Overview of Results
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. today announced full year 2019 net
earnings attributable to common stockholders of $493 million, or
$2.23 per diluted share; EBITDA of $1,620 million; and adjusted
EBITDA of $1,610 million. These results compare to the full year
2018 net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $290
million, or $1.24 per diluted share; EBITDA of $1,429 million; and
adjusted EBITDA of $1,403 million.
For the fourth quarter of 2019, net earnings attributable to
common stockholders were $55 million, or $0.25 per diluted share;
EBITDA was $306 million; and adjusted EBITDA was $325 million.
These results compare to fourth quarter 2018 net earnings
attributable to common stockholders of $49 million, or $0.21 per
diluted share; EBITDA of $349 million; and adjusted EBITDA of $341
million.
“The CF team executed exceptionally well in 2019, achieving our
lowest year-end recordable incident rate ever and delivering a 15
percent increase in adjusted EBITDA compared to 2018,” said Tony
Will, president and chief executive officer, CF Industries
Holdings, Inc. “Our 2019 performance and our position on the
low-end of the global nitrogen cost curve enabled us to generate
more than $900 million in free cash flow, strengthen our balance
sheet and increase shareholder participation in the underlying
business. As a result, we delivered a one-year total shareholder
return of 13 percent, which was the top performance in our
fertilizer peer group.”
________________________________________________________________
(1)
Certain items recognized during the full year and fourth quarter
of 2019 impacted our financial results and their comparability to
the prior year periods. See the table accompanying this release for
a summary of these items.
(2)
EBITDA is defined as net earnings attributable to common
stockholders plus interest expense—net, income taxes and
depreciation and amortization. See reconciliations of EBITDA and
adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in
the tables accompanying this release.
(3)
Free cash flow is defined as net cash from operating activities
less capital expenditures and distributions to noncontrolling
interests. See reconciliation of free cash flow to the most
directly comparable GAAP measure in the table accompanying this
release.
Operations Overview
CF Industries continued to operate safely and efficiently. As of
December 31, 2019, the company’s 12-month rolling average
recordable incident rate was 0.48 incidents per 200,000 work
hours.
Gross ammonia production for the full year 2019 was
approximately 10.2 million tons, and for the fourth quarter was
approximately 2.7 million tons.
Sales Overview
Net sales for the full year of 2019 were $4.6 billion compared
to $4.4 billion in 2018 due primarily to higher average selling
prices across most major products. Net sales in the fourth quarter
of 2019 were lower than the fourth quarter of 2018 due to lower
selling prices across all major products compared to the prior year
period, partially offset by higher sales volumes.
Total sales volumes for full year 2019 were comparable to both
full year 2018 and 2017. Sales volumes for the fourth quarter of
2019 were higher compared to the prior year period due to higher
ammonia and ammonium nitrate (AN) sales, partially offset by lower
granular urea sales.
Average selling prices for the full year of 2019 were higher
year-over-year across most major products due to a tighter global
nitrogen supply and demand balance than the prior year period and
logistical issues in North America that limited supply at some
inland locations during the spring application season. Average
selling prices for the fourth quarter of 2019 were lower than the
fourth quarter of 2018 across all major products due to greater
global supply availability as a result of higher global operating
rates driven by lower global energy costs.
Cost of sales for the full year of 2019 and the fourth quarter
of 2019 decreased compared to the prior year period primarily due
to lower realized natural gas costs, partially offset by higher
maintenance costs.
In 2019, the average cost of natural gas reflected in the
company’s cost of sales was $2.74 per MMBtu compared to the average
cost of natural gas in cost of sales of $3.16 per MMBtu in 2018. In
the fourth quarter of 2019, the average cost of natural gas
reflected in the company’s cost of sales was $2.36 per MMBtu
compared to the average cost of natural gas in cost of sales of
$3.24 per MMBtu in the fourth quarter of 2018.
Market Overview
CF believes that near-term global nitrogen demand will be
positive as application seasons develop in different regions of the
world. In North America, crop futures combined with an expected
return to traditional planting conditions in North America continue
to support an increase in nitrogen-consuming planted corn and
coarse grain acres in 2020 compared to 2019.
Demand in India is expected to remain strong in 2020. In 2019,
India tendered for a record 7.4 million metric tons of urea due to
favorable growing conditions and strong consumption in the country.
A new tender is expected in late March or early April. Urea tender
volumes in India in 2020 may ease from 2019’s record high based on
growing conditions and whether new domestic urea capacity increases
total production, which has been affected by significant outages in
existing facilities. Demand for urea in Brazil is expected to be
positive in 2020, supported by lower domestic urea production.
Longer-term, the company expects that the global nitrogen market
will tighten as industry fundamentals underpinning the global
nitrogen cost curve continue to improve.
CF projects that global demand growth for nitrogen over the next
four years will outpace net capacity additions given the limited
number of facilities currently under construction around the world.
The company also expects Chinese coal-based nitrogen complexes to
remain the global marginal urea producer and thus set the global
price. Net Chinese-produced urea exports are likely to be in a
range of 2-3 million metric tons annually, with additional Chinese
export tons possible if urea supply is needed worldwide and global
nitrogen prices support positive margins for Chinese marginal urea
producers.
Producers in North America are expected to remain on the low-end
of the global cost curve due to access to low-cost North American
natural gas. Forward energy curves suggest the cost advantage per
metric ton of urea for North American producers should remain well
over $100 compared to Chinese anthracite-coal based producers.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures for the full year 2019 were $404 million.
Capital expenditures in 2020 are estimated to be in the range of
approximately $400 to $450 million.
Liquidity
As of December 31, 2019, the company had cash and cash
equivalents of $287 million on the balance sheet, had no borrowings
outstanding under its $750 million revolving credit facility and
was in compliance with all applicable covenant requirements under
its debt instruments.
The company is currently executing a $1 billion share repurchase
program that is authorized through 2021. During the fourth quarter
of 2019, the company repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares
for $87 million. From February 2019, when the share repurchase
authorization was announced, through December 31, 2019, the company
has repurchased approximately 7.6 million shares for $337
million.
On November 13, 2019, the company completed the redemption of
all of the $500 million outstanding principal amount of its 7.125%
Senior Notes due May 2020. Additionally, on December 13, 2019, the
company redeemed $250 million principal amount, representing 50% of
the $500 million outstanding principal amount, of its 3.400% Senior
Secured Notes due December 2021. As a result, the aggregate
principal amount of CF Industries Holdings, Inc.'s outstanding
long-term indebtedness was $4.0 billion at the end of 2019.
CHS Inc. Distribution
On January 31, 2020, the Board of Managers of CF Industries
Nitrogen, LLC (CFN) approved a semi-annual distribution payment to
CHS Inc. (CHS) of $88 million for the distribution period ended
December 31, 2019. The distribution was paid on January 31, 2020.
The total distribution to CHS pertaining to 2019 was approximately
$188 million.
Consolidated Results
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
(dollars in millions, except
per share
and per MMBtu amounts)
Net sales
$
1,049
$
1,132
$
4,590
$
4,429
Cost of sales
822
890
3,416
3,512
Gross margin
$
227
$
242
$
1,174
$
917
Gross margin percentage
21.6
%
21.4
%
25.6
%
20.7
%
Net earnings attributable to common
stockholders
$
55
$
49
$
493
$
290
Net earnings per diluted share
$
0.25
$
0.21
$
2.23
$
1.24
EBITDA(1)
$
306
$
349
$
1,620
$
1,429
Adjusted EBITDA(1)
$
325
$
341
$
1,610
$
1,403
Tons of product sold (000s)
4,983
4,723
19,538
19,329
Supplemental data (per MMBtu):
Natural gas costs in cost of sales(2)
$
2.37
$
3.30
$
2.75
$
3.15
Realized derivatives (gain) loss in cost
of sales(3)
(0.01
)
(0.06
)
(0.01
)
0.01
Cost of natural gas in cost of sales
$
2.36
$
3.24
$
2.74
$
3.16
Average daily market price of natural gas
(per MMBtu):
Henry Hub
$
2.34
$
3.74
$
2.51
$
3.12
National Balancing Point UK
$
4.08
$
8.35
$
4.44
$
8.07
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain)
on natural gas derivatives
$
11
$
(2
)
$
14
$
(13
)
Depreciation and amortization
$
212
$
221
$
875
$
888
Capital expenditures
$
107
$
144
$
404
$
422
Production volume by product tons
(000s):
Ammonia(4)
2,682
2,381
10,246
9,805
Granular urea
1,105
1,162
4,941
4,837
UAN (32%)
1,958
1,946
6,768
6,903
AN
543
376
2,128
1,731
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
See reconciliations of EBITDA and adjusted
EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP measures in the tables
accompanying this release.
(2)
Includes the cost of natural gas and
related transportation that is included in cost of sales during the
period under the first-in, first-out inventory cost method.
(3)
Includes realized gains and losses on
natural gas derivatives settled during the period. Excludes
unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses on natural gas
derivatives.
(4)
Gross ammonia production, including
amounts subsequently upgraded into other products.
Ammonia Segment
CF Industries’ ammonia segment produces anhydrous ammonia
(ammonia), which is the company’s most concentrated form of
nitrogen, containing 82 percent nitrogen. The results of the
ammonia segment consist of sales of ammonia to external customers.
In addition, ammonia is the “basic” nitrogen form that the company
upgrades into other nitrogen products such as urea, UAN and AN.
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
(dollars in millions,
except per ton
amounts)
Net sales
$
266
$
250
$
1,113
$
1,028
Cost of sales
224
226
878
867
Gross margin
$
42
$
24
$
235
$
161
Gross margin percentage
15.8
%
9.6
%
21.1
%
15.7
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
968
720
3,516
3,135
Sales volume by nutrient tons
(000s)(1)
795
590
2,884
2,571
Average selling price per product ton
$
275
$
347
$
317
$
328
Average selling price per nutrient
ton(1)
335
424
386
400
Adjusted gross margin(2):
Gross margin
$
42
$
24
$
235
$
161
Depreciation and amortization
44
45
167
155
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain)
on natural gas derivatives
3
(1
)
4
(4
)
Adjusted gross margin
$
89
$
68
$
406
$
312
Adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales
33.5
%
27.2
%
36.5
%
30.4
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
43
$
33
$
67
$
51
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
53
41
81
63
Adjusted gross margin per product ton
92
94
115
100
Adjusted gross margin per nutrient
ton(1)
112
115
141
121
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Nutrient tons represent the tons of
nitrogen within the product tons.
(2)
Adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross
margin as a percent of net sales and adjusted gross margin per
product ton and per nutrient ton are non-GAAP financial measures.
Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross margin excluding
depreciation and amortization and unrealized net mark-to-market
(gain) loss on natural gas derivatives. The company has presented
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton because management uses these measures, and believes they are
useful to investors, as supplemental financial measures in the
comparison of year-over-year performance. A reconciliation of
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton to gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is
provided in the table above. See “Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial
Measures” in this release.
Comparison of 2019 to 2018 full year and fourth quarter
periods:
- Ammonia sales volume increased for the full year and fourth
quarter of 2019 compared to 2018 due to greater supply availability
as a result of increased production.
- Ammonia average selling prices decreased for the full year and
fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 2018 due to increased global
ammonia supply availability as a result of higher global operating
rates driven by lower global energy costs.
- Ammonia adjusted gross margin per ton increased for the full
year 2019 compared to 2018 due primarily to lower realized natural
gas costs and lower costs related to plant turnarounds and
maintenance, partially offset by lower average selling prices.
Ammonia adjusted gross margin per ton was similar for the fourth
quarter of 2019 compared to 2018.
Granular Urea Segment
CF Industries’ granular urea segment produces granular urea,
which contains 46 percent nitrogen. Produced from ammonia and
carbon dioxide, it has the highest nitrogen content of any of the
company’s solid nitrogen products.
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
(dollars in millions,
except per ton
amounts)
Net sales
$
239
$
345
$
1,342
$
1,322
Cost of sales
175
207
861
889
Gross margin
$
64
$
138
$
481
$
433
Gross margin percentage
26.8
%
40.0
%
35.8
%
32.8
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
969
1,119
4,849
4,898
Sales volume by nutrient tons
(000s)(1)
446
515
2,231
2,253
Average selling price per product ton
$
247
$
308
$
277
$
270
Average selling price per nutrient
ton(1)
536
670
602
587
Adjusted gross margin(2):
Gross margin
$
64
$
138
$
481
$
433
Depreciation and amortization
53
62
264
276
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain)
on natural gas derivatives
3
(1
)
4
(4
)
Adjusted gross margin
$
120
$
199
$
749
$
705
Adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales
50.2
%
57.7
%
55.8
%
53.3
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
66
$
123
$
99
$
88
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
143
268
216
192
Adjusted gross margin per product ton
124
178
154
144
Adjusted gross margin per nutrient
ton(1)
269
386
336
313
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Nutrient tons represent the tons of
nitrogen within the product tons.
(2)
Adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross
margin as a percent of net sales and adjusted gross margin per
product ton and per nutrient ton are non-GAAP financial measures.
Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross margin excluding
depreciation and amortization and unrealized net mark-to-market
(gain) loss on natural gas derivatives. The company has presented
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton because management uses these measures, and believes they are
useful to investors, as supplemental financial measures in the
comparison of year-over-year performance. A reconciliation of
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton to gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is
provided in the table above. See “Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial
Measures” in this release.
Comparison of 2019 to 2018 full year and fourth quarter
periods:
- Granular urea sales volume for the full year 2019 was similar
to 2018. Granular urea sales volume decreased for the fourth
quarter of 2019 compared to 2018 due to lower volumes of product
available for sale as a result of planned maintenance activities
and the company’s decision to build inventory in advance of the
spring fertilizer application season.
- Urea average selling prices increased for the full year 2019
compared to 2018 due primarily to a tighter nitrogen supply and
demand balance than the prior year period and logistical issues in
North America that limited supply at some inland locations during
the spring application season. Urea average selling prices
decreased in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 2018 due to
greater global supply availability as a result of higher global
operating rates driven by lower global energy costs.
- Granular urea adjusted gross margin per ton increased for the
full year 2019 compared to 2018 due to higher average selling
prices and lower realized natural gas costs. Granular urea adjusted
gross margin per ton decreased for the fourth quarter of 2019
compared to 2018 due to lower average selling prices, partially
offset by lower realized natural gas costs.
UAN Segment
CF Industries’ UAN segment produces urea ammonium nitrate
solution (UAN). UAN is a liquid product with nitrogen content that
typically ranges from 28 percent to 32 percent and is produced by
combining urea and ammonium nitrate in solution.
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
(dollars in millions,
except per ton
amounts)
Net sales
$
336
$
342
$
1,270
$
1,234
Cost of sales
259
276
981
1,007
Gross margin
$
77
$
66
$
289
$
227
Gross margin percentage
22.9
%
19.3
%
22.8
%
18.4
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
1,927
1,933
6,807
7,042
Sales volume by nutrient tons
(000s)(1)
607
610
2,144
2,225
Average selling price per product ton
$
174
$
177
$
187
$
175
Average selling price per nutrient
ton(1)
554
561
592
555
Adjusted gross margin(2):
Gross margin
$
77
$
66
$
289
$
227
Depreciation and amortization
68
70
251
270
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain)
on natural gas derivatives
3
—
4
(4
)
Adjusted gross margin
$
148
$
136
$
544
$
493
Adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales
44.0
%
39.8
%
42.8
%
40.0
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
40
$
34
$
42
$
32
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
127
108
135
102
Adjusted gross margin per product ton
77
70
80
70
Adjusted gross margin per nutrient
ton(1)
244
223
254
222
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Nutrient tons represent the tons of
nitrogen within the product tons.
(2)
Adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross
margin as a percent of net sales and adjusted gross margin per
product ton and per nutrient ton are non-GAAP financial measures.
Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross margin excluding
depreciation and amortization and unrealized net mark-to-market
(gain) loss on natural gas derivatives. The company has presented
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton because management uses these measures, and believes they are
useful to investors, as supplemental financial measures in the
comparison of year-over-year performance. A reconciliation of
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton to gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is
provided in the table above. See “Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial
Measures” in this release.
Comparison of 2019 to 2018 full year and fourth quarter
periods:
- UAN sales volume for the full year 2019 decreased compared to
2018 due to lower supply availability from lower production due to
higher granular urea production for most of 2019. Sales volume for
the fourth quarter of 2019 was similar to the fourth quarter of
2018.
- UAN average selling prices increased for the full year 2019
compared to 2018 due primarily to a tighter nitrogen supply and
demand balance than the prior year periods and logistical issues in
North America that limited supply at some inland locations during
the spring application season. UAN average selling prices for the
fourth quarter of 2019 were similar to the fourth quarter of
2018.
- UAN adjusted gross margin per ton increased for the full year
2019 compared to 2018 primarily due to higher average selling
prices and lower realized natural gas costs, partially offset by
higher maintenance costs. UAN adjusted gross margin per ton
increased in the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 2018 due
primarily to lower realized natural gas costs.
AN Segment
CF Industries’ AN segment produces ammonium nitrate (AN). AN is
used as a nitrogen fertilizer with nitrogen content between 29
percent to 35 percent, and also is used by industrial customers for
commercial explosives and blasting systems. AN is produced at the
company’s Yazoo City, Mississippi; Billingham, United Kingdom; and
Ince, United Kingdom, complexes.
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
(dollars in millions,
except per ton
amounts)
Net sales
$
117
$
97
$
506
$
460
Cost of sales
91
94
399
414
Gross margin
$
26
$
3
$
107
$
46
Gross margin percentage
22.2
%
3.1
%
21.1
%
10.0
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
519
416
2,109
2,002
Sales volume by nutrient tons
(000s)(1)
175
141
708
676
Average selling price per product ton
$
225
$
233
$
240
$
230
Average selling price per nutrient
ton(1)
669
688
715
680
Adjusted gross margin(2):
Gross margin
$
26
$
3
$
107
$
46
Depreciation and amortization
21
18
88
85
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on
natural gas derivatives
1
—
1
—
Adjusted gross margin
$
48
$
21
$
196
$
131
Adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales
41.0
%
21.6
%
38.7
%
28.5
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
50
$
7
$
51
$
23
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
149
21
151
68
Adjusted gross margin per product ton
92
50
93
65
Adjusted gross margin per nutrient
ton(1)
274
149
277
194
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Nutrient tons represent the tons of
nitrogen within the product tons.
(2)
Adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross
margin as a percent of net sales and adjusted gross margin per
product ton and per nutrient ton are non-GAAP financial measures.
Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross margin excluding
depreciation and amortization and unrealized net mark-to-market
(gain) loss on natural gas derivatives. The company has presented
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton because management uses these measures, and believes they are
useful to investors, as supplemental financial measures in the
comparison of year-over-year performance. A reconciliation of
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton to gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is
provided in the table above. See “Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial
Measures” in this release.
Comparison of 2019 to 2018 full year and fourth quarter
periods:
- AN sales volume for the full year and fourth quarter of 2019
increased compared to 2018 due primarily to increased demand in the
United States.
- AN average selling prices for the full year 2019 increased
compared to 2018 due to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand
balance. AN average selling prices for the fourth quarter of 2019
decreased compared to 2018 due to greater global supply
availability as a result of higher global operating rates driven by
lower global energy costs.
- AN adjusted gross margin per ton was higher for the full year
and fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 2018 due primarily to lower
realized natural gas costs.
Other Segment
CF Industries’ Other segment includes diesel exhaust fluid
(DEF), urea liquor, nitric acid and compound fertilizer products
(NPKs).
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
(dollars in millions,
except per ton
amounts)
Net sales
$
91
$
98
$
359
$
385
Cost of sales
73
87
297
335
Gross margin
$
18
$
11
$
62
$
50
Gross margin percentage
19.8
%
11.2
%
17.3
%
13.0
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
600
535
2,257
2,252
Sales volume by nutrient tons
(000s)(1)
117
104
444
439
Average selling price per product ton
$
152
$
183
$
159
$
171
Average selling price per nutrient
ton(1)
778
942
809
877
Adjusted gross margin(2):
Gross margin
$
18
$
11
$
62
$
50
Depreciation and amortization
18
18
72
67
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain)
on natural gas derivatives
1
—
1
(1
)
Adjusted gross margin
$
37
$
29
$
135
$
116
Adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales
40.7
%
29.6
%
37.6
%
30.1
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
30
$
21
$
27
$
22
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
154
106
140
114
Adjusted gross margin per product ton
62
54
60
52
Adjusted gross margin per nutrient
ton(1)
316
279
304
264
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Nutrient tons represent the tons of
nitrogen within the product tons.
(2)
Adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross
margin as a percent of net sales and adjusted gross margin per
product ton and per nutrient ton are non-GAAP financial measures.
Adjusted gross margin is defined as gross margin excluding
depreciation and amortization and unrealized net mark-to-market
(gain) loss on natural gas derivatives. The company has presented
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton because management uses these measures, and believes they are
useful to investors, as supplemental financial measures in the
comparison of year-over-year performance. A reconciliation of
adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net
sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient
ton to gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, is
provided in the table above. See “Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial
Measures” in this release.
Comparison of 2019 to 2018 full year and fourth quarter
periods:
- Other segment sales volumes for the full year 2019 were similar
to 2018. Other segment sales volumes for the fourth quarter of 2019
increased compared to 2018 primarily due to higher sales of
DEF.
- Other average selling prices for the full year and fourth
quarter of 2019 were lower compared to the prior year periods due
to greater global nitrogen supply availability as a result of
higher global operating rates driven by lower global energy
costs.
- Other segment adjusted gross margin per ton was higher for the
full year and fourth quarter of 2019 compared to 2018 primarily due
to lower realized natural gas costs, partially offset by lower
average selling prices.
Dividend Payment
On January 31, 2020, CF Industries’ Board of Directors declared
a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per common share. The dividend will
be paid on February 28, 2020 to stockholders of record as of
February 14, 2020.
Conference Call
CF Industries will hold a conference call to discuss its fourth
quarter 2019 results at 9:00 a.m. ET on Thursday, February 13,
2020. This conference call will include discussion of CF
Industries’ business environment and outlook. Investors can access
the call and find dial-in information on the Investor Relations
section of the company’s website at www.cfindustries.com.
About CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
CF Industries is a leading global fertilizer and chemical
company with outstanding operational capabilities and a
cost-advantaged production and distribution platform. Our 3,000
employees operate world-class manufacturing complexes in Canada,
the United Kingdom and the United States. We serve our customers in
North America through an unparalleled production, storage,
transportation and distribution network. We also reach a global
customer base with exports from our Donaldsonville, Louisiana,
plant, the world’s largest and most flexible nitrogen complex.
Additionally, we move product to international destinations from
our Verdigris, Oklahoma, facility; our Yazoo City, Mississippi,
facility; our Billingham and Ince facilities in the United Kingdom;
and a joint venture ammonia facility in the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago in which we own a 50 percent interest. CF Industries
routinely posts investor announcements and additional information
on the company’s website at www.cfindustries.com and encourages
those interested in the company to check there frequently.
Note Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The company reports its financial results in accordance with
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Management
believes that EBITDA, EBITDA per ton, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted
EBITDA per ton, free cash flow, and, on a segment basis, adjusted
gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net sales and
adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient ton, which
are non-GAAP financial measures, provide additional meaningful
information regarding the company’s performance and financial
strength. Non-GAAP financial measures should be viewed in addition
to, and not as an alternative for, the company’s reported results
prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because not all
companies use identical calculations, EBITDA, EBITDA per ton,
adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA per ton, free cash flow, adjusted
gross margin, adjusted gross margin as a percent of net sales and
adjusted gross margin per product ton and per nutrient ton,
included in this release may not be comparable to similarly titled
measures of other companies. Reconciliations of EBITDA, EBITDA per
ton, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA per ton, and free cash flow
to the most directly comparable GAAP measures are provided in the
tables accompanying this release under “CF Industries Holdings,
Inc.-Selected Financial Information-Non-GAAP Disclosure Items.”
Reconciliations of adjusted gross margin, adjusted gross margin as
a percent of net sales and adjusted gross margin per product ton
and per nutrient ton to the most directly comparable GAAP measures
are provided in the segment tables included in this release.
Safe Harbor Statement
All statements in this communication by CF Industries Holdings,
Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), other than
those relating to historical facts, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by their use
of terms such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,”
“expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will” or
“would” and similar terms and phrases, including references to
assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of
future performance and are subject to a number of assumptions,
risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s
control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from
such statements. These statements may include, but are not limited
to, statements about strategic plans and statements about future
financial and operating results.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements include,
among others, the cyclical nature of the Company’s business and the
impact of global supply and demand on the Company’s selling prices;
the global commodity nature of the Company’s fertilizer products,
the conditions in the international market for nitrogen products,
and the intense global competition from other fertilizer producers;
conditions in the U.S. and European agricultural industry; the
volatility of natural gas prices in North America and Europe;
difficulties in securing the supply and delivery of raw materials,
increases in their costs or delays or interruptions in their
delivery; reliance on third party providers of transportation
services and equipment; the significant risks and hazards involved
in producing and handling the Company’s products against which the
Company may not be fully insured; the Company’s ability to manage
its indebtedness; operating and financial restrictions imposed on
the Company by the agreements governing the Company’s senior
secured indebtedness; risks associated with the Company’s
incurrence of additional indebtedness; the Company’s ability to
maintain compliance with covenants under the agreements governing
its indebtedness; downgrades of the Company’s credit ratings; risks
associated with cyber security; weather conditions; risks
associated with changes in tax laws and disagreements with taxing
authorities; the Company’s reliance on a limited number of key
facilities; potential liabilities and expenditures related to
environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and
permitting requirements; future regulatory restrictions and
requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions; risks associated
with expansions of the Company’s business, including unanticipated
adverse consequences and the significant resources that could be
required; the seasonality of the fertilizer business; the impact of
changing market conditions on the Company’s forward sales programs;
risks involving derivatives and the effectiveness of the Company’s
risk measurement and hedging activities; risks associated with the
operation or management of the strategic venture with CHS (the “CHS
Strategic Venture”), risks and uncertainties relating to the market
prices of the fertilizer products that are the subject of the
supply agreement with CHS over the life of the supply agreement,
and the risk that any challenges related to the CHS Strategic
Venture will harm the Company’s other business relationships; risks
associated with the Company’s Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited joint
venture; acts of terrorism and regulations to combat terrorism;
risks associated with international operations; and deterioration
of global market and economic conditions.
More detailed information about factors that may affect the
Company’s performance and could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in any forward-looking statements may be
found in CF Industries Holdings, Inc.’s filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, including CF Industries Holdings, Inc.’s
most recent annual and quarterly reports on Form 10-K and Form
10-Q, which are available in the Investor Relations section of the
Company’s web site. Forward-looking statements are given only as of
the date of this communication and the Company disclaims any
obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as required by law.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS,
INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
OPERATIONS
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
(in millions, except per share
amounts)
Net sales
$
1,049
$
1,132
$
4,590
$
4,429
Cost of sales
822
890
3,416
3,512
Gross margin
227
242
1,174
917
Selling, general and administrative
expenses
63
51
239
214
Other operating—net
(10
)
2
(73
)
(27
)
Total other operating costs and
expenses
53
53
166
187
Equity in earnings (loss) of operating
affiliate
1
6
(5
)
36
Operating earnings
175
195
1,003
766
Interest expense
55
61
237
241
Interest income
(8
)
(4
)
(20
)
(13
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
21
—
21
—
Other non-operating—net
—
(3
)
(7
)
(9
)
Earnings before income taxes
107
141
772
547
Income tax provision
13
46
126
119
Net earnings
94
95
646
428
Less: Net earnings attributable to
noncontrolling interests
39
46
153
138
Net earnings attributable to common
stockholders
$
55
$
49
$
493
$
290
Net earnings per share attributable to
common stockholders:
Basic
$
0.26
$
0.21
$
2.24
$
1.25
Diluted
$
0.25
$
0.21
$
2.23
$
1.24
Weighted-average common shares
outstanding:
Basic
217.5
229.1
220.2
232.6
Diluted
219.0
230.6
221.6
233.8
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS,
INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEETS
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
(in millions)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
$
287
$
682
Accounts receivable—net
242
235
Inventories
351
309
Prepaid income taxes
71
28
Other current assets
23
20
Total current assets
974
1,274
Property, plant and equipment—net
8,170
8,623
Investment in affiliate
88
93
Goodwill
2,365
2,353
Operating lease right-of-use assets
280
—
Other assets
295
318
Total assets
$
12,172
$
12,661
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
437
$
545
Income taxes payable
1
5
Customer advances
119
149
Current operating lease liabilities
90
—
Other current liabilities
18
6
Total current liabilities
665
705
Long-term debt
3,957
4,698
Deferred income taxes
1,246
1,117
Operating lease liabilities
193
—
Other liabilities
474
410
Equity:
Stockholders’ equity
2,897
2,958
Noncontrolling interest
2,740
2,773
Total equity
5,637
5,731
Total liabilities and equity
$
12,172
$
12,661
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS,
INC.
SELECTED FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
CASH FLOWS
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
(in millions)
Operating Activities:
Net earnings
$
94
$
95
$
646
$
428
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
212
221
875
888
Deferred income taxes
33
41
149
78
Stock-based compensation expense
4
5
28
22
Unrealized net loss (gain) on natural gas
derivatives
11
(2
)
14
(13
)
Loss (gain) on embedded derivative
1
(1
)
4
1
Loss on debt extinguishment
21
—
21
—
Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant
and equipment
3
7
(40
)
6
Undistributed (earnings) losses of
affiliate—net of taxes
(1
)
2
2
(3
)
Changes in:
Accounts receivable—net
73
37
(6
)
68
Inventories
(43
)
(49
)
(26
)
(52
)
Accrued and prepaid income taxes
10
(5
)
22
8
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(5
)
70
(72
)
44
Customer advances
(65
)
(165
)
(30
)
59
Other—net
(46
)
(2
)
(82
)
(37
)
Net cash provided by operating
activities
302
254
1,505
1,497
Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and
equipment
(107
)
(144
)
(404
)
(422
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and
equipment
(1
)
7
70
26
Distributions received from unconsolidated
affiliate
—
—
—
10
Insurance proceeds for property, plant and
equipment
—
—
15
10
Other—net
—
—
—
1
Net cash used in investing activities
(108
)
(137
)
(319
)
(375
)
Financing Activities:
Payments of long-term borrowings
(769
)
—
(769
)
—
Payment to CHS related to credit
provision
(5
)
(5
)
(5
)
(5
)
Financing fees
(3
)
—
(3
)
1
Dividends paid on common stock
(65
)
(70
)
(265
)
(280
)
Acquisition of noncontrolling interests in
TNCLP
—
—
—
(388
)
Distributions to noncontrolling
interests
—
—
(186
)
(139
)
Purchases of treasury stock
(90
)
(380
)
(370
)
(467
)
Issuances of common stock under employee
stock plans
2
2
19
12
Shares withheld for taxes
—
(3
)
(4
)
(4
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(930
)
(456
)
(1,583
)
(1,270
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
and cash equivalents
4
(1
)
2
(5
)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
(732
)
(340
)
(395
)
(153
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period
1,019
1,022
682
835
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of period
$
287
$
682
$
287
$
682
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC. SELECTED
FINANCIAL INFORMATION NON-GAAP DISCLOSURE ITEMS
Reconciliation of net cash provided by operating activities
(GAAP measure) to free cash flow (non-GAAP measure):
Free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating
activities, as stated in the consolidated statements of cash flows,
reduced by capital expenditures and distributions to noncontrolling
interests. The company has presented free cash flow because
management uses this measure and believes it is useful to
investors, as an indication of the strength of the company and its
ability to generate cash and to evaluate the company’s cash
generation ability relative to its industry competitors.
Year ended
Year ended
December 31, 2019
December 31, 2018
Net cash provided by operating
activities
$
1,505
$
1,497
Capital expenditures
(404
)
(422
)
Distributions to noncontrolling
interests
(186
)
(139
)
Free cash flow
$
915
$
936
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC. SELECTED
FINANCIAL INFORMATION NON-GAAP DISCLOSURE ITEMS (CONTINUED)
Reconciliation of net earnings attributable to common
stockholders and net earnings attributable to common stockholders
per ton (GAAP measures) to EBITDA, EBITDA per ton, adjusted EBITDA
and adjusted EBITDA per ton (non-GAAP measures), as
applicable:
EBITDA is defined as net earnings attributable to common
stockholders plus interest expense—net, income taxes and
depreciation and amortization. Other adjustments include the
elimination of loan fee amortization that is included in both
interest and amortization, and the portion of depreciation that is
included in noncontrolling interests.
The company has presented EBITDA and EBITDA per ton because
management uses these measures to track performance and believes
that they are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and
other interested parties in the evaluation of companies in the
industry.
Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA adjusted with the selected
items included in EBITDA as summarized in the table below. The
company has presented adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA per ton
because management uses these measures, and believes they are
useful to investors, as supplemental financial measures in the
comparison of year-over-year performance.
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
(in millions)
Net earnings
$
94
$
95
$
646
$
428
Less: Net earnings attributable to
noncontrolling interests
(39
)
(46
)
(153
)
(138
)
Net earnings attributable to common
stockholders
55
49
493
290
Interest expense—net
47
57
217
228
Income tax provision
13
46
126
119
Depreciation and amortization
212
221
875
888
Less other adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization in
noncontrolling interests(1)
(19
)
(21
)
(82
)
(87
)
Loan fee amortization(2)
(2
)
(3
)
(9
)
(9
)
EBITDA
306
349
1,620
1,429
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain)
on natural gas derivatives
11
(2
)
14
(13
)
Gain on foreign currency transactions
including intercompany loans
(13
)
(6
)
(1
)
(5
)
Gain on sale of Pine Bend facility
—
—
(45
)
—
Property insurance proceeds(3)
—
—
(15
)
(10
)
Costs related to acquisition of TNCLP
units
—
—
—
2
PLNL withholding tax charge(4)
—
—
16
—
Loss on debt extinguishment
21
—
21
—
Total adjustments
19
(8
)
(10
)
(26
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
325
$
341
$
1,610
$
1,403
Net sales
$
1,049
$
1,132
$
4,590
$
4,429
Tons of product sold (000s)
4,983
4,723
19,538
19,329
Net earnings attributable to common
stockholders per ton
$
11.04
$
10.37
$
25.23
$
15.00
EBITDA per ton
$
61.41
$
73.89
$
82.92
$
73.93
Adjusted EBITDA per ton
$
65.22
$
72.20
$
82.40
$
72.59
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
For the three and twelve months ended
December 31, 2019, and the three months ended December 31, 2018,
amount relates only to CFN, as we purchased the remaining publicly
traded common units of Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. (TNCLP) on
April 2, 2018. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2018,
amount includes $83 million related to CFN and $4 million related
to TNCLP.
(2)
Loan fee amortization is included in both
interest expense—net and depreciation and amortization.
(3)
Represents proceeds related to a property
insurance claim at one of our nitrogen complexes.
(4)
Represents a charge in the twelve months
ended December 31, 2019 on the books of Point Lisas Nitrogen
Limited (PLNL), the company’s Trinidad joint venture, for a tax
withholding matter. Amount reflects our 50% equity interest in
PLNL.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC. SELECTED
FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEMS AFFECTING COMPARABILITY
During the three months and year ended December 31, 2019 and
2018, certain items impacted our financial results. The following
table outlines these items and how they impacted the comparability
of our financial results during these periods. During the three
months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we reported net earnings
attributable to common stockholders of $55 million and $49 million,
respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we
reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $493
million and $290 million, respectively.
Three months ended December
31,
Year ended December
31,
2019
2018
2019
2018
Pre-Tax
After-Tax
Pre-Tax
After-Tax
Pre-Tax
After-Tax
Pre-Tax
After-Tax
(in millions)
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain)
on natural gas derivatives(1)
$
11
$
7
$
(2
)
$
(2
)
$
14
$
10
$
(13
)
$
(10
)
Gain on foreign currency transactions,
including intercompany loans(2)
(13
)
(10
)
(6
)
(5
)
(1
)
(1
)
(5
)
(4
)
Gain on sale of Pine Bend facility(2)
—
—
—
—
(45
)
(34
)
—
—
Insurance proceeds(2)(3)
—
—
—
—
(37
)
(28
)
(10
)
(8
)
Loss on debt extinguishment
21
16
—
—
21
16
—
—
Settlement of Terra Industries Inc.
amended tax returns(4)
(5
)
(14
)
—
—
(5
)
(14
)
—
—
Louisiana incentive tax credit(5)
—
—
—
—
—
(30
)
—
—
Impact of U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs
Act(5)
—
—
—
16
—
—
—
16
PLNL withholding tax charge(6)(7)
—
—
—
—
16
16
—
—
PLNL settlement income(7)
—
—
—
—
—
—
(19
)
(19
)
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)
Included in cost of sales in our
consolidated statements of operations.
(2)
Included in other operating—net in our
consolidated statements of operations.
(3)
Represents proceeds related to an
insurance claim at one of our nitrogen complexes. Consists of $22
million related to business interruption insurance proceeds and $15
million related to property insurance proceeds. The $10 million of
insurance proceeds in 2018 is related to property insurance
proceeds.
(4)
Included in interest income and income tax
provision in our consolidated statement of operations.
(5)
Included in income tax provision in our
consolidated statement of operations.
(6)
Represents a charge in the twelve months
ended December 31, 2019 on the books of PLNL, the company’s
Trinidad joint venture, for a tax withholding matter. Amount
reflects our 50% equity interest in PLNL.
(7)
Included in equity in earnings (loss) of
operating affiliate in our consolidated statements of
operations.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005867/en/
Media Chris Close Director, Corporate Communications
847-405-2542 - cclose@cfindustries.com Investors Martin
Jarosick Vice President, Investor Relations 847-405-2045 -
mjarosick@cfindustries.com
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