2024年6月17日，斯倫貝謝公司CEO Olivier Le Peuch在紐約舉行的J.P. Morgan能源、電力和可再生能源大會上發表了演講，討論了斯倫貝謝公司的業績策略和前景等方面。與會議有關的幻燈片可在斯倫貝謝公司投資者關係網站https://investorcenter.slb.com/news-events/events-presentations上獲得。
•在路易斯安那州唐納爾森維爾（世界上最大的氨生產綜合體）有六個美國製造業-半導體設施；愛荷華州的軍士峽谷（我們的波特尼爾綜合體）；密西西比州的雅祖市；俄克拉荷馬州的克萊爾莫爾（我們的維爾德格里斯綜合體）；俄克拉荷馬州的伍德沃德；以及路易斯安那州的瓦加曼。瓦加曼設施完全由我們擁有，其他五個美國製造業-半導體設施則完全由CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC（CFN）直接或間接擁有，我們擁有大約89%的股份，CHS Inc - Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 4擁有其餘股份（有關我們與CHS的戰略創業公司更多信息，請參見注釋14—非控制性權益）;
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net Sales
Our total net sales decreased $648 million, or 13%, to $4.41 billion in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $5.06 billion in the first nine months of 2023. The change in our net sales reflects (i) the impact of the Waggaman acquisition completed on December 1, 2023, which increased our net sales by $191 million, and (ii) a $839 million, or 17%, decline in our net sales excluding the impact of the Waggaman acquisition, due primarily to a decrease in average selling prices of approximately 13%.
Our average selling price was $311 per ton in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $356 per ton in the first nine months of 2023, due to lower average selling prices across all our segments, as lower global energy costs reduced the global market clearing price required to meet global demand. The impact of lower average selling prices was a decrease in net sales of approximately $680 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Our total sales volume was 14.2 million product tons in both the first nine months of 2024 and the first nine months of 2023, as lower sales volume in our UAN, Other and AN segments was partially offset by higher sales volume in our Ammonia segment driven by the impact of the Waggaman acquisition. Excluding the impact of the Waggaman acquisition, the impact of lower sales volume was a decrease in net sales of approximately $159 million.
Cost of Sales
Our total cost of sales decreased $136 million, or 5%, to $2.88 billion in the first nine months of 2024 from $3.02 billion in the first nine months of 2023. The decrease in our cost of sales primarily reflects lower costs for natural gas, including the impact of realized derivatives. The impact of lower natural gas costs decreased cost of sales by $390 million, excluding the impact of the Waggaman acquisition. The impact of lower natural gas costs was partially offset by higher costs for planned and unplanned maintenance and repair activities in the first nine months of 2024, including as a result of the adverse weather in January 2024, as discussed above under “Nitrogen Sales Volume,” and the impact of the Waggaman acquisition, which increased our cost of sales by $158 million.
Cost of sales also includes the impact of a $33 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the first nine months of 2024 compared to a $65 million gain in the first nine months of 2023.
Cost of sales averaged $203 per ton in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $212 per ton in the first nine months of 2023. Our cost of natural gas, including the impact of realized derivatives, decreased 39% to $2.38 per MMBtu in the first nine months of 2024 from $3.90 per MMBtu in the first nine months of 2023.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $29 million to $242 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $213 million in the first nine months of 2023. The increase was due primarily to an increase in amortization expense as a result of the customer relationships recognized in conjunction with the Waggaman acquisition on December 1, 2023, and an increase in costs related to certain corporate initiatives.
Acquisition and Integration Costs
On December 1, 2023, we acquired an ammonia production facility located in Waggaman, Louisiana, as described above under “Acquisition of Waggaman Ammonia Production Facility.” In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we incurred $4 million of integration costs related to the Waggaman acquisition. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we incurred $25 million of acquisition-related costs and $2 million of integration costs.
Other Operating—Net
Other operating—net was $18 million of income in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $19 million of income in the first nine months of 2023. In both the first nine months of 2024 and 2023, the income recognized consists primarily of gains on sales of emission credits, partially offset by costs related to FEED studies for our clean energy initiatives. See “Our Strategy,” above, for additional information related to our clean energy initiatives.
Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Operating Affiliate
Equity in earnings (losses) of operating affiliate was $1 million of earnings in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $12 million of losses in the first nine months of 2023, which includes an impairment of our equity method investment in PLNL of $43 million. See “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Impairment of equity method investment in PLNL,” above, for further discussion. Lower equity in earnings of operating affiliate in the first nine months of 2024 compared to the first nine months of 2023, excluding the impact from the impairment charge, primarily reflects a decrease in the operating results of PLNL as a result of a plant turnaround in the second quarter of 2024 at the PLNL facility in Trinidad, lower ammonia selling prices, higher natural gas costs and lower operating rates at PLNL due to lower availability of natural gas.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $74 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $115 million in the first nine months of 2023. The decrease of $41 million was due primarily to a $37 million reduction in interest expense related to discretionary interest relief that is further described above under “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter.”
Interest Income
Interest income was $90 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $115 million in the first nine months of 2023. The decrease of $25 million was due primarily to a decrease in interest income on short-term investments, partially offset by $3 million in interest income related to discretionary interest relief that is further described above under “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter.”
Income Tax Provision
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded an income tax provision of $244 million on pre-tax income of $1.33 billion, or an effective tax rate of 18.4%, compared to an income tax provision of $326 million on pre-tax income of $1.81 billion, or an effective tax rate of 18.0%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Our effective tax rate is impacted by earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest in CFN, as our consolidated income tax provision does not include a tax provision on the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 of 18.4%, which is based on pre-tax income of $1.33 billion, including $195 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.1 percentage points higher, or 21.5%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest of $195 million. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of 18.0%, which is based on pre-tax income of $1.81 billion, including $235 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 2.7 percentage points higher, or 20.7%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest of $235 million.
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest decreased $40 million to $195 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $235 million in the first nine months of 2023 due to lower earnings of CFN driven by lower average selling prices, partially offset by lower natural gas costs.
Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders decreased $1.56, or 24%, to $4.86 per share in the first nine months of 2024 from $6.42 per share in the first nine months of 2023. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in gross margin, driven by lower average selling prices, partially offset by lower costs for natural gas. Lower gross margin was partially offset by a decrease in the income tax provision resulting from lower profitability and a decrease in net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest. Additionally, diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding declined 6% from 194.9 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 to 183.1 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, due primarily to repurchases of common shares under our share repurchase programs.
Our reportable segments consist of Ammonia, Granular Urea, UAN, AN and Other. These segments are differentiated by products. Our management uses gross margin to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Total other operating costs and expenses (consisting primarily of selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating—net) and non-operating expenses (consisting primarily of interest and income taxes), are centrally managed and are not included in the measurement of segment profitability reviewed by management. The following table presents summary operating results by business segment:
Our Ammonia segment produces anhydrous ammonia (ammonia), which is the base product that we manufacture, containing 82% nitrogen and 18% hydrogen. The results of our Ammonia segment consist of sales of ammonia to external customers for its nitrogen content as a fertilizer, in emissions control and in other industrial applications. In addition, we upgrade ammonia into other nitrogen products such as granular urea, UAN and AN.
The following table presents summary operating data for our Ammonia segment:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024(1)
2023
2024 v. 2023
2024(1)
2023
2024 v. 2023
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales
$
353
$
235
$
118
50
%
$
1,164
$
1,184
$
(20)
(2)
%
Cost of sales
270
214
56
26
%
869
797
72
9
%
Gross margin
$
83
$
21
$
62
295
%
$
295
$
387
$
(92)
(24)
%
Gross margin percentage
23.5
%
8.9
%
14.6
%
25.3
%
32.7
%
(7.4)
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
948
764
184
24
%
2,845
2,469
376
15
%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(2)
778
627
151
24
%
2,333
2,025
308
15
%
Average selling price per product ton
$
372
$
308
$
64
21
%
$
409
$
480
$
(71)
(15)
%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(2)
$
454
$
375
$
79
21
%
$
499
$
585
$
(86)
(15)
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
88
$
27
$
61
226
%
$
104
$
157
$
(53)
(34)
%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(2)
$
107
$
33
$
74
224
%
$
126
$
191
$
(65)
(34)
%
Depreciation and amortization
$
55
$
39
$
16
41
%
$
176
$
117
$
59
50
%
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives
(1)Includes the financial results of the Waggaman ammonia production facility, which we acquired on December 1, 2023. See “Acquisition of Waggaman Ammonia Production Facility” for additional information.
(2)Ammonia represents 82% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2024 Compared to Third Quarter of 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our Ammonia segment increased by $118 million, or 50%, to $353 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $235 million in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in our net sales reflects a 21% increase in average selling prices and a 24% increase in sales volume, including the impact of the Waggaman acquisition completed on December 1, 2023. Average selling prices increased to $372 per ton in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $308 per ton in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in our average selling price was due primarily to lower global supply availability due in part to lower natural gas availability in Trinidad and Egypt.
Ammonia sales volume in the third quarter of 2024 was approximately 948,000 tons, an increase of 184,000 tons, or 24%, compared to the third quarter of 2023. The increase in sales volume was due primarily to the impact of the Waggaman acquisition completed on December 1, 2023, which increased our ammonia sales volume in the third quarter of 2024 by approximately 217,000 tons. The impact of the Waggaman acquisition was partially offset by lower supply availability resulting from lower beginning inventory entering the third quarter of 2024.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Ammonia segment averaged $284 per ton in the third quarter of 2024, a 1% increase from $281 per ton in the third quarter of 2023. The increase was due primarily to higher costs for maintenance activity, partially offset by lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives. The impact of the Waggaman acquisition on our cost of sales per ton in our Ammonia segment was not material.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Ammonia segment increased by $62 million to $83 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $21 million in the third quarter of 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 23.5% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 8.9% in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in gross margin was due primarily to a 21% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $56 million, the impact of the Waggaman acquisition, which increased gross margin by $27 million, and a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $17 million. These factors that increased gross margin were partially offset by a net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which decreased gross margin by $37 million, and, excluding the impact of the
Waggaman acquisition completed on December 1, 2023, a decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $3 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of a $2 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives in the third quarter of 2023.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our Ammonia segment decreased by $20 million, or 2%, to $1.16 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.18 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in our net sales reflects a 15% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 15% increase in sales volume, including the impact of the Waggaman acquisition completed on December 1, 2023. Average selling prices decreased to $409 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $480 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as lower global energy costs reduced the global market clearing price required to meet global demand.
In January 2024, a winter storm produced extremely cold temperatures that impacted our operations, including the temporary shut-down of certain of our plants. As a result of the adverse weather, we incurred additional maintenance costs in the first quarter of 2024. Due to the impact of plant downtime resulting from the adverse weather and additional plant maintenance activity in the first quarter of 2024, we purchased and resold approximately 62,000 tons of ammonia at near breakeven margins in order to fulfill sales commitments.
Ammonia sales volume in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was 2.8 million tons, an increase of 15% compared to 2.5 million tons in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in sales volume reflects the impact of the Waggaman acquisition completed on December 1, 2023, which increased our ammonia sales volume in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 by approximately 500,000 tons, and approximately 62,000 tons of ammonia purchased and resold as described above, partially offset by lower supply availability resulting from lower beginning inventory, and, due to unfavorable weather, lower spring ammonia applications in North America compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Ammonia segment averaged $305 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a 6% decrease from $323 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, partially offset by higher costs for maintenance, repairs and certain unabsorbed fixed costs as a result of plant downtime, including the impact of the adverse weather in January 2024 as discussed above. The impact of the Waggaman acquisition on our cost of sales per ton in our Ammonia segment was not material.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Ammonia segment decreased by $92 million, or 24%, to $295 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $387 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 25.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 32.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 15% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $164 million, a net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which decreased gross margin by $100 million, and, excluding the impact of the Waggaman acquisition, a decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $20 million. These factors that decreased gross margin were partially offset by the impact of a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $166 million, and the impact of the Waggaman acquisition, which increased gross margin by $33 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of a $12 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a $19 million gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Our Granular Urea segment produces granular urea, which contains 46% nitrogen. Produced from ammonia and carbon dioxide, it has the highest nitrogen content of any of our solid nitrogen fertilizers. Granular urea is produced at our Donaldsonville, Port Neal and Medicine Hat complexes.
The following table presents summary operating data for our Granular Urea segment:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024 v. 2023
2024
2023
2024 v. 2023
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales
$
388
$
360
$
28
8
%
$
1,252
$
1,431
$
(179)
(13)
%
Cost of sales
228
226
2
1
%
711
775
(64)
(8)
%
Gross margin
$
160
$
134
$
26
19
%
$
541
$
656
$
(115)
(18)
%
Gross margin percentage
41.2
%
37.2
%
4.0
%
43.2
%
45.8
%
(2.6)
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
1,177
1,062
115
11
%
3,520
3,532
(12)
—
%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)
541
488
53
11
%
1,619
1,625
(6)
—
%
Average selling price per product ton
$
330
$
339
$
(9)
(3)
%
$
356
$
405
$
(49)
(12)
%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)
$
717
$
738
$
(21)
(3)
%
$
773
$
881
$
(108)
(12)
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
136
$
126
$
10
8
%
$
154
$
186
$
(32)
(17)
%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
$
296
$
275
$
21
8
%
$
334
$
404
$
(70)
(17)
%
Depreciation and amortization
$
73
$
66
$
7
11
%
$
218
$
216
$
2
1
%
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives
(1)Granular urea represents 46% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2024 Compared to Third Quarter of 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our Granular Urea segment increased $28 million, or 8%, to $388 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $360 million in the third quarter of 2023 due primarily to an 11% increase in sales volume, partially offset by a 3% decrease in average selling prices. Sales volume was higher due primarily to a production mix that favored granular urea production in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023. Average selling prices decreased to $330 per ton in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $339 per ton in the third quarter of 2023 as lower global energy costs reduced the global market clearing price required to meet global demand.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Granular Urea segment averaged $194 per ton in the third quarter of 2024, a decrease of 9% from $213 per ton in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Granular Urea segment increased by $26 million, or 19%, to $160 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $134 million in the third quarter of 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 41.2% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 37.2% in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in gross margin was due primarily to an 11% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $22 million, a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $15 million, and a net decrease in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased gross margin by $1 million. These factors that increased gross margin were partially offset by 3% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $14 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of a $2 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives in the third quarter of 2023.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our Granular Urea segment decreased $179 million, or 13%, to $1.25 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.43 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due primarily to a 12% decrease in average selling prices. Average selling prices decreased to $356 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $405 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as lower global energy costs reduced the global market clearing price required to meet global demand. Sales volume was 3.5 million tons in both the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. Lower sales volume in the first quarter of 2024, which was due primarily to a reduction in ammonia available
for upgrade and lower supply availability from the impact of severe weather that caused urea plant outages, was largely offset by higher sales volume in the second and third quarters of 2024 due primarily to a production mix that favored granular urea production. Sales volume in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 includes the impact of approximately 48,000 tons of granular urea purchased and resold in the first quarter of 2024 due to the impact of the severe weather described above.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Granular Urea segment averaged $202 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, an 8% decrease from $219 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, partially offset by higher costs associated with maintenance activity in the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Granular Urea segment decreased by $115 million, or 18%, to $541 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $656 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 43.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 45.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 12% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $151 million, a decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $17 million, and a net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which decreased gross margin by $32 million. These factors that decreased gross margin were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $94 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of a $9 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an $18 million gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
UAN Segment
Our UAN segment produces urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN). UAN, a liquid fertilizer product with a nitrogen content that typically ranges from 28% to 32%, is produced by combining urea and ammonium nitrate. UAN is produced at our Courtright, Donaldsonville, Port Neal, Verdigris, Woodward, and Yazoo City complexes.
The following table presents summary operating data for our UAN segment:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024 v. 2023
2024
2023
2024 v. 2023
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales
$
406
$
435
$
(29)
(7)
%
$
1,306
$
1,650
$
(344)
(21)
%
Cost of sales
272
302
(30)
(10)
%
813
937
(124)
(13)
%
Gross margin
$
134
$
133
$
1
1
%
$
493
$
713
$
(220)
(31)
%
Gross margin percentage
33.0
%
30.6
%
2.4
%
37.7
%
43.2
%
(5.5)
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
1,799
1,954
(155)
(8)
%
5,158
5,425
(267)
(5)
%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)
570
616
(46)
(7)
%
1,632
1,710
(78)
(5)
%
Average selling price per product ton
$
226
$
223
$
3
1
%
$
253
$
304
$
(51)
(17)
%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)
$
712
$
706
$
6
1
%
$
800
$
965
$
(165)
(17)
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
74
$
68
$
6
9
%
$
96
$
131
$
(35)
(27)
%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
$
235
$
216
$
19
9
%
$
302
$
417
$
(115)
(28)
%
Depreciation and amortization
$
69
$
78
$
(9)
(12)
%
$
206
$
214
$
(8)
(4)
%
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives
(1)UAN represents between 28% and 32% of nitrogen content, depending on the concentration specified by the customer. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2024 Compared to Third Quarter of 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our UAN segment decreased $29 million, or 7%, to $406 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $435 million in the third quarter of 2023 due to an 8% decrease in sales volume, partially offset by a 1% increase in average selling prices. Sales volume was lower due primarily to lower supply availability resulting from lower production in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the third quarter of 2023.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our UAN segment averaged $152 per ton in the third quarter of 2024, a 2% decrease from $155 per ton in the third quarter of 2023, due primarily to the impact of lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, partially offset by higher costs for maintenance activity.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our UAN segment increased by $1 million, or 1%, to $134 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $133 million in the third quarter of 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 33.0% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 30.6% in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in gross margin was due primarily to a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $7 million, a 1% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $5 million, and a net decrease in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased gross margin by $2 million. These factors that increased gross margin were offset by an 8% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $15 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of a $1 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives in the third quarter of 2024 compared to a $3 million loss in the third quarter of 2023.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our UAN segment decreased $344 million, or 21%, to $1.31 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $1.65 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due primarily to a 17% decrease in average selling prices and a 5% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $253 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $304 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as lower global energy costs reduced the global market clearing price required to meet global demand. Sales volume was lower due primarily to lower supply availability resulting from lower beginning inventory entering 2024.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our UAN segment averaged $157 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a 9% decrease from $173 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, due primarily to the impact of lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our UAN segment decreased by $220 million, or 31%, to $493 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $713 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 37.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 43.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 17% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $273 million, a 5% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $37 million, and a net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which decreased gross margin by $1 million. These factors that decreased gross margin were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $100 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of a $9 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to an $18 million gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Our AN segment produces ammonium nitrate (AN). AN, which has a nitrogen content between 29% and 35%, is produced by combining anhydrous ammonia and nitric acid. AN is used as nitrogen fertilizer and is also used extensively by the commercial explosives industry as a component of explosives. AN is produced at our Yazoo City and Billingham complexes.
The following table presents summary operating data for our AN segment:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024 v. 2023
2024
2023
2024 v. 2023
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales
$
106
$
114
$
(8)
(7)
%
$
318
$
377
$
(59)
(16)
%
Cost of sales
82
79
3
4
%
262
264
(2)
(1)
%
Gross margin
$
24
$
35
$
(11)
(31)
%
$
56
$
113
$
(57)
(50)
%
Gross margin percentage
22.6
%
30.7
%
(8.1)
%
17.6
%
30.0
%
(12.4)
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
377
414
(37)
(9)
%
1,107
1,157
(50)
(4)
%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)
129
141
(12)
(9)
%
379
396
(17)
(4)
%
Average selling price per product ton
$
281
$
275
$
6
2
%
$
287
$
326
$
(39)
(12)
%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)
$
822
$
809
$
13
2
%
$
839
$
952
$
(113)
(12)
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
64
$
85
$
(21)
(25)
%
$
51
$
98
$
(47)
(48)
%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
$
186
$
248
$
(62)
(25)
%
$
148
$
285
$
(137)
(48)
%
Depreciation and amortization
$
10
$
13
$
(3)
(23)
%
$
30
$
36
$
(6)
(17)
%
Unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives
(1)AN represents between 29% and 35% of nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2024 Compared to Third Quarter of 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our AN segment decreased $8 million, or 7%, to $106 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $114 million in the third quarter of 2023 due to a 9% decrease in sales volume, partially offset by a 2% increase in average selling prices. Sales volume declined due primarily to lower supply availability resulting from lower production in the third quarter of 2024. Average selling prices were $281 per ton in the third quarter of 2024 compared to $275 per ton in the third quarter of 2023.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales per ton in our AN segment averaged $217 per ton in the third quarter of 2024, a 14% increase from $190 per ton in the third quarter of 2023 due primarily to a higher cost per ton for purchased ammonia used for upgrading into AN in our United Kingdom operations and higher costs for maintenance activity in North America.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our AN segment decreased $11 million, or 31%, to $24 million in third quarter of 2024 from $35 million in the third quarter of 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 22.6% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 30.7% in the third quarter of 2023. The factors that decreased gross margin were a net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which decreased gross margin by $10 million, and a 9% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $4 million. These factors that decreased gross margin were partially offset by a 2% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $2 million, and a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $1 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our AN segment decreased $59 million, or 16%, to $318 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $377 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to a 12% decrease in average selling prices and a 4% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $287 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to $326 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as lower global energy costs reduced the global market clearing price required to meet global demand.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our AN segment averaged $236 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a 4% increase from $228 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase was due primarily to higher costs for maintenance activity in North America, which was partially offset by the impact of lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, and, for our United Kingdom operations, a lower cost per ton for purchased ammonia used for upgrading into AN.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our AN segment decreased $57 million, or 50%, to $56 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $113 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 17.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 30.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 12% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $65 million and a 4% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $10 million. These factors that decreased gross margin were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $11 million, and a net decrease in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased gross margin by $9 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of a $1 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a $3 million gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Other Segment
Our Other segment primarily includes the following products:
•diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), an aqueous urea solution typically made with 32.5% or 50% high-purity urea and the remainder deionized water;
•urea liquor, a liquid product that we sell in concentrations of 40%, 50% and 70% high-purity urea as a chemical intermediate; and
•nitric acid, a nitrogen-based mineral acid that is used in the production of nitrate-based fertilizers, nylon precursors and other specialty chemicals.
The following table presents summary operating data for our Other segment:
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024 v. 2023
2024
2023
2024 v. 2023
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales
$
117
$
129
$
(12)
(9)
%
$
372
$
418
$
(46)
(11)
%
Cost of sales
74
75
(1)
(1)
%
225
243
(18)
(7)
%
Gross margin
$
43
$
54
$
(11)
(20)
%
$
147
$
175
$
(28)
(16)
%
Gross margin percentage
36.8
%
41.9
%
(5.1)
%
39.5
%
41.9
%
(2.4)
%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
496
551
(55)
(10)
%
1,566
1,635
(69)
(4)
%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)
97
108
(11)
(10)
%
305
321
(16)
(5)
%
Average selling price per product ton
$
236
$
234
$
2
1
%
$
238
$
256
$
(18)
(7)
%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)
$
1,206
$
1,194
$
12
1
%
$
1,220
$
1,302
$
(82)
(6)
%
Gross margin per product ton
$
87
$
98
$
(11)
(11)
%
$
94
$
107
$
(13)
(12)
%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
$
443
$
500
$
(57)
(11)
%
$
482
$
545
$
(63)
(12)
%
Depreciation and amortization
$
15
$
15
$
—
—
%
$
48
$
48
$
—
—
%
Unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives
(1)Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2024 Compared to Third Quarter of 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our Other segment decreased by $12 million, or 9%, to $117 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $129 million in the third quarter of 2023 due to a 10% decrease in sales volume, partially offset by a 1% increase in average selling prices. The decrease in sales volume was due primarily to lower DEF sales volume.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Other segment averaged $149 per ton in the third quarter of 2024, a 10% increase from $136 per ton in the third quarter of 2023, due primarily to higher costs for maintenance activity.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Other segment decreased by $11 million, or 20%, to $43 million in the third quarter of 2024 from $54 million in the third quarter of 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 36.8% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to 41.9% in the third quarter of 2023. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 10% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $9 million and a net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which decreased gross margin by $5 million. These factors that decreased gross margin were partially offset by a 1% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $3 million.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
Net Sales. Net sales in our Other segment decreased by $46 million, or 11%, to $372 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $418 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 due to a 7% decrease in average selling prices and a 4% decrease in sales volume. The decrease in average selling prices was due primarily to lower global energy costs reducing the global market clearing price required to meet global demand. The decrease in sales volume was due primarily to lower DEF sales volume, partially offset by higher nitric acid sales volume.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Other segment averaged $144 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a 3% decrease from $149 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, due primarily to the impact of lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, partially offset by higher costs for maintenance activity.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Other segment decreased by $28 million, or 16%, to $147 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 from $175 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, and our gross margin percentage was 39.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to 41.9% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 7% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $27 million and a 4% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $15 million. These factors that decreased gross margin were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $19 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of a $2 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2024 compared to a $7 million gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary uses of cash are generally for operating costs, working capital, capital expenditures, debt service, investments, taxes, share repurchases, and dividends. Our working capital requirements are affected by several factors, including demand for our products, selling prices, raw material costs, freight costs and seasonal factors inherent in the business. We may also utilize our cash to fund acquisitions. In addition, we may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases, in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
Generally, our primary source of cash is cash from operations, which includes cash generated by customer advances. We may also from time to time access the capital markets or engage in borrowings under our revolving credit agreement.
As of September 30, 2024, our cash and cash equivalents balance was $1.88 billion, a decrease of $155 million from $2.03 billion at December 31, 2023. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents primarily reflects cash used for share repurchases, capital expenditures, distributions to the noncontrolling interest, and the payment of dividends, partially offset by cash generated by operations, as described below under “Cash Flows.” At September 30, 2024, we were in compliance with all applicable covenant requirements under our revolving credit agreement and senior notes, and unused borrowing capacity under our revolving credit agreement was $750 million.
In the first, second and third quarters of 2024, quarterly dividends of $0.50 per common share were declared and paid, representing a 25% increase from the quarterly dividend of $0.40 per common share that was declared and paid in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with original maturities of three months or less. Under our short-term investment policy, we may invest our cash balances, either directly or through mutual funds, in several types of investment-grade securities, including notes and bonds issued by governmental entities or corporations. Securities issued by governmental entities include those issued directly by the U.S. and Canadian
federal governments; those issued by state, local or other governmental entities; and those guaranteed by entities affiliated with governmental entities.
Capital Spending
We make capital expenditures to sustain our asset base, increase our capacity or capabilities, improve plant efficiency, comply with various environmental, health and safety requirements, and invest in our clean energy strategy. Capital expenditures totaled $321 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $311 million in the first nine months of 2023.
We currently anticipate that capital expenditures for the full year 2024 will be approximately $525 million. Planned capital expenditures are generally subject to change due to delays in regulatory approvals or permitting, unanticipated increases in cost, changes in scope and completion time, performance of third parties, delays in the receipt of equipment, adverse weather, defects in materials and workmanship, labor or material shortages, transportation constraints, acceleration or delays in the timing of the work and other unforeseen difficulties. Any of these changes in planned capital expenditures, individually or in the aggregate, could have a material impact on our results of operations and cash flows.
Acquisition of Waggaman Ammonia Production Facility
On December 1, 2023, we acquired an ammonia production facility located in Waggaman, Louisiana from Dyno Nobel Louisiana Ammonia, LLC (DNLA), a U.S. subsidiary of Australia-based Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL), pursuant to an asset purchase agreement with DNLA and IPL. The facility has a nameplate production capacity of 880,000 tons of ammonia annually. Our acquisition of the Waggaman facility expanded our ammonia manufacturing and distribution capacity, including our ability to enable low-carbon ammonia production.
In connection with the acquisition, we entered into a long-term ammonia offtake agreement providing for us to supply up to 200,000 tons of ammonia per year to IPL’s Dyno Nobel, Inc. subsidiary. Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement, $425 million of the purchase price of $1.675 billion, subject to adjustment, was allocated by the parties to the ammonia offtake agreement. We funded the balance of the initial purchase price on the acquisition date with $1.223 billion of cash on hand.
The consideration transferred on the acquisition date reflected an estimated net working capital adjustment and other adjustments to the purchase price, which was subject to further adjustment pursuant to the terms of the asset purchase agreement. The purchase price adjustments required under the asset purchase agreement were finalized in the second quarter of 2024, which resulted in a $2 million reduction in the purchase price with a corresponding reduction in goodwill. As a result, the final purchase price was $1.221 billion.
The financial results of the Waggaman facility are included in our consolidated statement of operations and in our Ammonia segment from the acquisition date of December 1, 2023. See Note 5—Acquisition of Waggaman Ammonia Production Facility for additional information.
Share Repurchase Programs
On November 3, 2021, our Board of Directors (the Board) authorized the repurchase of up to $1.5 billion of CF Holdings common stock through December 31, 2024 (the 2021 Share Repurchase Program). The 2021 Share Repurchase Program was completed in the second quarter of 2023. On November 2, 2022, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $3 billion of CF Holdings common stock commencing upon completion of the 2021 Share Repurchase Program and effective through December 31, 2025 (the 2022 Share Repurchase Program). Repurchases under our share repurchase programs may be made from time to time in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, through block transactions, through accelerated share repurchase programs, or otherwise. The manner, timing and amount of repurchases will be determined by our management based on the evaluation of market conditions, stock price, and other factors.
(1)As defined in the 2022 Share Repurchase Program, amounts reflect the price paid for the shares of common stock repurchased, excluding commissions paid to brokers and excise taxes.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we repurchased approximately 14.4 million shares under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program for $1.13 billion. In the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we retired approximately 8.5 million shares of repurchased stock, and we held approximately 6.1 million shares of treasury stock as of September 30, 2024.
In the second quarter of 2023, we completed the 2021 Share Repurchase Program with the repurchase of approximately 2.3 million shares for $155 million. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program for $200 million, and we retired approximately 3.3 million shares of repurchased stock.
Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter
In connection with the matter described above under “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter,” in the third quarter of 2024, we were informed that the CRA granted us discretionary interest relief for certain tax years from 2006 through 2011. Based on current estimates and foreign currency exchange rates as of September 30, 2024, the interest relief from the CRA and Alberta TRA is estimated to be approximately $40 million, consisting of interest refunds of $37 million and related interest of $3 million. As a result, in the third quarter of 2024, we recognized a $37 million reduction in interest expense and $3 million of interest income in our consolidated statement of operations. We expect to receive the interest refunds in late 2024 or 2025.
Debt
Revolving Credit Agreement
We have a senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the Revolving Credit Agreement), which provides for a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million with a maturity of October 26, 2028 and includes a letter of credit sub-limit of $125 million. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases and other general corporate purposes. CF Industries is the lead borrower, and CF Holdings is the sole guarantor, under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement can be denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros and British pounds. Borrowings in U.S. dollars bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at our option, an applicable adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate or base rate plus, in either case, a specified margin. We are required to pay an undrawn commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Agreement and customary letter of credit fees. The specified margin and the amount of the commitment fee depended on CF Holdings’ credit rating at the time. The Revolving Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including a financial covenant.
As of September 30, 2024, we had unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement of $750 million and no outstanding letters of credit under the Revolving Credit Agreement. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2024 or December 31, 2023, or during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Letters of Credit Under Bilateral Agreement
We are party to a bilateral agreement providing for the issuance of up to $425 million of letters of credit. As of September 30, 2024, approximately $344 million of letters of credit were outstanding under this agreement.
Senior Notes
Long-term debt presented on our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 consisted of the following debt securities issued by CF Industries:
(1)Carrying amount is net of unamortized debt discount and deferred debt issuance costs. Total unamortized debt discount was $6 million and $7 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, and total deferred debt issuance costs were $24 million and $25 million as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
(2)Effective August 23, 2021, these notes are no longer secured, in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture.
Under the terms of the indentures (including the applicable supplemental indentures) governing our senior notes due 2034, 2043 and 2044 identified in the table above (the Public Senior Notes), each series of Public Senior Notes is guaranteed by CF Holdings. Under the terms of the indenture governing the 4.500% senior secured notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes), the 2026 Notes are guaranteed by CF Holdings.
Interest on the Public Senior Notes and the 2026 Notes is payable semiannually, and the Public Senior Notes and the 2026 Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at specified make-whole redemption prices.
Forward Sales and Customer Advances
We offer our customers the opportunity to purchase products from us on a forward basis at prices and on delivery dates we propose. Therefore, our reported fertilizer selling prices and margins may differ from market spot prices and margins available at the time of shipment.
Customer advances, which typically represent a portion of the contract’s value, are received shortly after the contract is executed, with any remaining unpaid amount generally being collected by the time control transfers to the customer, thereby reducing or eliminating the accounts receivable related to such sales. Any cash payments received in advance from customers in connection with forward sales contracts are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a current liability until control transfers and revenue is recognized. As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had $348 million and $130 million, respectively, in customer advances on our consolidated balance sheets.
While customer advances are generally a significant source of liquidity, the level of forward sales contracts is affected by many factors, including current market conditions, our customers’ outlook of future market fundamentals and seasonality. During periods of declining prices, customers tend to delay purchasing fertilizer in anticipation that prices in the future will be lower than the current prices. If the level of sales under our forward sales programs were to decrease in the future, our cash received from customer advances would likely decrease and our accounts receivable balances would likely increase.
Additionally, borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement could become necessary. Due to the volatility inherent in our business and changing customer expectations, we cannot estimate the amount of future forward sales activity.
Under our forward sales programs, a customer may delay delivery of an order due to weather conditions or other factors. These delays generally subject the customer to potential charges for storage or may be grounds for termination of the contract by us. Such a delay in scheduled shipment or termination of a forward sales contract due to a customer’s inability or unwillingness to perform may negatively impact our reported sales.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in prices for natural gas that will be purchased in the future. Natural gas is the largest and most volatile component of our manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based products. From time to time, we may also use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Volatility in reported quarterly earnings can result from the unrealized mark-to-market adjustments in the value of the derivatives. As of September 30, 2024, our open natural gas derivative contracts consisted of natural gas basis swaps for 17.5 million MMBtus of natural gas. As of December 31, 2023, our open natural gas derivative contracts consisted of natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and options for 49.0 million MMBtus of natural gas.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
We contributed $22 million to our pension plans in the nine months ended September 30, 2024. Over the remainder of 2024, we expect to contribute approximately $1 million to our pension plans, which would result in our making total contributions of approximately $23 million to our pension plans for the full year 2024. In addition, as of September 30, 2024, we expect to contribute to our U.K. pension plans a total of approximately £18 million (or $24 million) for the three-year period from 2025 to 2027, as currently agreed with the plans’ trustees.
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest in CFN
On January 31, 2024, CFN distributed approximately $144 million to CHS for the distribution period ended December 31, 2023. On July 31, 2024, the CFN Board of Managers approved semi-annual distribution payments for the distribution period ended June 30, 2024 in accordance with CFN’s limited liability company agreement, and CFN distributed approximately $164 million to CHS for this distribution period. The estimate of the partnership distribution earned by CHS, but not yet declared, for the third quarter of 2024 is approximately $65 million.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2024 was $1.85 billion, a decrease of $426 million, compared to $2.28 billion in the first nine months of 2023. The decrease in cash flow from operations was due primarily to lower net earnings and changes in net working capital. Net earnings for the first nine months of 2024 was $1.09 billion compared to $1.49 billion for the first nine months of 2023, a decrease of $401 million. The decrease in net earnings was due primarily to a decrease in gross margin, driven by lower average selling prices, partially offset by lower natural gas costs. During the first nine months of 2024, net changes in working capital contributed $64 million less toward net cash from operations, than in the first nine months of 2023. These changes primarily occurred in accounts receivable and inventories, partially offset by changes in accounts payable, accrued expenses and customer advances.
Net cash used in investing activities was $273 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $271 million in the first nine months of 2023. Capital expenditures totaled $321 million during the first nine months of 2024 compared to $311 million in the first nine months of 2023. Proceeds from the sale of emission credits was $47 million in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $39 million in the first nine months of 2023.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.74 billion in the first nine months of 2024 compared to $1.07 billion in the first nine months of 2023. The increase was due primarily to an increase in share repurchases and dividends paid, partially offset by a decrease in distributions to noncontrolling interest. In the first nine months of 2024, we paid $1.13 billion for share repurchases compared to $355 million paid for share repurchases in the first nine months of 2023. In the first nine months of 2024, dividends paid on common stock was $278 million compared to $235 million in the first nine months of 2023. The increase in dividends paid on common stock reflects quarterly dividends of $0.50 per common share declared and paid in the first three quarters of 2024, compared to quarterly dividends of $0.40 per common share that were declared and paid in the first three quarters of 2023. In the first nine months of 2024, distributions to the noncontrolling interest were $308 million compared to $459 million in the first nine months of 2023.
During the first nine months of 2024, there were no material changes to our critical accounting estimates as described in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2—New Accounting Standards for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
Forward-Looking Statements
From time to time, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as in other written reports and oral statements, we make forward-looking statements that are not statements of historical fact and may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may also relate to our prospects, future developments and business strategies. We have used the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” or “would” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions, to identify forward-looking statements in this document. These forward-looking statements are made based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data, our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries and markets in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions concerning future events affecting us. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, our actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. We want to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any responsibility to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this document. Additionally, we do not undertake any responsibility to provide updates regarding the occurrence of any unanticipated events which may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this document.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2024. Such factors include, among others:
•the cyclical nature of our business and the impact of global supply and demand on our selling prices;
•the global commodity nature of our nitrogen products, the conditions in the international market for nitrogen products, and the intense global competition from other producers;
•conditions in the United States, Europe and other agricultural areas, including the influence of governmental policies and technological developments on the demand for our fertilizer products;
•the volatility of natural gas prices in North America and the United Kingdom;
•weather conditions and the impact of adverse weather events;
•the seasonality of the fertilizer business;
•the impact of changing market conditions on our forward sales programs;
•difficulties in securing the supply and delivery of raw materials or utilities, increases in their costs or delays or interruptions in their delivery;
•reliance on third party providers of transportation services and equipment;
•our reliance on a limited number of key facilities;
•risks associated with cybersecurity;
•acts of terrorism and regulations to combat terrorism;
•risks associated with international operations;
•the significant risks and hazards involved in producing and handling our products against which we may not be fully insured;
•our ability to manage our indebtedness and any additional indebtedness that may be incurred;
•our ability to maintain compliance with covenants under our revolving credit agreement and the agreements governing our indebtedness;
•downgrades of our credit ratings;
•risks associated with changes in tax laws and disagreements with taxing authorities;
•risks involving derivatives and the effectiveness of our risk management and hedging activities;
•potential liabilities and expenditures related to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and permitting requirements;
•regulatory restrictions and requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions;
•the development and growth of the market for green and low-carbon (blue) ammonia and the risks and uncertainties relating to the development and implementation of our green and low-carbon ammonia projects; and
•risks associated with expansions of our business, including unanticipated adverse consequences and the significant resources that could be required.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We are exposed to the impact of changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
Commodity Prices
Our gross margin, cash flows and estimates of future cash flows related to nitrogen-based products are sensitive not only to selling prices of our products, but also to changes in market prices of natural gas and other raw materials. A $1.00 per MMBtu change in the price of natural gas would change the cost to produce a ton of ammonia, granular urea, UAN (assuming a 32% nitrogen content), and AN by approximately $32, $22, $14 and $15, respectively.
Natural gas is the largest and most volatile component of the manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based products. At certain times, we have managed the risk of changes in natural gas prices through the use of derivative financial instruments. The derivative instruments that we may use for this purpose are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and options. These derivatives settle using primarily a NYMEX futures price index, which represents the basis for fair value at any given time. The contracts represent anticipated natural gas needs for future periods and settlements are scheduled to coincide with anticipated natural gas purchases during those future periods. As of September 30, 2024, we had natural gas derivative contracts covering certain periods through March 2025.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had open derivative contracts for 17.5 million MMBtus and 49.0 million MMBtus, respectively. A $1.00 per MMBtu increase in the forward curve prices of natural gas at September 30, 2024 would result in a favorable change in the fair value of these derivative positions of approximately $17 million, and a $1.00 per MMBtu decrease in the forward curve prices of natural gas would change their fair value unfavorably by approximately $17 million.
From time to time, we may purchase nitrogen products on the open market to augment or replace production at our facilities.
Interest Rates
As of September 30, 2024, we had four series of senior notes totaling $3.00 billion of principal outstanding with maturity dates of December 1, 2026, March 15, 2034, June 1, 2043, and March 15, 2044. The senior notes have fixed interest rates. As of September 30, 2024, the carrying value and fair value of our senior notes was approximately $2.97 billion and $2.95 billion, respectively.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear current market rates of interest plus a specified margin, and we are subject to interest rate risk on such borrowings. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2024, as of December 31, 2023, or during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
We are directly exposed to changes in the value of the Canadian dollar, the British pound and the euro. We generally do not maintain any exchange rate derivatives or hedges related to these currencies.
(a) Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in (i) ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
The following table sets forth share repurchases, on a trade date basis, for each of the three months of the quarter ended September 30, 2024.
(1)Average price paid per share of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (CF Holdings) common stock repurchased under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program, as defined below, is the execution price, excluding commissions paid to brokers and excise taxes.
(2)On November 2, 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $3 billion of CF Holdings common stock, which is effective through December 31, 2025 (the 2022 Share Repurchase Program). This share repurchase program is discussed in Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Share Repurchase Programs in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Note 15—Stockholders’ Equity, in the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1. Financial Statements in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
(3)Includes 26,027 shares withheld to pay strike price and employee tax obligations upon the exercise of nonqualified stock options and upon the lapse of restrictions on performance restricted stock units and restricted stock units.
(4)Includes 857 shares withheld to pay employee tax obligations upon the lapse of restrictions on performance restricted stock units and restricted stock units.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.
During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, there were no Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (as defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K) or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangements (as defined in Item 408(c) of Regulation S-K) adopted or terminated by any director or officer (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) of CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.
A list of exhibits filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (or incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed or furnished) is provided in the Exhibit Index below.
The following financial information from CF Industries Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (1) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (2) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (3) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (4) Consolidated Statements of Equity, (5) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (6) Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (included in the Exhibit 101 Inline XBRL Document Set)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Date: October 31, 2024
By:
/s/ W. ANTHONY WILL
W. Anthony Will
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date: October 31, 2024
By:
/s/ GREGORY D. CAMERON
Gregory D. Cameron
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer