All amounts are in US dollars except as otherwise noted

Nutrien Ltd. (TSX and NYSE: NTR) announced today its 2020 third quarter results, with a net loss of $587 million ($1.03 diluted loss per share), which includes a non-cash impairment of $823 million, primarily related to our Phosphate operations. Third-quarter adjusted net earnings were $0.23 per share (adjusted EBITDA was $670 million), excluding the impairment. Adjusted net earnings includes a net tax benefit of $48 million ($0.08 per diluted share) related primarily to recoveries of prior year taxes due to US legislative changes. Adjusted net earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA (consolidated), together with the related guidance and potash cash cost of product manufactured are non-IFRS financial measures. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section for further information.

“Nutrien delivered another quarter of solid operating results with strong fertilizer sales volumes and exceptional growth of orders through our digital agriculture platform, surpassing $1 billion of sales. Market conditions are improving around the world with higher crop and fertilizer prices, lower expected inventories and strong demand for crop inputs as we finish the year and enter 2021,” commented Chuck Magro, Nutrien’s President and CEO.

Highlights:

  • In the third quarter of 2020, we recognized a non-cash impairment of $823 million associated primarily with our Phosphate assets related to a less favorable long-term outlook for phosphate prices and expected global supply imbalance.
  • Retail delivered 13 percent higher adjusted EBITDA in the first nine months of 2020, over the same period in 2019 as a result of double-digit growth in sales and gross margin. Adjusted EBITDA in the third quarter of 2020 was 15 percent lower due to elevated applications in the same period last year caused by the timing of the growing season, and was further impacted by lower insecticide and fungicide applications this quarter as a result of lower than expected US acreage and dry conditions. Total sales through our leading digital retail platform exceeded $1.0 billion in the first nine months of 2020, more than double our annual goal of $500 million. Digital sales in the first nine months of 2020 accounted for 43 percent of North American sales of products that were available for purchase online.
  • Potash sales volumes in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 were higher compared to the same periods in 2019, and Nutrien is fully committed on offshore potash sales volumes and well subscribed domestically for the remainder of the year. Potash adjusted EBITDA was down 19 percent and 33 percent in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 respectively, compared to the same periods last year as strong sales volumes and lower cost of goods sold per tonne were more than offset by lower net realized selling prices. Potash cash cost of product manufactured was $53 per tonne in the third quarter, the second lowest on record and $9 per tonne lower than in the third quarter of 2019.
  • Nitrogen adjusted EBITDA was 21 percent lower in the third quarter and 17 percent lower in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the same periods last year due to lower net realized selling prices and lower industrial sales volumes. We delivered higher sales volumes, lower cost of goods sold and higher ammonia utilization rates (93 percent versus 90 percent) in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the same period last year. In the third quarter, we also made the decision to indefinitely close the smallest of our four ammonia plants in Trinidad. The closure is expected to enhance the competitiveness at that site, and we are now running three plants at normal production levels.
  • Nutrien’s full-year 2020 adjusted net earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA guidance range is narrowed to $1.60 to $1.85 per share and $3.5 billion to $3.7 billion, respectively due to increased visibility in each of our business units to the end of the year.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

The following management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) is the responsibility of management and is dated as of November 2, 2020. The Board of Directors (“Board”) of Nutrien carries out its responsibility for review of this disclosure principally through its audit committee, comprised exclusively of independent directors. The audit committee reviews and, prior to its publication approves this disclosure pursuant to the authority delegated to it by the Board. The term “Nutrien” refers to Nutrien Ltd. and the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “Nutrien” and “the Company” refer to Nutrien and, as applicable, Nutrien and its direct and indirect subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Additional information relating to Nutrien (which, except as otherwise noted, is not incorporated by reference herein), including our 2019 Annual Report dated February 19, 2020, which includes our annual audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A and our Annual Information Form, each for the year ended December 31, 2019, can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. No update is provided to the disclosure in our annual MD&A except for material information since the date of our annual MD&A. The Company is a foreign private issuer under the rules and regulations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

This MD&A is based on the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as at and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 (“interim financial statements”) based on International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) and prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” unless otherwise noted. This MD&A contains certain non-IFRS financial measures and forward-looking statements which are described in the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” and the “Forward-Looking Statements” sections, respectively.

Market Outlook

Agriculture and Retail

  • Key crop prices have increased, driven by significant improvements in supply and demand fundamentals. Higher crop prices have boosted North American grower sentiment.
  • The North American harvest progressed at a pace well ahead of the past two years when timing was impacted by late maturing crops and weather delays. This is expected to provide a wider window for growers to plan and apply fall fertilizer compared to the past few fall seasons.
  • Strong Brazilian crop prices and margins provided an incentive to boost summer soybean and Safrinha corn planting. We expect the planted area of these crops to increase by approximately 4 percent and 6 percent respectively. Planting has started slower than normal as a result of dry weather, but we expect a long planting window and high crop prices will motivate farmers to plant.

Crop Nutrient Markets

  • Global potash demand has been strong in 2020 and we continue to expect global potash shipments and consumption to increase by approximately 2 million tonnes from 2019 levels. As a result, we maintain our 2020 shipment forecast between 65 and 67 million tonnes.
  • The prospect of a robust fall application season in North America has supported strong retail-level demand. We expect that potash delivered in North America in the fall of 2020 will largely be applied to ground and that channel inventories will be lower at the end of 2020 compared to recent years. We also expect that strong fall applications in China, driven by historically high crop prices in combination with seasonal increases in compound NPK production, will support strong potash consumption in the remainder of 2020. Meanwhile, demand in India will continue to be supported by the favorable growing conditions and increased minimum support prices for crops.
  • Global urea prices have been relatively stable as Indian import tenders have pulled significant volumes out of the trade market. The pace of Chinese urea exports has recently increased, along with Indian demand, but remains down around 10 percent in the first nine months of the year. North American urea prices are currently discounted relative to the rest of the world, which is seasonally normal, but offshore imports are down more than 25 percent from July to September and prices need to increase significantly to reach import parity. Global ammonia prices have increased driven by improved industrial demand, higher global gas prices and production curtailments in East Asia and Trinidad.
  • Global phosphate prices have trended higher due to strong demand in India and Brazil and trade flow changes related to countervailing duty investigations in the US. We continue to believe the phosphate market is fundamentally oversupplied which could limit a long-term price recovery.

Financial Outlook and Guidance

Based on market factors detailed above, we are narrowing our 2020 adjusted net earnings guidance to $1.60 to $1.85 per share (from $1.50 to $1.90 per share previously) and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $3.5 to $3.7 billion (from $3.5 to $3.8 billion previously). In the third quarter of 2020, we revised the measure with which we evaluate our segments from EBITDA to adjusted EBITDA. This has not had an impact on our segment guidance numbers below.

All guidance numbers, including those noted above are outlined in the tables below. Refer to page 46 of Nutrien’s 2019 Annual Report for related sensitivities.

2020 Guidance Ranges 1

 

Low

 

 

 

High

 

Adjusted net earnings per share 2

$

1.60

 

 

$

1.85

 

Adjusted EBITDA (billions) 2

$

3.5

 

 

$

3.7

 

Adjusted Retail EBITDA (billions)

$

1.37

 

 

$

1.42

 

Adjusted Potash EBITDA (billions)

$

1.1

 

 

$

1.2

 

Adjusted Nitrogen EBITDA (billions)

$

1.05

 

 

$

1.10

 

Adjusted Phosphate EBITDA (millions)

$

200

 

 

$

250

 

Potash sales tonnes (millions) 3

 

12.2

 

 

 

12.5

 

Nitrogen sales tonnes (millions) 3

 

10.9

 

 

 

11.1

 

Depreciation and amortization (billions)

$

1.85

 

 

$

1.95

 

Effective tax rate

 

11

%

 

 

13

%

Sustaining capital expenditures (billions)

$

0.9

 

 

$

1.0

 

1 See the “Forward-Looking Statements” section.

2 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

3 Manufactured products only. Nitrogen excludes ESN® and Rainbow products.

Consolidated Results

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

Sales

4,205

 

4,169

 

1

 

16,807

 

16,581

 

1

Freight, transportation and distribution

204

 

210

 

(3)

 

653

 

596

 

10

Cost of goods sold

3,004

 

2,819

 

7

 

12,129

 

11,558

 

5

Gross margin

997

 

1,140

 

(13)

 

4,025

 

4,427

 

(9)

Expenses

1,719

 

812

 

112

 

3,526

 

2,628

 

34

Net (loss) earnings

(587)

 

141

 

n/m

 

143

 

1,040

 

(86)

Adjusted EBITDA 1

670

 

787

 

(15)

 

2,899

 

3,361

 

(14)

Free cash flow ("FCF") 1

280

 

329

 

(15)

 

1,634

 

2,019

 

(19)

FCF including changes in non-cash operating working capital 1

(888)

 

333

 

n/m

 

34

 

579

 

(94)

1 See the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section.

Our third-quarter and first-nine months net (loss) earnings for 2020 were negatively impacted primarily by a non-cash impairment of assets related primarily to our Phosphate operations. Adjusted EBITDA decreased in the same periods due to significantly lower crop nutrient prices that more than offset strong Retail earnings growth and greater operational efficiencies. The COVID-19 pandemic had limited impact on our business during the periods.

Segment Results

Our discussion of segment results set out on the following pages is a comparison of the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 to the results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, unless otherwise noted. In the third quarter of 2020, we revised the measure with which we evaluate our segments from EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA provides a better indication of the segments performance as it excludes the impact of impairments and other costs that are centrally managed by our corporate function. We have presented adjusted EBITDA for the comparative periods.

Retail

 

Three Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross Margin (%)

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop nutrients

780

 

769

 

1

 

179

 

175

 

2

 

23

 

23

Crop protection products

1,328

 

1,318

 

1

 

256

 

303

 

(16)

 

19

 

23

Seed

103

 

60

 

72

 

27

 

17

 

59

 

26

 

28

Merchandise

234

 

135

 

73

 

37

 

22

 

68

 

16

 

16

Services and other

275

 

217

 

27

 

162

 

138

 

17

 

59

 

64

 

2,720

 

2,499

 

9

 

661

 

655

 

1

 

24

 

26

Cost of goods sold

2,059

 

1,844

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

661

 

655

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses 1

669

 

617

 

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) before finance costs and taxes ("EBIT")

(8)

 

38

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

170

 

152

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA / Adjusted EBITDA

162

 

190

 

(15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes selling expenses of $669 million (2019 – $601 million).

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross Margin (%)

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop nutrients

4,092

 

4,082

 

-

 

894

 

846

 

6

 

22

 

21

Crop protection products

4,774

 

4,348

 

10

 

960

 

892

 

8

 

20

 

21

Seed

1,638

 

1,613

 

2

 

305

 

276

 

11

 

19

 

17

Merchandise

703

 

387

 

82

 

116

 

65

 

78

 

17

 

17

Services and other

911

 

620

 

47

 

527

 

425

 

24

 

58

 

69

 

12,118

 

11,050

 

10

 

2,802

 

2,504

 

12

 

23

 

23

Cost of goods sold

9,316

 

8,546

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

2,802

 

2,504

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses 1

2,157

 

1,937

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBIT

645

 

567

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

488

 

433

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA / Adjusted EBITDA

1,133

 

1,000

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes selling expenses of $2,068 million (2019 – $1,816 million).

  • Adjusted EBITDA was lower in the third quarter of 2020 due primarily to the sales mix and use of crop protection products compared to the delayed season last year which pushed sales into the third quarter in North America. US applications this year were also negatively impacted by lower than expected planted acreage and weather-related events. Adjusted EBITDA in the first nine months of 2020 increased significantly from the same period in 2019 due to strong growth in revenue and gross margins across most product lines. The increase was primarily due to organic growth, aided by more normal weather conditions in the US, as well as from the benefit of acquisitions made over the past year. Total selling expenses increased in the periods due primarily to acquisitions, including the acquisition of Ruralco Holdings Limited (“Ruralco”). Selling expenses as a percentage of sales were also impacted by lower crop nutrient and seed prices in 2020, which resulted in lower associated sales. Total US selling expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, were down this quarter relative to the third quarter of last year.
  • Crop nutrients sales were higher in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2020, compared to the same periods in 2019 as higher sales volumes more than offset the impact of lower selling prices. Third quarter sales volumes were 10 percent higher than last year, due to strong applications in Australia which offset lower sales volumes in the US. For the first nine months of 2020, total sales volumes were up 12 percent, with increases across all geographies. Gross margin percentage was stable in the third quarter but higher in the nine-month period due to a larger proportion of higher-margin proprietary product sales.
  • Crop protection products sales in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 were higher compared to the same periods in 2019, due to acquisitions and continued market share growth. Gross margin percentage decreased in the periods due to the impact of recent acquisitions, including that of Ruralco, which impacted the mix of product sold. There was also a slight reduction in use of higher margin discretionary products such as fungicides and insecticides in the US market due to a combination of weather and market factors.
  • Seed sales in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 increased from the same period last year due to strong growth in all key markets, including contributions from the Tec Agro Group acquisition in Brazil and Ruralco in Australia. Gross margin percentage decreased in the third quarter of 2020 primarily due to the Ruralco acquisition, while US seed margins in the third quarter strengthened year over year. Gross margin percentage increased in the first nine months of 2020 due to higher margins achieved on soybean and corn sales and fewer replanting discounts compared to the same periods in 2019.
  • Merchandise sales increased in third quarter and first nine months of 2020 due to benefits from the acquisition of the Ruralco business in Australia. Gross margin percentage was stable in the periods.
  • Services and other sales were higher in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 due to increased contributions from our Australian business. Sales and gross profit in the US declined in the third quarter but margins were slightly stronger. Gross margin percentage decreased in the periods due to product mix changes resulting primarily from the acquisition of Ruralco.

Potash

 

Three Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Tonnes (thousands)

 

Average per Tonne

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

Manufactured product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

252

 

330

 

(24)

 

1,426

 

1,438

 

(1)

 

176

 

229

 

(23)

Offshore

339

 

379

 

(11)

 

2,252

 

1,823

 

24

 

151

 

208

 

(27)

 

591

 

709

 

(17)

 

3,678

 

3,261

 

13

 

161

 

218

 

(26)

Cost of goods sold

303

 

303

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

83

 

94

 

(12)

Gross margin - manufactured

288

 

406

 

(29)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78

 

124

 

(37)

Gross margin - other 1

-

 

-

 

-

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

34

 

34

 

-

Gross margin - total

288

 

406

 

(29)

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses 2

84

 

86

 

(2)

 

and amortization - manufactured 3

112

 

158

 

(29)

EBIT

204

 

320

 

(36)

 

Potash cash cost of product

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

124

 

110

 

13

 

manufactured 3

 

53

 

62

 

(15)

EBITDA

328

 

430

 

(24)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

22

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

350

 

430

 

(19)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes other potash and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $Nil (2019 – $Nil) less cost of goods sold of $Nil (2019 – $Nil).

2 Includes provincial mining and other taxes of $58 million (2019 – $83 million).

3 See the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Tonnes (thousands)

 

Average per Tonne

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

Manufactured product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

709

 

832

 

(15)

 

3,774

 

3,389

 

11

 

188

 

245

 

(23)

Offshore

987

 

1,421

 

(31)

 

6,396

 

6,247

 

2

 

154

 

228

 

(32)

 

1,696

 

2,253

 

(25)

 

10,170

 

9,636

 

6

 

167

 

234

 

(29)

Cost of goods sold

878

 

892

 

(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

87

 

93

 

(6)

Gross margin - manufactured

818

 

1,361

 

(40)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

141

 

(43)

Gross margin - other 1

-

 

1

 

(100)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

32

 

34

 

(6)

Gross margin - total

818

 

1,362

 

(40)

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses 2

199

 

242

 

(18)

 

and amortization - manufactured

112

 

175

 

(36)

EBIT

619

 

1,120

 

(45)

 

Potash cash cost of product

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

329

 

324

 

2

 

manufactured

 

55

 

60

 

(8)

EBITDA

948

 

1,444

 

(34)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

22

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

970

 

1,444

 

(33)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes other potash and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $Nil million (2019 – $1 million) less cost of goods sold of $Nil (2019 – $Nil).

2 Includes provincial mining and other taxes of $161 million (2019 – $237 million).

  • Adjusted EBITDA decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 due to lower global potash prices. This was partially offset by higher sales volumes and lower cost of goods sold per tonne.
  • Sales volumes in the third quarter of 2020 were the second highest of any quarter on record while sales volumes in the first nine months of 2020 were the highest on record. Higher sales volumes relative to the same periods last year were supported by strong offshore demand, higher US planted acreage and improved crop fundamentals.
  • Net realized selling price decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, due to pressure in global benchmark prices.
  • Cost of goods sold per tonne decreased in both periods due to production efficiency gains and the deferral of maintenance projects related to COVID-19 precautions. These factors also lowered the potash cash cost of product manufactured in the third quarter and the first nine months of 2020.

Canpotex Sales by Market

(percentage of sales volumes, except as

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

otherwise noted)

2020

2019

% Change

 

2020

2019

% Change

Latin America

36

44

(18)

 

33

31

6

Other Asian markets 1

20

21

(5)

 

25

27

(7)

China

23

16

44

 

22

23

(4)

India

14

12

17

 

13

11

18

Other markets

7

7

-

 

7

8

(13)

 

100

100

 

 

100

100

 

1 All Asian markets except China and India.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrogen

 

Three Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Tonnes (thousands)

 

Average per Tonne

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

Manufactured product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ammonia

105

 

144

 

(27)

 

546

 

715

 

(24)

 

193

 

203

 

(5)

Urea

193

 

221

 

(13)

 

766

 

726

 

6

 

251

 

304

 

(17)

Solutions, nitrates and sulfates

143

 

168

 

(15)

 

1,091

 

1,081

 

1

 

131

 

155

 

(15)

 

441

 

533

 

(17)

 

2,403

 

2,522

 

(5)

 

184

 

211

 

(13)

Cost of goods sold

392

 

416

 

(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

164

 

165

 

(1)

Gross margin - manufactured

49

 

117

 

(58)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

 

46

 

(57)

Gross margin - other 1

9

 

16

 

(44)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

55

 

50

 

10

Gross margin - total

58

 

133

 

(56)

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

21

 

13

 

62

 

and amortization - manufactured

75

 

96

 

(22)

EBIT

37

 

120

 

(69)

 

Ammonia controllable cash cost of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

131

 

127

 

3

 

product manufactured 2

 

47

 

45

 

4

EBITDA

168

 

247

 

(32)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

27

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

195

 

247

 

(21)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes other nitrogen (including ESN® and Rainbow) and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $99 million (2019 – $69 million) less cost of goods sold of $90 million (2019 – $53 million).

2 See the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Tonnes (thousands)

 

Average per Tonne

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

Manufactured product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ammonia

464

 

602

 

(23)

 

2,048

 

2,400

 

(15)

 

227

 

251

 

(10)

Urea

703

 

739

 

(5)

 

2,622

 

2,342

 

12

 

268

 

315

 

(15)

Solutions, nitrates and sulfates

500

 

540

 

(7)

 

3,451

 

3,166

 

9

 

145

 

170

 

(15)

 

1,667

 

1,881

 

(11)

 

8,121

 

7,908

 

3

 

205

 

238

 

(14)

Cost of goods sold

1,344

 

1,345

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

165

 

170

 

(3)

Gross margin - manufactured

323

 

536

 

(40)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40

 

68

 

(41)

Gross margin - other 1

40

 

57

 

(30)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

56

 

50

 

12

Gross margin - total

363

 

593

 

(39)

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

29

 

7

 

314

 

and amortization - manufactured

96

 

118

 

(19)

EBIT

334

 

586

 

(43)

 

Ammonia controllable cash cost of

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

453

 

394

 

15

 

product manufactured

 

44

 

44

 

-

EBITDA

787

 

980

 

(20)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

27

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

814

 

980

 

(17)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes other nitrogen (including ESN® and Rainbow) and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $404 million (2019 – $364 million) less cost of goods sold of $364 million (2019 – $307 million).

  • Adjusted EBITDA decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 as lower net realized selling prices more than offset the benefit of higher sales volumes into North American agricultural markets and lower cost of goods sold per tonne.
  • Sales volumes decreased in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to lower industrial nitrogen demand, particularly for ammonia, and associated operational changes in Trinidad. This was partially offset by higher agriculture-related nitrogen sales. Sales volumes in the first nine months of 2020 were higher compared to the same period in 2019 due to recent expansion projects and strong operating rates at our North American facilities.
  • Net realized selling price of nitrogen was lower in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 than the same periods last year due to lower global and North American benchmark prices. Third quarter sales commitments in 2020 were weighted towards the beginning of the quarter prior to benchmark price increases.
  • Cost of goods sold per tonne decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 due to lower natural gas prices and fixed costs. This more than offset higher depreciation and amortization per tonne related to expansion and turnaround work completed in late 2019. Ammonia controllable cash cost of product manufactured per tonne increased in the third quarter due to lower production associated with curtailments in Trinidad. Ammonia controllable cash costs for the first nine months of 2020 were consistent with the same period last year due to lower fixed costs that offset lower production.

Natural Gas Prices in Cost of Production

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(US dollars per MMBtu, except as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

Overall gas cost excluding realized derivative impact

2.18

 

2.06

 

6

 

2.17

 

2.47

 

(12)

Realized derivative impact

0.06

 

0.22

 

(73)

 

0.06

 

0.14

 

(57)

Overall gas cost

2.24

 

2.28

 

(2)

 

2.23

 

2.61

 

(15)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average NYMEX

1.98

 

2.23

 

(11)

 

1.88

 

2.67

 

(30)

Average AECO

1.62

 

0.78

 

108

 

1.54

 

1.05

 

47

  • Gas prices in our cost of production decreased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 as lower US gas prices and a lower realized derivative impact more than offset higher Canadian gas prices compared to the same period last year.

Phosphate

 

Three Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Tonnes (thousands)

 

Average per Tonne

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

Manufactured product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertilizer

172

 

164

 

5

 

542

 

492

 

10

 

317

 

335

 

(5)

Industrial and feed

94

 

106

 

(11)

 

166

 

192

 

(14)

 

563

 

549

 

3

 

266

 

270

 

(1)

 

708

 

684

 

4

 

375

 

396

 

(5)

Cost of goods sold

268

 

284

 

(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

379

 

416

 

(9)

Gross margin - manufactured

(2)

 

(14)

 

86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

(20)

 

80

Gross margin - other 1

1

 

(1)

 

n/m

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

85

 

85

 

-

Gross margin - total

(1)

 

(15)

 

93

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

782

 

9

 

n/m

 

and amortization - manufactured

81

 

65

 

25

EBIT

(783)

 

(24)

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

60

 

58

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

(723)

 

34

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

769

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

46

 

34

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes other phosphate and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $26 million (2019 - $44 million) less cost of goods sold of $25 million (2019 - $45 million).

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Tonnes (thousands)

 

Average per Tonne

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

% Change

Manufactured product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertilizer

491

 

635

 

(23)

 

1,582

 

1,664

 

(5)

 

310

 

382

 

(19)

Industrial and feed

304

 

321

 

(5)

 

551

 

578

 

(5)

 

552

 

555

 

(1)

 

795

 

956

 

(17)

 

2,133

 

2,242

 

(5)

 

373

 

426

 

(12)

Cost of goods sold

779

 

963

 

(19)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

366

 

429

 

(15)

Gross margin - manufactured

16

 

(7)

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

(3)

 

n/m

Gross margin - other 1

4

 

(4)

 

n/m

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

84

 

80

 

5

Gross margin - total

20

 

(11)

 

n/m

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

799

 

29

 

n/m

 

and amortization - manufactured

91

 

77

 

18

EBIT

(779)

 

(40)

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

179

 

180

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

(600)

 

140

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

769

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

169

 

140

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes other phosphate and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $87 million (2019 - $125 million) less cost of goods sold of $83 million (2019 - $129 million).

  • Adjusted EBITDA increased in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 primarily due to lower cost of goods sold per tonne. As part of our expenses, we recognized a $769 million non-cash impairment of assets which is added back to adjusted EBITDA. This impairment relates to a less favorable long-term outlook of phosphate selling prices and an expected global supply imbalance.
  • Sales volumes increased in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter last year due to higher fertilizer sales that more than offset lower industrial and feed sales. Sales volumes in the first nine months of 2020 decreased compared to the same period last year primarily due to the conversion of the Redwater phosphate facility to ammonium sulfate in 2019 and lower phosphoric acid exports in 2020.
  • Net realized selling price of phosphate fertilizer sales was lower than in the third quarter of last year due to the lag effect in realized prices, which was partially offset by higher industrial and feed prices. Net realized selling prices in the first nine months of 2020 were lower than the same period last year consistent with declines in global benchmark prices.
  • Cost of goods sold per tonne decreased in the third quarter of 2020 due to lower raw material costs and a favorable non-cash inventory adjustment. Cost of goods sold per tonne decreased significantly in the first nine months of 2020 compared to the same period last year primarily due to both lower raw material costs and a change in estimate related to an asset retirement obligation recorded in the second quarter of 2020.

Corporate and Others

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

noted)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

Sales 1

23

 

35

 

(34)

 

70

 

99

 

(29)

Cost of goods sold

20

 

35

 

(43)

 

63

 

99

 

(36)

Gross margin

3

 

-

 

n/m

 

7

 

-

 

n/m

Selling expenses

(4)

 

(5)

 

(20)

 

(17)

 

(14)

 

21

General and administrative expenses

66

 

65

 

2

 

191

 

191

 

-

Provincial mining and other taxes

-

 

8

 

(100)

 

1

 

13

 

(92)

Share-based compensation expense (recovery)

29

 

(21)

 

n/m

 

9

 

95

 

(91)

Impairment of assets

5

 

-

 

n/m

 

5

 

33

 

(85)

Other expenses

67

 

40

 

68

 

153

 

95

 

61

EBIT

(160)

 

(87)

 

84

 

(335)

 

(413)

 

(19)

Depreciation and amortization

15

 

10

 

50

 

41

 

32

 

28

EBITDA

(145)

 

(77)

 

88

 

(294)

 

(381)

 

(23)

Merger and related costs

-

 

21

 

(100)

 

-

 

57

 

(100)

Acquisition and integration related costs

10

 

-

 

n/m

 

38

 

-

 

n/m

Share-based compensation expense (recovery)

29

 

(21)

 

n/m

 

9

 

95

 

(91)

Impairment of assets

5

 

-

 

n/m

 

5

 

33

 

(85)

COVID-19 related expenses

11

 

-

 

n/m

 

30

 

-

 

n/m

Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

13

 

2

 

550

 

4

 

14

 

(71)

Loss on disposal of business

6

 

-

 

n/m

 

6

 

-

 

n/m

Adjusted EBITDA

(71)

 

(75)

 

(5)

 

(202)

 

(182)

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance costs

129

 

147

 

(12)

 

401

 

413

 

(3)

Income tax (recovery) expense

(264)

 

40

 

n/m

 

(45)

 

346

 

n/m

Other comprehensive income (loss)

71

 

(75)

 

n/m

 

(86)

 

(57)

 

51

1 Primarily relates to our non-core Canadian business which was sold in the third quarter of 2020.

  • Share-based compensation expense (recovery) - We had an expense for the third quarter of 2020 due to an increase in share price and a recovery for the comparative period in 2019 due to a decrease in share price. We had a lower expense for the first nine months of 2020 as our share price was negatively impacted from market volatility due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the first nine months of 2020.
  • Impairment of assets was lower for the first nine months of 2020 due to a $33 million impairment of our intangible assets as a result of Fertilizantes Heringer S.A. filing for bankruptcy protection in 2019.
  • Other expenses in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 were higher due to project costs related to our Retail enterprise resource planning system as part of our digital transformation and COVID-19 related expenses. COVID-19 expenses primarily consist of increased cleaning and sanitization costs, the purchase of personal protective equipment, discretionary supplemental employee costs and costs related to construction delays from access limitations and other government restrictions.
  • Finance costs in the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 were slightly lower than the same periods last year. Lower interest rates more than offset higher finance costs incurred as we managed our immediate liquidity position during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Income tax (recovery) expense – Income tax recoveries were recorded for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020 due to an impairment of assets, discrete tax recoveries primarily related to US legislative changes and a change in jurisdictional earnings composition. The discrete tax recoveries were $48 million and $59 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2020, respectively.
  • Other comprehensive income (loss) – For the third quarter of 2020, we had higher other comprehensive income from a gain on translation of our Retail operations in Canada and Australia as the Canadian and Australian dollars appreciated relative to the US dollar as global markets rebounded following the COVID-19 pandemic in the early part of 2020. For the first nine months of 2020, we had a higher other comprehensive loss due primarily to a loss on translation of our Retail operations in Brazil as the Brazilian Real declined relative to the US dollar. There were also offsetting impacts from translation of our Canadian and Australian Retail operations.

Financial Condition Review

The following balance sheet categories contained variances that were considered significant:

 

As at

 

 

 

 

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

September 30, 2020

 

December 31, 2019

 

$ Change

 

% Change

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

465

 

671

 

(206)

 

(31)

Receivables

5,056

 

3,542

 

1,514

 

43

Inventories

3,829

 

4,975

 

(1,146)

 

(23)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

531

 

1,477

 

(946)

 

(64)

Property, plant and equipment

19,308

 

20,335

 

(1,027)

 

(5)

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term debt

1,644

 

976

 

668

 

68

Current portion of long-term debt

-

 

502

 

(502)

 

(100)

Payables and accrued charges

5,239

 

7,437

 

(2,198)

 

(30)

Long-term debt

10,041

 

8,553

 

1,488

 

17

Retained earnings

6,477

 

7,101

 

(624)

 

(9)

  • Explanations for changes in Cash and cash equivalents are in the “Sources and Uses of Cash” section.
  • Receivables increased due to seasonal Retail sales resulting in higher receivables from customers and vendor rebates receivables.
  • Inventories decreased due to seasonal Retail sales activity.
  • Prepaid expenses and other current assets decreased due to the drawdown of prepaid inventory where Retail typically prepays for products at year-end and takes possession of inventory throughout the year.
  • Property, plant and equipment decreased primarily due to a non-cash impairment of our Phosphate production facilities as described in Note 3 to the interim financial statements.
  • Short-term debt increased from commercial paper issuances as part of our seasonal working capital management.
  • Payables and accrued charges decreased due to lower customer prepayments as Retail customers took delivery of prepaid products. This was partially offset by an increase related to a shift in timing of vendor payments.
  • Long-term debt (including current portion) increased due to the addition of $1.5 billion in notes issued in May 2020 exceeding the repayment of $500 million in notes that matured in the first quarter of 2020.
  • Retained earnings decreased due to dividends declared exceeding net earnings.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

We managed our capital in accordance with our capital allocation strategy. We believe that our internally generated cash flow, supplemented by available borrowings under our existing financing sources, if necessary, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated capital expenditures and other cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. As further developments and impacts of COVID-19 are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, we continue to monitor our liquidity position. Refer to the “Capital Structure and Management” section for details on our existing long-term debt and credit facilities.

Key uses and sources of cash and cash equivalents in the third quarter and/or nine months ended September 30, 2020 included:

  • Investments in capital assets to sustain and grow our safe, reliable and cost-efficient operations. Sustaining capital expenditures were $203 million in the third quarter of 2020 and were $511 million in the first nine months of 2020. Investing capital expenditures were $96 million in the third quarter of 2020 and were $360 million for the first nine months of 2020.
  • Returns to our shareholders through dividends and share repurchases (See Note 9 to the interim financial statements). Dividends paid were $257 million in the third quarter of 2020 and were $771 million for the first nine months of 2020. Share repurchases were $nil in the third quarter of 2020 and were $160 million in the first nine months of 2020.
  • Other financing activities including the following:
    • Issued $1.5 billion of notes on May 13, 2020. See Note 8 to the interim financial statements.
    • Drew down $446 million and $801 million from our commercial paper during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively.
    • Repaid at maturity $500 million of 4.875 percent notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. See Note 8 to the interim financial statements.
    • Established new committed revolving credit facilities totaling approximately $1.5 billion in March and April 2020, in response to the market uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We closed these credit facilities after the issuance of the new notes, as described above. During the first nine months of 2020, we drew down from and later repaid $3.5 billion of our revolving credit facilities to provide additional liquidity in the volatile market caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sources and Uses of Cash

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

noted)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

Cash (used in) provided by operating activities

(685)

 

589

 

n/m

 

545

 

1,246

 

(56)

Cash used in investing activities

(356)

 

(904)

 

(61)

 

(1,209)

 

(2,133)

 

(43)

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

85

 

272

 

(69)

 

465

 

(837)

 

n/m

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

6

 

(5)

 

n/m

 

(7)

 

(22)

 

(68)

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(950)

 

(48)

 

n/m

 

(206)

 

(1,746)

 

(88)

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $950 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to a decrease of $48 million in 2019 as a result of lower cash from our operating activities mainly due to lower crop nutrient prices and comparatively strong results in the third quarter of 2019. We also settled more trade payables due to the shift in timing of vendor payments from the second to third quarter of 2020.

As cash from operations decreased, we lowered our spend in investing activities through:

  • A $305 million decrease in cash used for acquisitions compared to the same period in 2019. We acquired Ruralco in the third quarter of 2019 with no similar acquisition in the third quarter of 2020.
  • A $276 million decrease in capital expenditures compared to the same period in 2019 as we deferred or reduced capital projects mainly due to lower crop nutrient prices, as well as COVID-19 precautions.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $206 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to a decrease of $1.7 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Cash from our operating activities decreased as a result of lower crop nutrient prices. Despite this decrease, we had a $933 million decrease in short-term debt net proceeds compared to the same period in 2019, due to improved working capital management.

The decrease in our cash from operating activities was partially offset by:

  • An approximately $900 million decrease in cash used for Retail acquisitions and capital expenditures compared to the same period in 2019.
  • A decrease of $1.8 billion in cash payments to shareholders in the form of share repurchases compared to the same period in 2019.
  • A $503 million decrease in long-term debt repayments compared to the same period in 2019.

Capital Structure and Management

Principal Debt Instruments

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to monitor our liquidity position. We added new credit facilities of $1.5 billion in March and April 2020, which we subsequently closed in May 2020 after the issuance of the new notes described below. We use a combination of cash generated from operations and short-term and long-term debt to finance our operations. We are in compliance with our debt covenants and did not have any changes to our credit ratings in the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Short-term Debt

 

As at September 30, 2020

(millions of US dollars)

Rate of Interest (%)

Total Facility Limit

Outstanding and Committed

Remaining Available

Credit facilities

 

 

 

 

Unsecured revolving term credit facility

NIL

4,500

-

4,500

Uncommitted revolving demand facility

NIL

500

-

500

Other credit facilities 1

0.8 - 9.5

600

193

407

Commercial paper

0.2 - 0.6

 

1,451

 

Total

 

 

1,644

 

1 Other credit facilities are unsecured and consist of South American facilities with debt of $143 (December 31, 2019 – $149) and interest rates ranging from 2.0 percent to 9.5 percent, Australian facilities with debt of $24 (December 31, 2019 – $157) and an interest rate of 1.3 percent, and other facilities with debt of $26 (December 31, 2019 – $20) and interest rates ranging from 0.8 percent to 4.0 percent.

The amount available under the commercial paper program is limited to the availability of backup funds under the $4,500 million unsecured revolving term credit facility and excess cash invested in highly liquid securities.

Long-term Debt

Our long-term debt consists primarily of notes. See the “Capital Structure and Management” section of our 2019 Annual Report for information on balances, rates and maturities for our notes. On May 13, 2020, we issued $1.5 billion in notes. See Note 8 to the interim financial statements. During the first quarter of 2020, we repaid the $500 million 4.875 percent notes that matured March 30, 2020.

Outstanding Share Data

 

As at October 30, 2020

Common shares

569,145,935

Options to purchase common shares

11,123,020

For more information on our capital structure and management, see Note 26 to our 2019 financial statements.

Quarterly Results

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

Q3 2020

Q2 2020

Q1 2020

Q4 2019

Q3 2019

Q2 2019

Q1 2019

Q4 2018

Sales

4,205

 

8,416

 

4,186

 

3,442

 

4,169

 

8,693

 

3,719

 

3,762

Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations

(587)

 

765

 

(35)

 

(48)

 

141

 

858

 

41

 

296

Net earnings from discontinued operations

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2,906

Net earnings (loss)

(587)

 

765

 

(35)

 

(48)

 

141

 

858

 

41

 

3,202

Adjusted EBITDA

670

 

1,721

 

508

 

664

 

787

 

1,870

 

704

 

924

Earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") from continuing operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

(1.03)

 

1.34

 

(0.06)

 

(0.08)

 

0.25

 

1.48

 

0.07

 

0.48

Diluted

(1.03)

 

1.34

 

(0.06)

 

(0.08)

 

0.24

 

1.47

 

0.07

 

0.48

EPS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

(1.03)

 

1.34

 

(0.06)

 

(0.08)

 

0.25

 

1.48

 

0.07

 

5.23

Diluted

(1.03)

 

1.34

 

(0.06)

 

(0.08)

 

0.24

 

1.47

 

0.07

 

5.22

Seasonality in our business results from increased demand for products during the planting season. Crop input sales are generally higher in the spring and fall application seasons. Crop nutrient inventories are normally accumulated leading up to each application season. Our cash collections generally occur after the application season is complete, while customer prepayments made to us are concentrated in December and January and inventory prepayments paid to our vendors are typically concentrated in the period from November to January. Feed and industrial sales are more evenly distributed throughout the year.

Since the fourth quarter of 2019, Potash earnings have been impacted by lower net realized selling prices caused by a temporary slowdown in global demand. In the fourth quarter of 2018, earnings were impacted by $2.9 billion in after-tax gains on the sales of our investments in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. and Arab Potash Company, which were categorized as discontinued operations. In the third quarter of 2020, earnings were impacted by non-cash impairments of property, plant and equipment primarily in the Phosphate segment as a result of lower forecasted global phosphate prices.

Risk Factors

Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Pandemic

Epidemics, pandemics or other such crises or public health concerns in regions of the world where we have operations or source material or sell products could impact or disrupt our business. Specifically, the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in travel restrictions and extended shutdowns of certain businesses around the world, as well as a deterioration of general economic conditions. These or any governmental or other regulatory responses or developments or health concerns in countries in which we operate could result in operational restrictions or social and economic instability, or labor shortages. More specifically, there remains uncertainty relating to the potential impact that COVID-19 could ultimately have on our business. It is still possible that COVID-19 could impact our operations, create supply chain disruptions and/or limit our ability to timely sell or distribute our products in the future, which would negatively impact our business, financial condition and operating results. It is also possible that COVID-19 could negatively impact our customers, even though the agriculture sector is classified as an essential service. Any significant long-term downturn in the global economy or agricultural markets could impact the Company’s access to capital or credit ratings, or our customers’ access to liquidity, which could increase our counterparty credit exposure.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our critical accounting policies are disclosed in our 2019 Annual Report. We have discussed the development, selection and application of our key accounting policies, and the critical accounting estimates and assumptions they involve, with the audit committee of the Board. Our critical accounting estimates are discussed on page 54 of our 2019 Annual Report. Other than the critical accounting estimates discussed below, there were no significant changes in the first nine months of 2020.

Long-lived Asset Impairment

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we identified an impairment indicator in our Phosphate cash generating units (“CGUs”) due to lower long-term forecasted global phosphate prices and recorded impairments of assets in the statement of (loss) earnings relating to our property plant and equipment at Aurora and White Springs of $545 million and $215 million, respectively. See Note 3 to the interim financial statements.

The recoverable values of Aurora and White Springs are most sensitive to the following key assumptions: our internal sales price forecasts which consider projections from an independent third-party data source, discount rates, long-term growth rates, and expected mine life. We used key assumptions that were based on historical data and estimates of future results from internal sources, external price benchmarks, mineral reserve technical reports, as well as industry and market trends.

The following table highlights sensitivities to the recoverable value which could result in additional impairment losses or reversals of previously recorded losses. The sensitivities have been calculated independently of changes in other key variables.

 

Aurora

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

Key Assumptions

 

Change in Assumption

 

to Recoverable Value ($ millions)

Net selling price

±

10 per tonne

±

150

Discount rate

±

1.0 percentage point

±

120

For our White Springs CGU, there were no reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions that would result in a substantial change in the recoverable value.

At September 30, 2020, we performed impairment testing on the Trinidad CGU, part of our Nitrogen segment, due to the indefinite closure of an ammonia plant in response to market conditions and lower long-term forecasted global ammonia prices. No impairment resulted from comparing the carrying value of the Trinidad CGU to its recoverable value determined on a fair value less costs of disposal (“FVLCD”) methodology. FVLCD was based on after-tax discounted cash flows (using a five-year projection and a 2.0% terminal growth rate) discounted at a post-tax rate of 12.6%.

The following table indicates the percentages by which key assumptions would need to change individually for the estimated Trinidad CGU recoverable value to be equal to the carrying value:

 

 

Change Required for Carrying

Key Assumptions

 

Value to Equal Recoverable Value

Net selling price (5-year average)

 

4 percent decrease

Production volumes (5-year average)

 

5 percent decrease

Discount rate (post-tax)

 

0.9 percentage point increase

Controls and Procedures

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings. Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. Any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

There have been changes to our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2020. As part of our digital transformation, we have implemented a new enterprise resource planning system in the Retail segment resulting in a more automated control environment for our Canadian and Loveland Products operations. This change continues to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

As a result of the acquisition of Ruralco and the integration of the Australian Retail operations, the internal control over the Australian Retail operations will come into scope of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting for the fourth quarter of 2020. The acquisition of Ruralco was previously excluded from management’s evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 due to the proximity of the acquisition to year-end. The integration of the Australian Retail operations is expected to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

COVID-19 has also affected our business. During the quarter, corporate office staff and many site administrative staff have worked from home. This change has required certain processes and controls that were previously done or documented manually to be completed and retained in electronic form. This change has not materially affected our internal control over financial reporting.

Except as discussed herein, there have been no changes during the quarter ended September 30, 2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and other information included and incorporated by reference in this document constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) under applicable securities laws (such statements are often accompanied by words such as “anticipate”, “forecast”, “expect”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “estimate”, “intend” or other similar words). All statements in this document, other than those relating to historical information or current conditions, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: Nutrien's 2020 annual guidance, including expectations regarding our adjusted net earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA (consolidated and by segment); capital spending expectations for 2020; expectations regarding our liquidity; expectations regarding performance of our operating segments in 2020, including the impact of our ammonia plant closure on our Nitrogen segment; our operating segment market outlooks and market conditions for 2020, including the impact of COVID-19 thereon, and the anticipated supply and demand for our products and services, expected market and industry conditions with respect to crop nutrient application rates, planted acres, crop mix, prices and the impact of import and export volumes; and acquisitions and divestitures, and the expected synergies associated with various acquisitions, including timing thereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. As such, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.

All of the forward-looking statements are qualified by the assumptions that are stated or inherent in such forward-looking statements, including the assumptions referred to below and elsewhere in this document. Although we believe that these assumptions are reasonable, having regard to our experience and our perception of historical trends, this list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the forward-looking statements and the reader should not place an undue reliance on these assumptions and such forward-looking statements. Current conditions, economic and otherwise, render assumptions, although reasonable when made, subject to greater uncertainty. The additional key assumptions that have been made include, among other things, assumptions with respect to our ability to successfully complete, integrate and realize the anticipated benefits of our already completed and future acquisitions and divestitures, and that we will be able to implement our standards, controls, procedures and policies at any acquired businesses to realize the expected synergies; that future business, regulatory and industry conditions will be within the parameters expected by us, including with respect to prices, margins, demand, supply, product availability, supplier agreements, availability and cost of labor and interest, exchange and effective tax rates; the completion of our expansion projects on schedule, as planned and on budget; assumptions with respect to global economic conditions and the accuracy of our market outlook expectations for 2020 and in the future; our expectations regarding the impacts, direct and indirect, of COVID-19 on our business, customers, business partners, employees, supply chain, other stakeholders and the overall economy; the adequacy of our cash generated from operations and our ability to access our credit facilities or capital markets for additional sources of financing; our ability to identify suitable candidates for acquisitions and divestitures and negotiate acceptable terms; our ability to maintain investment grade ratings and achieve our performance targets; and the receipt, on time, of all necessary permits, utilities and project approvals with respect to our expansion projects and that we will have the resources necessary to meet the projects’ approach.

Events or circumstances that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: general global economic, market and business conditions; failure to complete announced and future acquisitions or divestitures at all or on the expected terms and within the expected timeline; climate change and weather conditions, including impacts from regional flooding and/or drought conditions; crop planted acreage, yield and prices; the supply and demand and price levels for our products; governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities, including changes in government policy (including tariffs, trade restrictions and climate change initiatives), government ownership requirements, changes in environmental, tax and other laws or regulations and the interpretation thereof; political risks, including civil unrest, actions by armed groups or conflict and malicious acts including terrorism; the occurrence of a major environmental or safety incident; innovation and cybersecurity risks related to our systems, including our costs of addressing or mitigating such risks; regional natural gas supply restrictions; counterparty and sovereign risk; delays in completion of turnarounds at our major facilities; gas supply interruptions; any significant impairment of the carrying value of certain assets; risks related to reputational loss; certain complications that may arise in our mining processes; the ability to attract, engage and retain skilled employees and strikes or other forms of work stoppages; the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting effects on economic conditions, restrictions imposed by public health authorities or governments, fiscal and monetary responses by governments and financial institutions and disruptions to global supply chains; and other risk factors detailed from time to time in Nutrien reports filed with the Canadian securities regulators and the SEC in the United States.

The purpose of our expected adjusted net earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA (consolidated and by segment) guidance ranges are to assist readers in understanding our expected financial results, and this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

The forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date hereof and Nutrien disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this document as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable Canadian securities legislation or applicable US federal securities laws.

Terms and Definitions

For the definitions of certain financial and non-financial terms used in this document, as well as a list of abbreviated company names and sources, see the “Terms and Definitions” section of our 2019 Annual Report dated February 19, 2020. All references to per share amounts pertain to diluted net earnings (loss) per share, “n/m” indicates information that is not meaningful and all financial amounts are stated in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise noted.

About Nutrien

Nutrien is the world's largest provider of crop inputs and services, playing a critical role in helping growers increase food production in a sustainable manner. We produce and distribute 25 million tonnes of potash, nitrogen and phosphate products world-wide. With this capability and our leading agriculture retail network, we are well positioned to supply the needs of our customers. We operate with a long-term view and are committed to working with our stakeholders as we address our economic, environmental and social priorities. The scale and diversity of our integrated portfolio provides a stable earnings base, multiple avenues for growth and the opportunity to return capital to shareholders.

Selected financial data for download can be found in our data tool at www.nutrien.com/investors/interactive-datatool.

Such data is not incorporated by reference herein.

Nutrien will host a Conference Call on Tuesday, November 3, 2020 at 10:00 am Eastern Time.

  • In order to expedite access to our conference call, each participant will be required to pre-register for the event:
    • Online: http://www.directeventreg.com/registration/event/9668938.
    • Via Phone: 1-888-869-1189 Conference ID 9668938.
  • Once the registration is complete, a confirmation will be sent providing the dial in number and both the Direct Event Passcode and your unique Registrant ID to join this call. For security reasons, please do not share your information with anyone else.
  • Live Audio Webcast: Visit http://www.nutrien.com/investors/events/2020-q3-earnings-conference-call

Appendix A - Selected Additional Financial Data

Selected Retail measures

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Proprietary products margin as a percentage of product line margin (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop nutrients

33

 

31

 

27

 

24

Crop protection products

43

 

39

 

40

 

42

Seed

n/m

 

20

 

43

 

44

All products

25

 

27

 

27

 

28

 

Crop nutrients sales volumes (tonnes - thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

1,159

 

1,202

 

7,683

 

7,254

International

741

 

533

 

2,364

 

1,677

Total

1,900

 

1,735

 

10,047

 

8,931

Crop nutrients selling price per tonne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

413

 

467

 

423

 

471

International

407

 

389

 

356

 

395

Total

411

 

443

 

407

 

457

Crop nutrients gross margin per tonne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

116

 

114

 

102

 

103

International

61

 

70

 

47

 

57

Total

94

 

101

 

89

 

95

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial performance measures

 

 

 

 

2020 Target

 

2020 Actuals

Retail Adjusted EBITDA to sales (%) 1, 2

 

 

 

 

10

 

10

Retail adjusted average working capital to sales (%) 1, 2

 

 

 

 

21

 

17

Retail cash operating coverage ratio (%) 1, 2

 

 

 

 

61

 

62

Retail Adjusted EBITDA per US selling location (thousands of US dollars) 1, 2

     

 

1,000

 

1,031

1 Rolling four quarters ended September 30, 2020.

2 See the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section.

Nutrien Financial

As at September 30, 2020

(millions of US dollars)

Current

31-90 days past due

>90 days past due

Allowance 2

Total

Nutrien Financial receivables 1

1,661

37

35

(22)

1,711

1 See the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section.

2 Allowance for expected credit losses of receivables from customers.

Selected Nitrogen measures

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Sales volumes (tonnes - thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertilizer

1,426

 

1,304

 

5,010

 

4,204

Industrial and feed

977

 

1,218

 

3,111

 

3,704

Net sales (millions of US dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertilizer

280

 

316

 

1,108

 

1,155

Industrial and feed

161

 

217

 

559

 

726

Net selling price per tonne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertilizer

196

 

243

 

221

 

275

Industrial and feed

166

 

178

 

180

 

196

Production measures

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Potash production (Product tonnes - thousands)

3,430

 

2,977

 

9,811

 

9,761

Potash shutdown weeks 1

4

 

11

 

38

 

27

Nitrogen production (Ammonia tonnes - thousands) 2

1,413

 

1,529

 

4,479

 

4,763

Ammonia operating rate (%) 3

91

 

85

 

93

 

90

Phosphate production (P2O5 tonnes - thousands) 4

354

 

374

 

1,083

 

1,124

Phosphate P2O5 operating rate (%) 4

83

 

87

 

85

 

88

1 Represents weeks of full production shutdown, excluding the impact of any periods of reduced operating rates and planned routine annual maintenance shutdowns and announced workforce reductions.

2 All figures are provided on a gross production basis.

3 Excludes Trinidad and Joffre.

4 Excludes Redwater.

Appendix B - Non-IFRS Financial Measures

We use both IFRS and certain non-IFRS financial measures to assess performance. Non-IFRS financial measures are numerical measures of a company’s performance, that either exclude or include amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. In evaluating these measures, investors should consider that the methodology applied in calculating such measures may differ among companies and analysts.

Management believes the non-IFRS financial measures provide transparent and useful supplemental information to help investors evaluate our financial performance, financial condition and liquidity using the same measures as management. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

The following section outlines our non-IFRS financial measures, their definitions and why management uses each measure. It includes reconciliations to the most directly comparable IFRS measures. Except as otherwise described herein, our non-IFRS financial measures are calculated on a consistent basis from period to period and are adjusted for specific items in each period, as applicable. As non-recurring, unusual or other non-operational items arise, we generally exclude these items in our calculation.

Adjusted EBITDA (Consolidated)

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Net earnings (loss).

Definition: Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net earnings (loss) before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, Merger and related costs, certain acquisition and integration related costs, share-based compensation, impairment of assets, certain foreign exchange gain/loss (net of related derivatives), COVID-19 related expenses and loss on disposal of business. In the first and third quarter of 2020, respectively, we have amended our calculation of adjusted EBITDA to adjust for the impact of COVID-19 related expenses and loss on disposal of business. There were no similar expenses in the comparative period. To align with the change in our segment performance measure effective in the third quarter of 2020, we will primarily use Adjusted EBITDA going forward as our consolidated performance measure.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: It is not impacted by long-term investment and financing decisions, but rather focuses on the performance of our day-to-day operations. It provides a measure of our ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations.

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars)

2020

 

2019 1

 

2020

 

2019 1

Net (loss) earnings

(587)

 

141

 

143

 

1,040

Finance costs

129

 

147

 

401

 

413

Income tax (recovery) expense

(264)

 

40

 

(45)

 

346

Depreciation and amortization

500

 

457

 

1,490

 

1,363

EBITDA

(222)

 

785

 

1,989

 

3,162

Merger and related costs

-

 

21

 

-

 

57

Acquisition and integration related costs

10

 

-

 

38

 

-

Share-based compensation expense (recovery)

29

 

(21)

 

9

 

95

Impairment of assets

823

 

-

 

823

 

33

COVID-19 related expenses

11

 

-

 

30

 

-

Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

13

 

2

 

4

 

14

Loss on disposal of business

6

 

-

 

6

 

-

Adjusted EBITDA

670

 

787

 

2,899

 

3,361

1 In the fourth quarter of 2019, we amended our calculations of adjusted EBITDA and restated the comparative periods to exclude the impact of foreign exchange gain/loss, net of related derivatives, as foreign exchange changes are not indicative of our operating performance.

Adjusted EBITDA (Consolidated) and Adjusted Net Earnings Per Share Guidance

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net earnings per share guidance are forward-looking non-IFRS financial measures. We do not provide a reconciliation of such forward-looking measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS due to unknown variables and the uncertainty related to future results. These unknown variables may include unpredictable transactions of significant value that may be inherently difficult to determine, without unreasonable efforts. Guidance excludes the impacts of acquisition and integration related costs, share-based compensation, certain foreign exchange gain/loss (net of related derivatives), and COVID-19 related expenses.

Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Net Earnings Per Share

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Net earnings (loss) and net earnings (loss) per share.

Definition: Net earnings (loss) before certain acquisition and integration related costs, share-based compensation, certain foreign exchange gain/loss (net of related derivatives), COVID-19 related expenses (including those recorded under finance costs), loss on disposal of business and impairment of assets, net of tax. In 2020, we have amended our calculation of adjusted net loss to adjust for the impact of COVID-19 related expenses and loss on disposal of business.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: Focuses on the performance of our day-to-day operations excluding the effects of non-operating items.

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

Per

 

 

 

 

 

Per

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise

Increases

 

 

 

Diluted

 

Increases

 

 

 

Diluted

noted)

(Decreases)

 

Post-Tax

 

Share

 

(Decreases)

 

Post-Tax

 

Share

Net (loss) earnings

 

 

(587)

 

(1.03)

 

 

 

143

 

0.25

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition and integration related costs

10

 

8

 

0.01

 

38

 

31

 

0.06

Share-based compensation expense

29

 

23

 

0.04

 

9

 

7

 

0.01

Impairment of assets

823

 

661

 

1.16

 

823

 

661

 

1.16

COVID-19 related expenses

14

 

11

 

0.02

 

45

 

36

 

0.06

Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

13

 

10

 

0.02

 

4

 

3

 

0.01

Loss on disposal of business

6

 

5

 

0.01

 

6

 

5

 

0.01

Adjusted net earnings

 

 

131

 

0.23

 

 

 

886

 

1.56

Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Including Changes in Non-Cash Operating Working Capital

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Cash from operations before working capital changes.

Definition: Cash from operations before working capital changes less sustaining capital expenditures. We also calculate a similar measure which includes changes in non-cash operating working capital.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: For evaluation of liquidity and financial strength, and as a component of employee remuneration calculations. These are also useful as indicators of our ability to service debt, meet other payment obligations and make strategic investments. These do not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures.

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Cash from operations before working capital changes

483

 

585

 

2,145

 

2,686

Sustaining capital expenditures

(203)

 

(256)

 

(511)

 

(667)

Free cash flow

280

 

329

 

1,634

 

2,019

Changes in non-cash operating working capital

(1,168)

 

4

 

(1,600)

 

(1,440)

Free cash flow including changes in non-cash operating working capital

(888)

 

333

 

34

 

579

Potash Cash Cost of Product Manufactured (“COPM”)

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Cost of goods sold (“COGS”) for the Potash segment.

Definition: Potash COGS for the period excluding depreciation and amortization expense and inventory and other adjustments divided by the production tonnes for the period.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To assess operational performance. Potash cash COPM excludes the effects of production from other periods and long-term investment decisions, supporting a focus on the performance of our day-to-day operations.

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Total COGS - Potash

303

 

303

 

878

 

892

Change in inventory

4

 

(26)

 

(28)

 

(1)

Other adjustments

-

 

(4)

 

(5)

 

(16)

COPM

307

 

273

 

845

 

875

Depreciation and amortization included in COPM

(124)

 

(87)

 

(305)

 

(292)

Cash COPM

183

 

186

 

540

 

583

Production tonnes (tonnes - thousands)

3,430

 

2,977

 

9,811

 

9,761

Potash cash COPM per tonne

53

 

62

 

55

 

60

Ammonia Controllable Cash COPM

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: COGS for the Nitrogen segment.

Definition: The total of COGS for the Nitrogen segment excluding depreciation and amortization expense included in COGS, cash COGS for products other than ammonia, other adjustments, and natural gas and steam costs, divided by net ammonia production tonnes.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To assess operational performance. Ammonia controllable cash COPM excludes the effects of production from other periods, the costs of natural gas and steam, and long-term investment decisions, supporting a focus on the performance of our day-to-day operations.

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Total COGS - Nitrogen

482

 

469

 

1,708

 

1,652

Depreciation and amortization in COGS

(113)

 

(109)

 

(395)

 

(340)

Cash COGS for products other than ammonia

(287)

 

(262)

 

(1,017)

 

(952)

Ammonia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total cash COGS before other adjustments

82

 

98

 

296

 

360

Other adjustments 1

(11)

 

(2)

 

(46)

 

(35)

Total cash COPM

71

 

96

 

250

 

325

Natural gas and steam costs

(45)

 

(62)

 

(164)

 

(221)

Controllable cash COPM

26

 

34

 

86

 

104

Production tonnes (net tonnes 2 - thousands)

557

 

755

 

1,945

 

2,343

Ammonia controllable cash COPM per tonne

47

 

45

 

44

 

44

1 Includes changes in inventory balances and other adjustments.

2 Ammonia tonnes available for sale, as not upgraded to other Nitrogen products.

Gross Margin Excluding Depreciation and Amortization Per Tonne - Manufactured

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Gross margin.

Definition: Gross margin from manufactured products per tonne less depreciation and amortization per tonne. Reconciliations are provided in the “Segment Results” section.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: Focuses on the performance of our day-to-day operations, which excludes the effects of items that primarily reflect the impact of long-term investment and financing decisions.

Retail Adjusted EBITDA to Sales

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Retail adjusted EBITDA divided by Retail sales.

Definition: Retail adjusted EBITDA divided by Retail sales for the last four rolling quarters.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To evaluate operational efficiency. A higher or lower percentage represents increased or decreased efficiency, respectively. In the third quarter of 2020, we revised this measure from EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA to align with how we evaluate Retail results. There were no changes to this measure as a result of the change.

 

Rolling four quarters ended September 30, 2020

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

Q4 2019

 

Q1 2020

 

Q2 2020

 

Q3 2020

 

Total

Adjusted EBITDA

231

 

7

 

964

 

162

 

1,364

Sales

2,171

 

2,649

 

6,749

 

2,720

 

14,289

Adjusted EBITDA to sales (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

Nutrien Financial Receivables

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Receivables.

Definition: Nutrien Financial receivables are a subcategory of US Retail receivables managed in the Nutrien Financial portfolio, segregated predominately according to credit quality. We manage our credit portfolio based on a combination of customer credit metrics, experience with the customer and by managing exposure to any single customer.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: Used by credit rating agencies and other users to evaluate overall credit risk.

(millions of US dollars)

As at September 30, 2020

Nutrien Financial receivables

1,711

Non-Nutrien Financial receivables

3,345

Receivables

5,056

Retail Adjusted Average Working Capital to Sales

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: (Current assets minus current liabilities for Retail) divided by Retail sales.

Definition: Retail adjusted average working capital divided by Retail adjusted sales for the last four rolling quarters. We exclude in our calculations the working capital and sales of certain acquisitions (such as Ruralco) during the first year following the acquisition. We have amended our calculation to adjust for the sales of certain recently acquired businesses.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To evaluate operational efficiency. A lower or higher percentage represents increased or decreased efficiency, respectively.

 

Rolling four quarters ended September 30, 2020

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

Q4 2019

 

Q1 2020

 

Q2 2020

 

Q3 2020

 

Average/Total

Working capital

1,759

 

2,288

 

2,030

 

3,216

 

 

Working capital from certain recent acquisitions

(138)

 

(108)

 

63

 

-

 

 

Adjusted working capital

1,621

 

2,180

 

2,093

 

3,216

 

2,278

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales

2,171

 

2,649

 

6,749

 

2,720

 

 

Sales from certain recent acquisitions

(249)

 

(348)

 

(338)

 

-

 

 

Adjusted sales

1,922

 

2,301

 

6,411

 

2,720

 

13,354

Adjusted average working capital to sales (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

Retail Cash Operating Coverage Ratio

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Retail operating expenses as a percentage of Retail gross margin.

Definition: Retail operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense, divided by Retail gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization expense in cost of goods sold, for the last four rolling quarters.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To understand the costs and underlying economics of our Retail operations and to assess our Retail operating performance and ability to generate free cash flow.

 

Rolling four quarters ended September 30, 2020

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

Q4 2019

 

Q1 2020

 

Q2 2020

 

Q3 2020

 

Total

Operating expenses 1

667

 

677

 

811

 

669

 

2,824

Depreciation and amortization in operating expenses

(160)

 

(153)

 

(161)

 

(167)

 

(641)

Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization

507

 

524

 

650

 

502

 

2,183

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

736

 

529

 

1,612

 

661

 

3,538

Depreciation and amortization in cost of goods sold

2

 

2

 

2

 

3

 

9

Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization

738

 

531

 

1,614

 

664

 

3,547

Cash operating coverage ratio (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

62

1 Includes Retail expenses below gross margin including selling expenses, general and administrative expenses and other (income) expenses.

Retail Adjusted EBITDA per US Selling Location

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Retail US adjusted EBITDA.

Definition: Total Retail US adjusted EBITDA for the last four rolling quarters, adjusted for acquisitions in those quarters, divided by the number of US locations that have generated sales in the last four rolling quarters, adjusted for acquired locations.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To assess our US Retail operating performance. This measure includes locations we have owned for more than 12 months. In the third quarter of 2020, we revised this measure from US EBITDA to US adjusted EBITDA to align with how we evaluate Retail results. There were no changes to this measure as a result of the change.

 

Rolling four quarters ended September 30, 2020

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

Q4 2019

 

Q1 2020

 

Q2 2020

 

Q3 2020

 

Total

Adjusted US EBITDA

143

 

(44)

 

766

 

86

 

951

Adjustments for acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11)

Adjusted US EBITDA adjusted for acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

940

Number of US selling locations adjusted for acquisitions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

912

Adjusted EBITDA per US selling location (thousands of US dollars)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,031

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Unaudited in millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted

Condensed Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Earnings

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30

 

September 30

 

Note

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

 

 

Note 1

 

 

 

Note 1

SALES

2

4,205

 

4,169

 

16,807

 

16,581

Freight, transportation and distribution

 

204

 

210

 

653

 

596

Cost of goods sold

 

3,004

 

2,819

 

12,129

 

11,558

GROSS MARGIN

 

997

 

1,140

 

4,025

 

4,427

Selling expenses

 

676

 

607

 

2,081

 

1,835

General and administrative expenses

 

107

 

97

 

312

 

287

Provincial mining and other taxes

 

58

 

92

 

163

 

253

Share-based compensation expense (recovery)

 

29

 

(21)

 

9

 

95

Impairment of assets

3

823

 

-

 

823

 

33

Other expenses

4

26

 

37

 

138

 

125

(LOSS) EARNINGS BEFORE FINANCE COSTS AND INCOME TAXES

 

(722)

 

328

 

499

 

1,799

Finance costs

 

129

 

147

 

401

 

413

(LOSS) EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

(851)

 

181

 

98

 

1,386

Income tax (recovery) expense

5

(264)

 

40

 

(45)

 

346

NET (LOSS) EARNINGS

 

(587)

 

141

 

143

 

1,040

NET (LOSS) EARNINGS PER SHARE ("EPS")

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

(1.03)

 

0.25

 

0.25

 

1.78

Diluted

 

(1.03)

 

0.24

 

0.25

 

1.77

Weighted average shares outstanding for basic EPS

 

569,146,000

 

572,887,000

 

569,818,000

 

585,421,000

Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted EPS

 

569,146,000

 

573,702,000

 

569,818,000

 

586,335,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30

 

September 30

(Net of related income taxes)

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

NET (LOSS) EARNINGS

(587)

 

141

 

143

 

1,040

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Items that will not be reclassified to net (loss) earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net actuarial gain on defined benefit plans

-

 

-

 

3

 

-

Net fair value loss on investments

(4)

 

(11)

 

(25)

 

(26)

Items that have been or may be subsequently reclassified to net (loss) earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) on currency translation of foreign operations

69

 

(71)

 

(52)

 

(36)

Other

6

 

7

 

(12)

 

5

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

71

 

(75)

 

(86)

 

(57)

COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(516)

 

66

 

57

 

983

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30

 

September 30

 

Note

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

 

 

 

 

Note 1

 

 

 

Note 1

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (loss) earnings

 

(587)

 

141

 

143

 

1,040

Adjustments for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

500

 

457

 

1,490

 

1,363

Share-based compensation expense (recovery)

 

29

 

(21)

 

9

 

95

Impairment of assets

3

823

 

-

 

823

 

33

(Recovery of) provision for deferred income tax

 

(161)

 

31

 

(99)

 

178

Other long-term liabilities and miscellaneous

 

(121)

 

(23)

 

(221)

 

(23)

Cash from operations before working capital changes

 

483

 

585

 

2,145

 

2,686

Changes in non-cash operating working capital:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

692

 

624

 

(1,455)

 

(1,427)

Inventories

 

407

 

541

 

1,153

 

1,239

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

(77)

 

(23)

 

936

 

801

Payables and accrued charges

 

(2,190)

 

(1,138)

 

(2,234)

 

(2,053)

CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

(685)

 

589

 

545

 

1,246

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

(266)

 

(518)

 

(927)

 

(1,177)

Additions to intangible assets

 

(19)

 

(43)

 

(87)

 

(118)

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

10

(43)

 

(348)

 

(216)

 

(837)

Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

55

Purchase of investments

 

(13)

 

(42)

 

(79)

 

(164)

Other

 

(15)

 

47

 

100

 

108

CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

(356)

 

(904)

 

(1,209)

 

(2,133)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction costs on long-term debt

 

-

 

-

 

(15)

 

(29)

Proceeds from short-term debt, net

 

397

 

575

 

601

 

1,534

Proceeds from long-term debt

8

14

 

-

 

1,520

 

1,510

Repayment of long-term debt

8

-

 

(11)

 

(507)

 

(1,010)

Repayment of principal portion of lease liabilities

 

(69)

 

(49)

 

(203)

 

(166)

Dividends paid

9

(257)

 

(244)

 

(771)

 

(764)

Repurchase of common shares

9

-

 

-

 

(160)

 

(1,930)

Issuance of common shares

 

-

 

1

 

-

 

18

CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

85

 

272

 

465

 

(837)

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

6

 

(5)

 

(7)

 

(22)

DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

(950)

 

(48)

 

(206)

 

(1,746)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

1,415

 

616

 

671

 

2,314

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – END OF PERIOD

 

465

 

568

 

465

 

568

Cash and cash equivalents comprised of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

328

 

326

 

328

 

326

Short-term investments

 

137

 

242

 

137

 

242

 

 

465

 

568

 

465

 

568

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest paid

 

85

 

111

 

334

 

353

Income taxes paid

 

27

 

46

 

92

 

1

Total cash outflow for leases

 

78

 

89

 

266

 

253

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income ("AOCI")

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial

 

Loss on

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Fair

 

Gain on

 

Currency

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Number of

 

 

 

 

 

Value

 

Defined

 

Translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common

 

Share

 

Contributed

 

Loss on

 

Benefit

 

of Foreign

 

 

 

Total

 

Retained

 

Total

 

Shares

 

Capital

 

Surplus

 

Investments

 

Plans 1

 

Operations

 

Other

 

AOCI

 

Earnings

 

Equity 2

BALANCE – DECEMBER 31, 2018

608,535,477

 

16,740

 

231

 

(7)

 

-

 

(251)

 

(33)

 

(291)

 

7,745

 

24,425

Net earnings

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

1,040

 

1,040

Other comprehensive (loss) income

-

 

-

 

-

 

(26)

 

-

 

(36)

 

5

 

(57)

 

-

 

(57)

Shares repurchased (Note 9)

(36,066,766)

 

(992)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(886)

 

(1,878)

Dividends declared

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(496)

 

(496)

Effect of share-based compensation including issuance of common shares

431,485

 

21

 

13

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

34

Transfer of net loss on sale of investment

-

 

-

 

-

 

4

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4

 

(4)

 

-

Transfer of net loss on cash flow hedges

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

8

 

8

 

-

 

8

BALANCE – SEPTEMBER 30, 2019

572,900,196

 

15,769

 

244

 

(29)

 

-

 

(287)

 

(20)

 

(336)

 

7,399

 

23,076

BALANCE – DECEMBER 31, 2019

572,942,809

 

15,771

 

248

 

(29)

 

-

 

(204)

 

(18)

 

(251)

 

7,101

 

22,869

Net earnings

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

143

 

143

Other comprehensive (loss) income

-

 

-

 

-

 

(25)

 

3

 

(52)

 

(12)

 

(86)

 

-

 

(86)

Shares repurchased (Note 9)

(3,832,580)

 

(105)

 

(55)

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(160)

Dividends declared

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(770)

 

(770)

Effect of share-based compensation including issuance of common shares

35,706

 

1

 

10

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

11

Transfer of net loss on cash flow hedges

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

13

 

13

 

-

 

13

Transfer of net actuarial gain on defined benefit plans

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(3)

 

-

 

-

 

(3)

 

3

 

-

BALANCE – SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

569,145,935

 

15,667

 

203

 

(54)

 

-

 

(256)

 

(17)

 

(327)

 

6,477

 

22,020

1 Any amounts incurred during a period were transferred to retained earnings at each period-end. Therefore, no balance exists at the beginning or end of period.

2 All equity transactions were attributable to common shareholders.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

September 30

 

December 31

As at

Note

2020

 

2019

 

2019

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

465

 

568

 

671

Receivables

 

5,056

 

4,843

 

3,542

Inventories

 

3,829

 

3,873

 

4,975

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

531

 

440

 

1,477

 

 

9,881

 

9,724

 

10,665

Non-current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

3

19,308

 

20,045

 

20,335

Goodwill

10

12,179

 

11,983

 

11,986

Other intangible assets

 

2,352

 

2,330

 

2,428

Investments

 

809

 

809

 

821

Other assets

 

742

 

538

 

564

TOTAL ASSETS

 

45,271

 

45,429

 

46,799

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term debt

7

1,644

 

2,287

 

976

Current portion of long-term debt

8

-

 

501

 

502

Current portion of lease liabilities

 

230

 

219

 

214

Payables and accrued charges

 

5,239

 

4,615

 

7,437

 

 

7,113

 

7,622

 

9,129

Non-current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

8

10,041

 

8,555

 

8,553

Lease liabilities

 

847

 

793

 

859

Deferred income tax liabilities

5

3,053

 

3,137

 

3,145

Pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities

 

446

 

425

 

433

Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs

 

1,575

 

1,662

 

1,650

Other non-current liabilities

 

176

 

159

 

161

TOTAL LIABILITIES

 

23,251

 

22,353

 

23,930

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share capital

9

15,667

 

15,769

 

15,771

Contributed surplus

 

203

 

244

 

248

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(327)

 

(336)

 

(251)

Retained earnings

 

6,477

 

7,399

 

7,101

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

22,020

 

23,076

 

22,869

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

45,271

 

45,429

 

46,799

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements As at and for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

NOTE 1 BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nutrien Ltd. (collectively with its subsidiaries, known as “Nutrien”, “we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”) is the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. Nutrien plays a critical role in helping growers around the globe increase food production in a sustainable manner.

These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements (“interim financial statements”) are based on International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) and have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”. The accounting policies and methods of computation used in preparing these interim financial statements are consistent with those used in the preparation of our 2019 annual consolidated financial statements. These interim financial statements include the accounts of Nutrien and its subsidiaries; however, they do not include all disclosures normally provided in annual consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our 2019 annual consolidated financial statements.

Certain immaterial 2019 figures have been reclassified in the condensed consolidated statements of (loss) earnings, condensed consolidated statements of cash flows and segment information.

In management’s opinion, the interim financial statements include all adjustments necessary to fairly present such information in all material respects. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for any other interim period or the fiscal year. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic. We have assessed our accounting estimates and other matters that require the use of forecasted financial information for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The assessment included estimates of the unknown future impacts of the pandemic using information that is reasonably available at this time. Accounting estimates and other matters assessed include the allowance for expected credit losses of receivables from customers, inventory valuation, goodwill and other long-lived assets, financial assets, tax assets, pension obligation and assets, and revenue recognition. Based on our current assessment, there was not a material impact to these interim financial statements. As additional information becomes available, the future assessment of these estimates, including expectations about the severity, duration and scope of the pandemic, could differ materially in future reporting periods.

These interim financial statements were authorized by the audit committee of the Board of Directors for issue on November 2, 2020.

NOTE 2 SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has four reportable operating segments: Retail, Potash, Nitrogen and Phosphate. The Retail segment distributes crop nutrients, crop protection products, seed and merchandise, and provides services directly to growers through a network of farm centers in North America, South America and Australia. The Potash, Nitrogen and Phosphate segments are differentiated by the chemical nutrient contained in the products that each produces. Sales reported under our Corporate and Others segment primarily relates to our non-core Canadian business which was sold in the third quarter of 2020.

In the third quarter of 2020, our Chief Operating Decision Maker changed the measure used to evaluate the performance of our operating segments from net earnings (loss) before finance costs, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) to adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA provides a better indication of the segments performance as it excludes the impact of impairments and other costs that are centrally managed by our corporate function. Due to the change in the measurement of the segments, we have presented adjusted EBITDA for the comparative periods.

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

Potash

 

Nitrogen

 

Phosphate

 

and Others

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Sales

– third party

2,712

 

634

 

524

 

312

 

23

 

-

 

4,205

 

– intersegment

8

 

63

 

103

 

40

 

-

 

(214)

 

-

Sales

– total

2,720

 

697

 

627

 

352

 

23

 

(214)

 

4,205

Freight, transportation and distribution

-

 

106

 

87

 

60

 

-

 

(49)

 

204

Net sales

2,720

 

591

 

540

 

292

 

23

 

(165)

 

4,001

Cost of goods sold

2,059

 

303

 

482

 

293

 

20

 

(153)

 

3,004

Gross margin

661

 

288

 

58

 

(1)

 

3

 

(12)

 

997

Selling expenses

669

 

3

 

7

 

1

 

(4)

 

-

 

676

General and administrative expenses

34

 

2

 

3

 

2

 

66

 

-

 

107

Provincial mining and other taxes

-

 

58

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

58

Share-based compensation expense

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

29

 

-

 

29

Impairment of assets

-

 

22

 

27

 

769

 

5

 

-

 

823

Other (income) expenses

(34)

 

(1)

 

(16)

 

10

 

67

 

-

 

26

(Loss) earnings before finance costs and income taxes

(8)

 

204

 

37

 

(783)

 

(160)

 

(12)

 

(722)

Depreciation and amortization

170

 

124

 

131

 

60

 

15

 

-

 

500

EBITDA

162

 

328

 

168

 

(723)

 

(145)

 

(12)

 

(222)

Acquisition and integration related costs

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

10

 

-

 

10

Share-based compensation expense

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

29

 

-

 

29

Impairment of assets

-

 

22

 

27

 

769

 

5

 

-

 

823

COVID-19 related expenses

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

11

 

-

 

11

Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

13

 

-

 

13

Loss on disposal of business

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

6

 

-

 

6

Adjusted EBITDA

162

 

350

 

195

 

46

 

(71)

 

(12)

 

670

Assets – at September 30, 2020

19,722

 

12,005

 

10,805

 

1,362

 

1,760

 

(383)

 

45,271

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

Potash

 

Nitrogen

 

Phosphate

 

and Others

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Sales

– third party

2,489

 

748

 

564

 

333

 

35

 

-

 

4,169

 

– intersegment

10

 

68

 

115

 

43

 

-

 

(236)

 

-

Sales

– total

2,499

 

816

 

679

 

376

 

35

 

(236)

 

4,169

Freight, transportation and distribution

-

 

107

 

77

 

62

 

-

 

(36)

 

210

Net sales

2,499

 

709

 

602

 

314

 

35

 

(200)

 

3,959

Cost of goods sold

1,844

 

303

 

469

 

329

 

35

 

(161)

 

2,819

Gross margin

655

 

406

 

133

 

(15)

 

-

 

(39)

 

1,140

Selling expenses

601

 

2

 

7

 

2

 

(5)

 

-

 

607

General and administrative expenses

28

 

-

 

4

 

-

 

65

 

-

 

97

Provincial mining and other taxes

-

 

83

 

1

 

-

 

8

 

-

 

92

Share-based compensation recovery

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(21)

 

-

 

(21)

Other (income) expenses

(12)

 

1

 

1

 

7

 

40

 

-

 

37

Earnings (loss) before finance costs and income taxes

38

 

320

 

120

 

(24)

 

(87)

 

(39)

 

328

Depreciation and amortization

152

 

110

 

127

 

58

 

10

 

-

 

457

EBITDA

190

 

430

 

247

 

34

 

(77)

 

(39)

 

785

Merger and related costs

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

21

 

-

 

21

Share-based compensation recovery

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

(21)

 

-

 

(21)

Foreign exchange loss, net of

related derivatives

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

2

 

-

 

2

Adjusted EBITDA

190

 

430

 

247

 

34

 

(75)

 

(39)

 

787

Assets – at December 31, 2019

19,990

 

11,696

 

10,991

 

2,198

 

2,129

 

(205)

 

46,799

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

Potash

 

Nitrogen

 

Phosphate

 

and Others

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Sales

– third party

12,091

 

1,798

 

1,925

 

923

 

70

 

-

 

16,807

 

– intersegment

27

 

191

 

481

 

146

 

-

 

(845)

 

-

Sales

– total

12,118

 

1,989

 

2,406

 

1,069

 

70

 

(845)

 

16,807

Freight, transportation and distribution

-

 

293

 

335

 

187

 

-

 

(162)

 

653

Net sales

12,118

 

1,696

 

2,071

 

882

 

70

 

(683)

 

16,154

Cost of goods sold

9,316

 

878

 

1,708

 

862

 

63

 

(698)

 

12,129

Gross margin

2,802

 

818

 

363

 

20

 

7

 

15

 

4,025

Selling expenses

2,068

 

7

 

19

 

4

 

(17)

 

-

 

2,081

General and administrative expenses

102

 

5

 

7

 

7

 

191

 

-

 

312

Provincial mining and other taxes

-

 

161

 

1

 

-

 

1

 

-

 

163

Share-based compensation expense

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

9

 

-

 

9

Impairment of assets

-

 

22

 

27

 

769

 

5

 

-

 

823

Other (income) expenses

(13)

 

4

 

(25)

 

19

 

153

 

-

 

138

Earnings (loss) before finance costs and income taxes

645

 

619

 

334

 

(779)

 

(335)

 

15

 

499

Depreciation and amortization

488

 

329

 

453

 

179

 

41

 

-

 

1,490

EBITDA

1,133

 

948

 

787

 

(600)

 

(294)

 

15

 

1,989

Acquisition and integration related costs

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

38

 

-

 

38

Share-based compensation expense

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

9

 

-

 

9

Impairment of assets

-

 

22

 

27

 

769

 

5

 

-

 

823

COVID-19 related expenses

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

30

 

-

 

30

Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

4

 

-

 

4

Loss on disposal of business

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

6

 

-

 

6

Adjusted EBITDA

1,133

 

970

 

814

 

169

 

(202)

 

15

 

2,899

Assets – at September 30, 2020

19,722

 

12,005

 

10,805

 

1,362

 

1,760

 

(383)

 

45,271

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

Potash

 

Nitrogen

 

Phosphate

 

and Others

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

Sales

– third party

11,022

 

2,328

 

2,033

 

1,099

 

99

 

-

 

16,581

 

– intersegment

28

 

178

 

487

 

160

 

-

 

(853)

 

-

Sales

– total

11,050

 

2,506

 

2,520

 

1,259

 

99

 

(853)

 

16,581

Freight, transportation and distribution

-

 

252

 

275

 

178

 

-

 

(109)

 

596

Net sales

11,050

 

2,254

 

2,245

 

1,081

 

99

 

(744)

 

15,985

Cost of goods sold

8,546

 

892

 

1,652

 

1,092

 

99

 

(723)

 

11,558

Gross margin

2,504

 

1,362

 

593

 

(11)

 

-

 

(21)

 

4,427

Selling expenses

1,816

 

7

 

21

 

5

 

(14)

 

-

 

1,835

General and administrative expenses

82

 

-

 

11

 

3

 

191

 

-

 

287

Provincial mining and other taxes

-

 

237

 

2

 

1

 

13

 

-

 

253

Share-based compensation expense

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

95

 

-

 

95

Impairment of assets

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

33

 

-

 

33

Other expenses (income)

39

 

(2)

 

(27)

 

20

 

95

 

-

 

125

Earnings (loss) before finance costs and income taxes

567

 

1,120

 

586

 

(40)

 

(413)

 

(21)

 

1,799

Depreciation and amortization

433

 

324

 

394

 

180

 

32

 

-

 

1,363

EBITDA

1,000

 

1,444

 

980

 

140

 

(381)

 

(21)

 

3,162

Merger and related costs

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

57

 

-

 

57

Share-based compensation expense

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

95

 

-

 

95

Impairment of assets

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

33

 

-

 

33

Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

-

 

-

 

-

 

-

 

14

 

-

 

14

Adjusted EBITDA

1,000

 

1,444

 

980

 

140

 

(182)

 

(21)

 

3,361

Assets – at December 31, 2019

19,990

 

11,696

 

10,991

 

2,198

 

2,129

 

(205)

 

46,799

Presented below is revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by product line or geographic location for each reportable segment to show how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30

 

September 30

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Retail sales by product line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop nutrients

780

 

769

 

4,092

 

4,082

Crop protection products

1,328

 

1,318

 

4,774

 

4,348

Seed

103

 

60

 

1,638

 

1,613

Merchandise

234

 

135

 

703

 

387

Services and other

275

 

217

 

911

 

620

 

2,720

 

2,499

 

12,118

 

11,050

Potash sales by geography

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufactured product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

North America

358

 

437

 

1,002

 

1,084

Offshore 1

339

 

379

 

987

 

1,421

Other potash and purchased products

-

 

-

 

-

 

1

 

697

 

816

 

1,989

 

2,506

Nitrogen sales by product line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufactured product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ammonia

129

 

172

 

576

 

713

Urea

214

 

239

 

780

 

801

Solutions, nitrates and sulfates

177

 

193

 

606

 

613

Other nitrogen and purchased products

107

 

75

 

444

 

393

 

627

 

679

 

2,406

 

2,520

Phosphate sales by product line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufactured product

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fertilizer

216

 

205

 

622

 

752

Industrial and feed

105

 

119

 

342

 

359

Other phosphate and purchased products

31

 

52

 

105

 

148

 

352

 

376

 

1,069

 

1,259

1 Relates to Canpotex Limited ("Canpotex") (Note 12).

NOTE 3 IMPAIRMENT OF ASSETS

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recorded the following impairments of assets in the statement of (loss) earnings relating to our property plant and equipment:

Cash-generating units ("CGUs")

 

Aurora

 

White Springs

Segment

 

   

Phosphate

Impairment indicator

 

   

Lower long-term forecasted global phosphate prices

Pre-tax impairment loss ($)

 

545

 

215

Recoverable value ($)

 

995 (post-tax)

 

160 (pre-tax)

Valuation technique

 

Fair value less costs of disposal (“FVLCD”) a Level 3 measurement

 

Value in use

Key assumptions

 

 

 

End of mine life (proven and probable reserves) (year)

 

2050

 

2029

Long-term growth rate (%)

 

2.0

 

n/a

Post-tax discount rate (%)

 

10.5

 

12.0 (pre-tax - 16.0)

For our Aurora CGU, the recoverable value was based on after-tax discounted cash flows (using a five-year projection and a terminal year thereafter to the expected mine life), which incorporated assumptions an independent market participant would apply. For our White Springs CGU, the recoverable value was based on pre-tax discounted cash flows until the end of the mine life.

The recoverable value is most sensitive to the following key assumptions: our internal sales price forecasts which consider projections from an independent third-party data source, discount rates, long-term growth rates, and expected mine life. We used key assumptions that were based on historical data and estimates of future results from internal sources, external price benchmarks, mineral reserve technical reports, as well as industry and market trends.

The following table highlights sensitivities to the recoverable value which could result in additional impairment losses or reversals of previously recorded losses. The sensitivities have been calculated independently of changes in other key variables.

 

Aurora

 

 

 

 

Increase (Decrease)

Key Assumptions

 

Change in Assumption

 

to Recoverable Value ($)

Net selling price

±

10 per tonne

±

150

Discount rate

±

1.0 percentage point

±

120

For our White Springs CGU, there were no reasonably possible changes in the key assumptions that would result in a substantial change in the recoverable value.

At September 30, 2020, we performed impairment testing on the Trinidad CGU, part of our Nitrogen segment, due to the indefinite closure of an ammonia plant in response to market conditions and lower long-term forecasted global ammonia prices. No impairment resulted from comparing the carrying value of the Trinidad CGU to its recoverable value determined on a FVLCD methodology. FVLCD was based on after-tax discounted cash flows (using a five-year projection and a 2.0% terminal growth rate) discounted at a post-tax rate of 12.6%.

The following table indicates the percentages by which key assumptions would need to change individually for the estimated Trinidad CGU recoverable value to be equal to the carrying value:

 

 

Change Required for Carrying

Key Assumptions

 

Value to Equal Recoverable Value

Net selling price (5-year average)

 

4 percent decrease

Production volumes (5-year average)

 

5 percent decrease

Discount rate (post-tax)

 

0.9 percentage point increase

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we also recorded $63 of impairment losses relating to other non-current assets.

NOTE 4 OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30

 

September 30

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Merger and related costs

-

 

21

 

-

 

57

Acquisition and integration related costs

10

 

-

 

38

 

-

Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

14

 

2

 

1

 

14

Earnings of equity-accounted investees

(23)

 

(6)

 

(46)

 

(53)

Bad debt (recovery) expense

(18)

 

3

 

9

 

38

COVID-19 related expenses

11

 

-

 

30

 

-

Loss on disposal of business

6

 

-

 

6

 

-

Other expenses

26

 

17

 

100

 

69

26

37

138

125

NOTE 5 INCOME TAXES

A separate estimated average annual effective income tax rate was determined for each taxing jurisdiction and applied individually to the interim period pre-tax earnings for each jurisdiction.

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30

 

September 30

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Income tax (recovery) expense

(264)

 

40

 

(45)

 

346

Actual effective tax rate on loss/earnings (%)

26

 

22

 

14

 

25

Actual effective tax rate including discrete items (%)

31

 

22

 

(47)

 

25

Discrete tax adjustments that impacted the tax rate

(48)

 

1

 

(59)

 

5

Income tax balances within the condensed consolidated balance sheets were comprised of the following:

Income Tax Assets and Liabilities

Balance Sheet Location

As at September 30, 2020

 

As at December 31, 2019

Income tax assets

 

 

 

 

Current

Receivables

50

 

104

Non-current

Other assets

213

 

36

Deferred income tax assets

Other assets

258

 

249

Total income tax assets

 

521

 

389

Income tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

Current

Payables and accrued charges

105

 

43

Non-current

Other non-current liabilities

40

 

44

Deferred income tax liabilities

Deferred income tax liabilities

3,053

 

3,145

Total income tax liabilities

 

3,198

 

3,232

NOTE 6 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value

Estimated fair values for financial instruments are designed to approximate amounts for which the instruments could be exchanged in a current arm’s-length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties. The valuation policies and procedures for financial reporting purposes are determined by our finance department. There have been no changes to our valuation methods presented in Note 12 of the 2019 annual consolidated financial statements and those valuation methods have been applied in these interim financial statements.

The following table presents our fair value hierarchy for financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis or measured at amortized cost:

 

September 30, 2020

 

December 31, 2019

 

Carrying

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

 

 

Financial assets (liabilities) measured at

Amount

 

Level 1 1

 

Level 2 1

 

Amount

 

Level 1 1

 

Level 2 1

Fair value on a recurring basis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

465

 

-

 

465

 

671

 

-

 

671

Derivative instrument assets

31

 

-

 

31

 

5

 

-

 

5

Other current financial assets - marketable securities 2

155

 

23

 

132

 

193

 

27

 

166

Investments at FVTOCI 3

135

 

135

 

-

 

161

 

161

 

-

Derivative instrument liabilities

(35)

 

-

 

(35)

 

(33)

 

-

 

(33)

Amortized cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes and debentures

-

 

-

 

-

 

(494)

 

-

 

(503)

Fixed and floating rate debt

-

 

-

 

-

 

(8)

 

-

 

(8)

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes and debentures

(10,003)

 

(7,911)

 

(3,494)

 

(8,528)

 

(1,726)

 

(7,440)

Fixed and floating rate debt

(38)

 

-

 

(38)

 

(25)

 

-

 

(25)

1 During the period ended September 30, 2020, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

2 Marketable securities consist of equity and fixed income securities. We determine the fair value of equity securities based on the bid price of identical instruments in active markets. We value fixed income securities using quoted prices of instruments with similar terms and credit risk.

3 Investments at fair value through other comprehensive income ("FVTOCI") are comprised of shares in Sinofert Holdings Ltd.

NOTE 7 SHORT-TERM DEBT

Short-term debt was comprised of:

 

Rate of Interest (%)

 

Total Facility Limit as at September 30, 2020

 

As at September 30, 2020

 

As at December 31, 2019

Credit facilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unsecured revolving term credit facility

NIL

 

4,500

 

-

 

-

Uncommitted revolving demand facility

NIL

 

500

 

-

 

-

Other credit facilities 1

0.8 - 9.5

 

600

 

193

 

326

Commercial paper

0.2 - 0.6

 

 

 

1,451

 

650

 

 

 

 

 

1,644

 

976

1 Other credit facilities are unsecured and consist of South American facilities with debt of $143 (December 31, 2019 – $149) and interest rates ranging from 2.0 percent to 9.5 percent, Australian facilities with debt of $24 (December 31, 2019 – $157) and an interest rate of 1.3 percent, and other facilities with debt of $26 (December 31, 2019 – $20) and interest rates ranging from 0.8 percent to 4.0 percent.

The amount available under the commercial paper program is limited to the availability of backup funds under the $4,500 unsecured revolving term credit facility and excess cash invested in highly liquid securities.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we entered into new committed revolving credit facilities totaling approximately $1,500, all with the same principal covenants and events of default as our existing credit facilities. We closed these credit facilities after the issuance of the new notes as described in Note 8.

NOTE 8 LONG-TERM DEBT

The following tables summarize our long-term debt issuances and repayment activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

 

Rate of interest (%)

 

Maturity

 

Amount

Notes issued 2020

1.900

 

May 13, 2023

 

500

Notes issued 2020

2.950

 

May 13, 2030

 

500

Notes issued 2020

3.950

 

May 13, 2050

 

500

 

 

 

 

 

1,500

The notes issued in 2020 are unsecured, rank equally with our existing unsecured notes, and have no sinking fund requirements prior to maturity. Each series is redeemable and provides for redemption prior to maturity, at our option, at specified prices.

 

Rate of interest (%)

 

Maturity

 

Amount

Notes repaid 2020

4.875

 

March 30, 2020

 

500

In March 2020, we filed a base shelf prospectus in Canada and the US qualifying the issuance of up to $5,000 of common shares, debt and other securities during a period of 25 months from March 16, 2020. Issuance of securities requires us to file a prospectus supplement and is subject to availability of funding in capital markets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we filed a prospectus supplement to issue $1,500 of notes, as described above.

NOTE 9 SHARE CAPITAL

Share repurchase programs

 

Board of Directors Approval

 

Expiry

 

Maximum Shares for Repurchase

2019 Normal Course Issuer Bid 1

February 20, 2019

 

February 26, 2020

 

42,164,420

2020 Normal Course Issuer Bid 2

February 18, 2020

 

February 26, 2021

 

28,572,458

1 The 2019 normal course issuer bid permitted the repurchase of up to 7 percent of our outstanding common shares for cancellation. As of the expiry date, we had repurchased 33,256,668 of the maximum shares for repurchase.

2 The 2020 normal course issuer bid permits the repurchase of up to 5 percent of our outstanding common shares for cancellation and can expire earlier than the date above if we acquire the maximum number of common shares allowable or otherwise decide not to make any further repurchases.

Purchases under the normal course issuer bids were, or may be, made through open market purchases at market prices as well as by other means permitted by applicable securities regulatory authorities, including private agreements.

The following table summarizes our share repurchase activities during the period:

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30

 

September 30

 

2020

 

2019

 

2020

 

2019

Number of common shares repurchased for cancellation

-

 

-

 

3,832,580

 

36,066,766

Average price per share (US dollars)

-

 

-

 

41.96

 

52.07

Total cost

-

 

-

 

160

 

1,878

Dividends declared

We declared dividends per share of $0.45 (2019 – $0.45) during the three months ended September 30, 2020, payable on October 16, 2020 to shareholders of record on September 30, 2020 and $1.35 (2019 – $0.88) during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

NOTE 10 BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

Ruralco

On September 30, 2019, we acquired Ruralco Holdings Limited (“Ruralco”) for a purchase price, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired, of $330. We have completed our assessment of identifying and measuring all the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This assessment included a thorough review of all internal and external sources of information available on circumstances that existed at the acquisition date. We engaged independent valuation experts to assist in determining the fair value of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The significant fair value considerations used in determining the allocation of purchase price are consistent with those disclosed in Note 4 of the 2019 annual consolidated financial statements.

Other Acquisitions

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we acquired several businesses, the largest of which was Tec Agro Group, a leading agriculture retailer in Brazil. The acquired businesses include 37 Retail locations in North and South America and Australia. Expected benefits of the acquisitions include expansion of geographical coverage for the sale of crop input products and services, an increased customer base and workforce, and synergies between Nutrien and the acquired businesses.

The fair values allocated to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities were as follows:

 

September 30, 2020

 

Ruralco

 

 

Other Acquisitions

 

Preliminary 1

 

Adjustments

 

Final Fair Value

 

 

Preliminary

Receivables

318

 

(2)

 

316

2

 

69

Inventories

115

 

(3)

 

112

 

 

63

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

8

 

(1)

 

7

 

 

4

Property, plant and equipment

136

 

4

 

140

 

 

53

Goodwill

207

 

29

 

236

 

 

184

Other intangible assets

210

 

(2)

 

208

 

 

-

Investments

15

 

-

 

15

 

 

-

Other assets

16

 

(14)

 

2

 

 

-

Total assets

1,025

 

11

 

1,036

 

 

373

Short-term debt

167

 

-

 

167

 

 

36

Payables and accrued charges

363

 

(39)

 

324

 

 

111

Lease liabilities, including current portion

110

 

-

 

110

 

 

-

Deferred income tax liabilities

42

 

(11)

 

31

 

 

1

Other non-current liabilities

13

 

61

 

74

 

 

9

Total liabilities

695

 

11

 

706

 

 

157

Total consideration

330

 

-

 

330

 

 

216

1 As previously reported in our second quarter financial statements. We recorded additional adjustments to the preliminary fair value primarily related to changes in the preliminary valuation assumptions, including refinement of our liabilities. All measurement period adjustments were offset against goodwill.

2 Includes receivables from customers with gross contractual amounts of $260, of which $7 are considered to be uncollectible.

Financial information related to business acquisitions is as follows:

Pro Forma 1

Other Acquisitions

Sales

320

EBIT

24

1 Estimated annual sales and earnings before finance costs and income taxes ("EBIT") if acquisitions occurred at January 1, 2020.

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30, 2020

September 30, 2020

From date of acquisition

Other Acquisitions

Other Acquisitions

Sales

60

100

EBIT

6

6

NOTE 11 SEASONALITY

Seasonality in our business results from increased demand for products during planting season. Crop input sales are generally higher in spring and fall application seasons. Crop input inventories are normally accumulated leading up to each application season. The results of this seasonality have a corresponding effect on receivables from customers and rebates receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets and trade payables. Our short-term debt also fluctuates during the year to meet working capital needs. Our cash collections generally occur after the application season is complete, while customer prepayments made to us are typically concentrated in December and January and inventory prepayments paid to our vendors are typically concentrated in the period from November to January. Feed and industrial sales are more evenly distributed throughout the year.

NOTE 12 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We sell potash from our Canadian mines for use outside Canada and the United States exclusively to Canpotex. Canpotex sells potash to buyers in export markets pursuant to term and spot contracts at agreed upon prices. Our revenue is recognized at the amount received from Canpotex representing proceeds from their sale of potash, less net costs of Canpotex. Sales to Canpotex are shown in Note 2.

As at

September 30, 2020

 

December 31 ,2019

Receivables from Canpotex

201

 

194

 

Investor Relations: Richard Downey Vice President, Investor Relations (403) 225-7357 Investors@nutrien.com

Tim Mizuno Director, Investor Relations (306) 933-8548

Media Relations: Megan Fielding Vice President, Brand & Culture Communications (403) 797-3015

Contact us at: www.nutrien.com

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