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Strong Execution and Improved Market Conditions Set up 2021 and Beyond

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Nutrien Ltd. (NTR) reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $316 million ($0.55 per share) and adjusted EBITDA of $768 million, reflecting strong performance amid improving agricultural fundamentals. Notably, the company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.46 and announced a share buyback program. The Retail Ag Solutions segment showed a 29% increase in adjusted EBITDA year-over-year, supported by robust fertilizer applications. Despite a challenging year, Nutrien generated $1.8 billion in free cash flow and forecasts adjusted earnings per share of $2.05 to $2.75 for 2021.

Positive
  • Fourth-quarter net earnings of $316 million ($0.55 per share).
  • Raised quarterly dividend to $0.46 per share, third increase in three years.
  • Generated $1.8 billion in free cash flow in 2020.
  • Retail Ag Solutions achieved a 29% increase in adjusted EBITDA compared to Q4 2019.
  • Potash adjusted EBITDA increased 48% in Q4 compared to the same period in 2019.
Negative
  • Potash adjusted EBITDA decreased 25% in 2020 compared to 2019 due to lower selling prices.
  • Nitrogen adjusted EBITDA decreased 13% in 2020 despite higher sales volumes.

Nutrien Ltd. (TSX and NYSE: NTR) announced today its fourth quarter and full year 2020 results, with fourth-quarter net earnings of $316 million ($0.55 diluted earnings per share). Fourth-quarter adjusted net earnings1 were $0.24 per share and adjusted EBITDA1 was $768 million.

“Nutrien reported excellent results across our entire business. Our Retail Ag Solutions business delivered a record fourth quarter and we also reported higher potash and nitrogen sales volumes and lower production costs. Agriculture fundamentals began to improve in late 2020 and we are starting to see the benefit to our business from this cyclical recovery,” commented Chuck Magro, Nutrien’s President and CEO.

“We are committed to shareholder returns and again raised our dividend and announced another share buyback program, which emphasizes the strength of Nutrien, notwithstanding a global pandemic. We continually look for ways to improve our business portfolio, including the MOPCO divestment for over half-a-billion dollars, with the intention to reallocate the capital to higher return opportunities to drive shareholder value,” added Mr. Magro.

Highlights:

  • Nutrien announced a dividend increase and new share buyback program. The Board of Directors approved an increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.46 per share, our third dividend increase in three years with an annualized payout at $1.84 per share. Nutrien’s Board of Directors also approved the purchase of up to five percent of Nutrien’s outstanding common shares over a one-year period through a normal course issuer bid (NCIB). The NCIB is subject to acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange.
  • Nutrien generated $1.8 billion in free cash flow1 in 2020, and $2.4 billion including the improvement to our non-cash operating working capital1.
  • Retail Ag Solutions delivered a 29 percent increase in adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019, due to exceptional organic growth and strong fall fertilizer applications in North America. Retail generated 16 percent higher adjusted EBITDA in 2020 compared to 2019 due to double digit organic growth and contributions from acquisitions. 2020 Retail adjusted EBITDA to sales was 9.7 percent on a consolidated basis and 10.6 percent in the US, higher by 0.4 and 0.9 percentage points, respectively, compared to 2019.
    Retail Ag Solutions further improved results through supply chain and efficiency efforts including improving the cash operating coverage ratio and lowering Retail adjusted average working capital1 by nearly $900 million compared to 2019. Adjusted EBITDA per US selling location1 reached $1.08 million and digital platform sales exceeded $1.2 billion in 2020, more than double our goal of $500 million and over four times 2019 levels.
  • Potash adjusted EBITDA in the fourth quarter increased 48 percent compared to the same period in 2019, due to much stronger domestic and offshore sales volumes. 2020 Potash adjusted EBITDA was 25 percent lower than in 2019 due to lower net realized selling prices. Potash sales volumes in 2020 were the second highest on record and Nutrien is fully committed on domestic and offshore sales volumes into April of 2021, despite not shipping volumes to China and India until new sales contracts are negotiated. Potash cash cost of product manufactured1 was $59 per tonne in 2020, down $4 per tonne from 2019.
  • Nitrogen adjusted EBITDA increased 3 percent in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the fourth quarter of 2019 primarily due to higher sales volumes. Nitrogen adjusted EBITDA decreased 13 percent in 2020 as higher sales volumes and lower cost of goods sold per tonne were more than offset by lower net realized selling prices. Sales volumes increased by nearly 700,000 tonnes in 2020 driven by higher production resulting from debottlenecking projects and strong operating rates.
  • Nutrien closed the sale of its stake in Misr Fertilizers Production Company S.A.E. (“MOPCO”) which includes settlement of related arbitration claims. Total net proceeds received from the transaction in 2020 were $540 million. The investment had contributed approximately $15 million to $20 million to Nutrien’s adjusted EBITDA annually, and carried a book value of approximately $300 million. The cash received is expected to be redeployed to generate higher returns for shareholders.
  • Nutrien announced the launch of the agricultural industry’s most comprehensive carbon program, providing end-to-end support for growers to drive improved sustainability, boost yields and provide the opportunity to monetize improved carbon performance at the farm level through carbon credits.
  • Nutrien’s 2021 adjusted net earnings per share1 and adjusted EBITDA1 guidance is $2.05 to $2.75 per share and $4.0 billion to $4.5 billion, respectively.

1 This financial measure including related guidance, if applicable, is a non-IFRS financial measure. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section for further information.

Market Outlook

Agriculture and Retail

  • Key crop prices continue to be supported by very tight global supply and demand fundamentals, which have increased farm level profitability and boosted grower sentiment. Global crop demand is strong and is aided by record Chinese grain and oilseed imports.
  • US major crop planted acreage is expected to increase by approximately 10 million acres in 2021. This increase is expected to lead to much higher crop input demand, particularly for crop nutrients, as prospective fertilizer costs as a proportion of crop revenue are at decade-low levels.
  • Record Brazilian crop margins led to higher soybean planting in 2020 and is expected to result in higher year-over-year planted area for Safrinha corn in 2021. We expect this will support strong Brazilian crop input demand in 2021.

Crop Nutrient Markets

  • Global potash demand surpassed expectations in late 2020 and we now estimate world potash shipments reached record levels at approximately 68 million tonnes. Potash prices also improved considerably in late 2020, with US Midwest prices up nearly $100 per tonne at the end of 2020 compared to mid-year levels. This demand momentum continues in 2021 supported by favorable crop economics, high potash affordability and limited inventory build in major markets. As a result, we forecast 2021 global potash shipments will be 68 to 70 million tonnes.
  • India and China settled a 2021 potash agreement with one supplier, the only major potash supply agreements to date. Canpotex and other major suppliers individually commented that the agreement did not reflect strengthening market conditions.
  • North American fall potash applications were very strong in 2020 and channel inventories are low. Spring potash demand continues to be strong and Nutrien has been fully committed on domestic sales into the second quarter of 2021 since early December 2020. Globally, potash inventory levels continue to decrease while crop prices and grower profitability have increased. As a result, Canpotex is fully committed into the second quarter of 2021 and has not placed or allocated any volumes to China nor India since the previous supply contracts expired.
  • A rally in global energy prices in early 2021 steepened the nitrogen cost curve, which in addition to strong agricultural and recovering industrial demand, led to higher nitrogen prices. Global ammonia prices are further supported by tightening supply, while urea prices are higher due to solid demand in nearly all key markets. We expect that Chinese urea exports in 2021 will decline to 3 to 5 million tonnes from 5.5 million tonnes in 2020 due to strong domestic demand and higher coal feedstock prices.
  • Global phosphate prices have continued to trend higher in early 2021, driven by tight supply and higher input costs.

Financial Outlook and Guidance

Based on market factors detailed above, we are issuing 2021 adjusted net earnings guidance of $2.05 to $2.75 per share and 2021 adjusted EBITDA guidance of $4.0 to $4.5 billion.

All guidance numbers, including those noted above and related sensitivities are outlined in the tables below.

2021 Guidance Ranges 1

 

Low

 

 

 

High

 

Adjusted net earnings per share 2

$

2.05

 

 

$

2.75

 

Adjusted EBITDA (billions) 2

$

4.0

 

 

$

4.5

 

Retail Adjusted EBITDA (billions)

$

1.5

 

 

$

1.6

 

Potash Adjusted EBITDA (billions)

$

1.4

 

 

$

1.6

 

Nitrogen Adjusted EBITDA (billions)

$

1.1

 

 

$

1.3

 

Phosphate Adjusted EBITDA (millions)

$

250

 

 

$

350

 

Potash sales tonnes (millions) 3

 

12.5

 

 

 

13.0

 

Nitrogen sales tonnes (millions) 3

 

10.9

 

 

 

11.4

 

Depreciation and amortization (billions)

$

1.9

 

 

$

2.0

 

Effective tax rate on adjusted earnings

 

22

%

 

 

24

%

Sustaining capital expenditures (billions) 2

$

1.1

 

 

$

1.2

 

 

Impact to

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

Adjusted

 

2021 Annual Assumptions & Sensitivities 1

 

EBITDA

 

 

EPS 4

 

$1/MMBtu change in NYMEX 5

$

155

 

$

0.21

 

$25/tonne change in realized potash selling prices

$

260

 

$

0.35

 

$25/tonne change in realized ammonia selling prices

$

47

 

$

0.06

 

$25/tonne change in realized urea selling prices

$

82

 

$

0.11

 

2021 FX Rate CAD to USD

 

1.29

 

2021 NYMEX natural gas ($US/MMBtu)

 

$ 2.80

 

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.
4 Assumes 570 million shares outstanding.
5 Nitrogen related impact.

Consolidated Results

 

Three Months Ended December 31

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31

(millions of US dollars)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

Sales 1

4,052

 

3,462

 

17

 

20,908

 

20,084

 

4

Freight, transportation and distribution

202

 

172

 

17

 

855

 

768

 

11

Cost of goods sold

2,685

 

2,256

 

19

 

14,814

 

13,814

 

7

Gross margin 1

1,165

 

1,034

 

13

 

5,239

 

5,502

 

(5)

Expenses 1

762

 

971

 

(22)

 

4,337

 

3,640

 

19

Net earnings (loss)

316

 

(48)

 

n/m

 

459

 

992

 

(54)

Adjusted EBITDA 2

768

 

664

 

16

 

3,667

 

4,025

 

(9)

Free cash flow ("FCF") 2

196

 

138

 

42

 

1,830

 

2,157

 

(15)

FCF including changes in non-cash operating working

capital 2

2,370

 

2,068

 

15

 

2,404

 

2,647

 

(9)

1 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified for the three months and year ended December 31, 2019.
2 See the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section.

Net earnings increased in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to improved operating results, the gain associated with the MOPCO transaction and the impact of impairments in the fourth quarter of 2019. Net earnings in 2020 were lower than 2019 due to lower realized crop nutrient prices and the non-cash impairment of assets largely related to our Phosphate operations in the third quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA increased in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to strong Retail earnings growth and higher potash sales volumes. Adjusted EBITDA decreased in the full year 2020 compared to 2019 primarily due to lower crop nutrient prices that more than offset strong Retail organic growth, earnings contributions from acquisitions and greater operational efficiencies. The COVID-19 pandemic had limited impact on our results 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 twelve months ended December 31, 2020 to the results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 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 December 31

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross Margin (%)

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop nutrients

1,108

 

907

 

22

 

236

 

186

 

27

 

21

 

21

Crop protection products

828

 

635

 

30

 

343

 

281

 

22

 

41

 

44

Seed

152

 

99

 

54

 

58

 

60

 

(3)

 

38

 

61

Merchandise

240

 

211

 

14

 

41

 

44

 

(7)

 

17

 

21

Nutrien Financial

37

 

-

 

n/m

 

37

 

-

 

n/m

 

100

 

n/m

Services and other 1

290

 

339

 

(14)

 

207

 

185

 

12

 

71

 

55

Nutrien Financial elimination 2

(37)

 

-

 

n/m

 

(37)

 

-

 

n/m

 

100

 

n/m

 

2,618

 

2,191

 

19

 

885

 

756

 

17

 

34

 

35

Cost of goods sold

1,733

 

1,435

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

885

 

756

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses 1,3

768

 

687

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings before finance

costs and taxes ("EBIT")

117

 

69

 

70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

180

 

162

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA / Adjusted EBITDA

297

 

231

 

29

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified for the three months ended December 31, 2019.
2 Represents elimination for the interest and service fees charged by Nutrien Financial to Retail branches.
3 Includes selling expenses of $727 million (2019 – $668 million).

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31

(millions of US dollars, except

Dollars

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross Margin (%)

as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Crop nutrients

5,200

 

4,989

 

4

 

1,130

 

1,032

 

9

 

22

 

21

Crop protection products

5,602

 

4,983

 

12

 

1,303

 

1,173

 

11

 

23

 

24

Seed

1,790

 

1,712

 

5

 

363

 

336

 

8

 

20

 

20

Merchandise

943

 

598

 

58

 

157

 

109

 

44

 

17

 

18

Nutrien Financial

129

 

-

 

n/m

 

129

 

-

 

n/m

 

100

 

n/m

Services and other 1

1,241

 

1,000

 

24

 

774

 

651

 

19

 

62

 

65

Nutrien Financial elimination 2

(120)

 

-

 

n/m

 

(120)

 

-

 

n/m

 

100

 

n/m

 

14,785

 

13,282

 

11

 

3,736

 

3,301

 

13

 

25

 

25

Cost of goods sold

11,049

 

9,981

 

11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross margin

3,736

 

3,301

 

13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses 1,3

2,974

 

2,665

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBIT

762

 

636

 

20

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

668

 

595

 

12

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA / Adjusted EBITDA

1,430

 

1,231

 

16

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified for the year ended December 31, 2019.
2 Represents elimination for the interest and service fees charged by Nutrien Financial to Retail branches.
3 Includes selling expenses of $2,795 million (2019 – $2,484 million).

  • Adjusted EBITDA increased in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to stronger sales and firm margins, with much higher gross margin for crop nutrients, crop protection products and services and other. Adjusted EBITDA in 2020 increased by nearly $200 million compared to 2019 from a combination of organic and acquisition-related growth.
    Selling expenses as a percent of sales decreased in the fourth quarter and were stable in 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 due to ongoing efficiency initiatives and despite higher depreciation and amortization.
  • Crop nutrients sales were higher in the fourth quarter and full year of 2020 relative to the same periods in 2019 due to 27 percent and 15 percent higher sales volumes respectively, that more than offset the impact of lower selling prices per tonne. Fourth quarter sales increased due to strong fall applications in the US and our expansion in South America. Gross margin percentage was stable in the fourth quarter of 2020 but increased for the full year of 2020 due to a larger proportion of higher-margin proprietary product sales in the year.
  • Crop protection products sales in the fourth quarter and full year 2020 were higher compared to the same periods in 2019 due to strong market share growth in all key regions. Gross margin percentage decreased in the fourth quarter due to regional mix, which was partially offset by stronger US proprietary product results. US gross margin percentage increased nearly 3 percentage points in the fourth quarter of 2020 relative to the same period in 2019. Gross margin percentage was similar year-over-year, decreasing only 0.3 percentage points compared to 2019. US gross margin percentage was 25 percent, higher by one percentage point over 2019.
  • Seed sales in the fourth quarter and full year 2020 increased relative to the same periods last year due to contributions from the Tec Agro Group and Agrosema Comercial Agricola Ltda. acquisitions in Brazil and higher sales in Australia. Gross margin percentage decreased in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to regional mix and the timing of US supplier and customer programs. Gross margin percentage in the full year 2020 was consistent with the prior year, as a one percentage point gain in the US was offset by the lower rates in Australia caused by seed mix changes.
  • Merchandise sales increased in the fourth quarter and full year of 2020 due to strong demand growth, primarily in Australia and the US. Gross margin percentage decreased in both periods relative to 2019 due to a higher mix of lower-margin product sales in Australia.
  • Nutrien Financial is reported for the first full year of operations for the Nutrien Financial business. Revenue is primarily earned through interest and service fees that are charged to our Retail branches or directly to customers.
  • Services and other sales were lower in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019 due to the timing of livestock related sales in Australia, which more than offset significantly higher application services in North and South America. Gross margin and gross margin percentage in the fourth quarter of 2020 were up significantly year-over-year primarily due to strong demand for US application services. Sales and gross margin were significantly higher in 2020 than in 2019 due to strong growth in demand for services in Australia and North America.

Potash

 

Three Months Ended December 31

(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

199

 

146

 

36

 

1,041

 

651

 

60

 

192

 

226

 

(15)

Offshore

251

 

204

 

23

 

1,613

 

1,234

 

31

 

156

 

164

 

(5)

 

450

 

350

 

29

 

2,654

 

1,885

 

41

 

170

 

186

 

(9)

Cost of goods sold

305

 

211

 

45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

116

 

112

 

4

Gross margin - manufactured

145

 

139

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54

 

74

 

(27)

Gross margin - other 1

-

 

-

 

-

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

46

 

35

 

31

Gross margin - total

145

 

139

 

4

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization - manufactured 3

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses 2

49

 

56

 

(13)

 

100

 

109

 

(8)

EBIT

96

 

83

 

16

 

Potash cash cost of product manufactured 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

123

 

66

 

86

 

 

71

 

82

 

(13)

EBITDA

219

 

149

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

1

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

220

 

149

 

48

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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 $40 million (2019 – $50 million).

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

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31

(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

908

 

978

 

(7)

 

4,815

 

4,040

 

19

 

189

 

242

 

(22)

Offshore

1,238

 

1,625

 

(24)

 

8,009

 

7,481

 

7

 

155

 

217

 

(29)

 

2,146

 

2,603

 

(18)

 

12,824

 

11,521

 

11

 

167

 

226

 

(26)

Cost of goods sold

1,183

 

1,103

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

92

 

96

 

(4)

Gross margin - manufactured

963

 

1,500

 

(36)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75

 

130

 

(42)

Gross margin - other 1

-

 

1

 

(100)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

35

 

34

 

3

Gross margin - total

963

 

1,501

 

(36)

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization - manufactured

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses 2

248

 

298

 

(17)

 

110

 

164

 

(33)

EBIT

715

 

1,203

 

(41)

 

Potash cash cost of product manufactured

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

452

 

390

 

16

 

 

59

 

63

 

(6)

EBITDA

1,167

 

1,593

 

(27)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

23

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

1,190

 

1,593

 

(25)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

2 Includes provincial mining and other taxes of $201 million (2019 – $287 million).

  • Adjusted EBITDA increased in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same quarter in 2019, due to higher domestic and offshore sales volumes and lower cost of goods sold per tonne, excluding the impact of depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA in 2020 decreased compared to 2019 as lower net realized selling prices more than offset positive impacts of significantly higher sales volumes and lower production costs and operating costs.
  • Sales volumes in the fourth quarter and full year of 2020 increased relative to the same periods in 2019 due to strong domestic and offshore demand supported by improved global crop prices, increased planted acreage in the US and strong fall application in North America in anticipation of higher planting in 2021.
  • Net realized selling price decreased in the fourth quarter and full year of 2020 due to lower year-over-year global benchmark prices.
  • Cost of goods sold per tonne increased in the fourth quarter of 2020 due to higher depreciation and amortization related to production mix and the timing of maintenance projects relative to the fourth quarter of 2019. Excluding the impact of depreciation and amortization, cost of goods sold per tonne was lower both in the fourth quarter and full year of 2020 due to production efficiencies and higher production levels. These factors also lowered the potash cash cost of product manufactured in both periods.

Canpotex Sales by Market

(percentage of sales volumes, except as

Three Months Ended December 31

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31

otherwise noted)

2020

2019

Change

 

2020

2019

Change

Latin America

31

31

-

 

32

31

1

Other Asian markets 1

24

27

(3)

 

25

27

(2)

China

21

17

4

 

22

22

-

India

17

7

10

 

14

10

4

Other markets

7

18

(11)

 

7

10

(3)

 

100

100

 

 

100

100

 

1 All Asian markets except China and India.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrogen

 

Three Months Ended December 31

(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

157

 

141

 

11

 

730

 

571

 

28

 

216

 

245

 

(12)

Urea

230

 

193

 

19

 

853

 

695

 

23

 

270

 

278

 

(3)

Solutions, nitrates and

sulfates

168

 

166

 

1

 

1,262

 

1,096

 

15

 

133

 

152

 

(13)

 

555

 

500

 

11

 

2,845

 

2,362

 

20

 

195

 

212

 

(8)

Cost of goods sold

460

 

404

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

162

 

171

 

(5)

Gross margin - manufactured

95

 

96

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

 

41

 

(20)

Gross margin - other 1

17

 

11

 

55

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

51

 

60

 

(15)

Gross margin - total

112

 

107

 

5

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization - manufactured

 

 

 

 

 

Income 2

(254)

 

(11)

 

n/m

 

84

 

101

 

(17)

EBIT

366

 

118

 

210

 

Ammonia controllable cash cost of product manufactured 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

146

 

141

 

4

 

 

40

 

48

 

(17)

EBITDA

512

 

259

 

98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments 2

(246)

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

266

 

259

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes other nitrogen (including ESN® and Rainbow) and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $114 million (2019 – $103 million) less cost of goods sold of $97 million (2019 – $92 million).

2 The adjustments consist primarily of the net gain on disposal of investment in MOPCO which was recorded in other income. See Note 2 and Note 3 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as at and for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

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

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31

(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

621

 

743

 

(16)

 

2,778

 

2,971

 

(6)

 

224

 

250

 

(10)

Urea

933

 

932

 

-

 

3,475

 

3,037

 

14

 

268

 

307

 

(13)

Solutions, nitrates and

sulfates

668

 

706

 

(5)

 

4,713

 

4,262

 

11

 

142

 

166

 

(14)

 

2,222

 

2,381

 

(7)

 

10,966

 

10,270

 

7

 

203

 

232

 

(13)

Cost of goods sold

1,804

 

1,749

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

165

 

170

 

(3)

Gross margin - manufactured

418

 

632

 

(34)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38

 

62

 

(39)

Gross margin - other 1

57

 

68

 

(16)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

55

 

52

 

6

Gross margin - total

475

 

700

 

(32)

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization - manufactured

 

 

 

 

 

Income 2

(225)

 

(4)

 

n/m

 

93

 

114

 

(18)

EBIT

700

 

704

 

(1)

 

Ammonia controllable cash cost of product manufactured

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

599

 

535

 

12

 

 

43

 

45

 

(4)

EBITDA

1,299

 

1,239

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments 2

(219)

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

1,080

 

1,239

 

(13)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes other nitrogen (including ESN® and Rainbow) and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $518 million (2019 – $467 million) less cost of goods sold of $461 million (2019 – $399 million).

2 The adjustments consist primarily of the net gain on disposal of investment in MOPCO which was recorded in other income. See Note 2 and Note 3 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as at and for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2020.

  • Adjusted EBITDA increased in the fourth quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to significantly higher sales volumes that more than offset lower net realized selling prices. Adjusted EBITDA in the full year 2020 decreased relative to 2019 as lower net realized selling prices were only partially offset by higher sales volumes and lower cost of goods sold per tonne.
  • Sales volumes increased in the fourth quarter and full year of 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 due to strong fertilizer sales in North America that more than offset lower global industrial demand. Total nitrogen sales in 2020 were the highest on record as a result of recent expansion projects and strong overall operating rates at our North American facilities.
  • Net realized selling price of nitrogen was lower in the fourth quarter and full year 2020 than the same periods in 2019 due to lower global and North American benchmark prices. Fourth quarter 2020 sales commitments were mostly made in the previous quarter, prior to more recent increases in benchmark prices.
  • Cost of goods sold per tonne decreased in the fourth quarter of 2020 as higher production volumes and lower depreciation and amortization per tonne more than offset the impact of higher natural gas costs. Cost of goods sold per tonne in 2020 decreased compared to 2019 due to lower natural gas costs and lower fixed costs, more than offsetting an increase in depreciation and amortization. Ammonia controllable cash cost of product manufactured per tonne declined in the fourth quarter due to increased production volumes, as the comparable period was impacted by turnaround activity at our Trinidad facility.

Natural Gas Prices in Cost of Production

 

Three Months Ended December 31

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31

(US dollars per MMBtu, except as otherwise noted)

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

 

2020

 

2019

 

% Change

Overall gas cost excluding realized derivative impact

2.71

 

2.46

 

10

 

2.31

 

2.47

 

(6)

Realized derivative impact

0.03

 

0.06

 

(50)

 

0.05

 

0.11

 

(55)

Overall gas cost

2.74

 

2.52

 

9

 

2.36

 

2.58

 

(9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average NYMEX

2.66

 

2.50

 

6

 

2.08

 

2.63

 

(21)

Average AECO

2.10

 

1.76

 

19

 

1.68

 

1.22

 

38

  • Gas prices in our cost of production increased in the fourth quarter of 2020 relative to the same period last year, tracking benchmark prices. Lower US gas prices and a lower realized derivative impact in 2020 more than offset higher Canadian gas prices compared to the same period in 2019.

Phosphate

 

Three Months Ended December 31

(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

180

 

155

 

16

 

466

 

466

 

-

 

387

 

334

 

16

Industrial and feed

100

 

105

 

(5)

 

182

 

181

 

1

 

551

 

581

 

(5)

 

280

 

260

 

8

 

648

 

647

 

-

 

433

 

403

 

7

Cost of goods sold

265

 

255

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

410

 

395

 

4

Gross margin - manufactured

15

 

5

 

200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

8

 

188

Gross margin - other 1

1

 

1

 

-

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

60

 

88

 

(32)

Gross margin - total

16

 

6

 

167

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization - manufactured

 

 

 

 

 

(Income) Expenses

(8)

 

9

 

n/m

 

83

 

96

 

(14)

EBIT

24

 

(3)

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

39

 

57

 

(32)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

63

 

54

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

-

 

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

63

 

54

 

17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 Includes other phosphate and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $40 million (2019 - $27 million) less cost of goods sold of $39 million (2019 - $26 million).

 

Twelve Months Ended December 31

(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

671

 

790

 

(15)

 

2,048

 

2,130

 

(4)

 

328

 

371

 

(12)

Industrial and feed

404

 

426

 

(5)

 

733

 

759

 

(3)

 

552

 

561

 

(2)

 

1,075

 

1,216

 

(12)

 

2,781

 

2,889

 

(4)

 

387

 

421

 

(8)

Cost of goods sold

1,044

 

1,218

 

(14)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

376

 

422

 

(11)

Gross margin - manufactured

31

 

(2)

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

(1)

 

n/m

Gross margin - other 1

5

 

(3)

 

n/m

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

78

 

82

 

(5)

Gross margin - total

36

 

(5)

 

n/m

 

Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization - manufactured

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

791

 

38

 

n/m

 

89

 

81

 

10

EBIT

(755)

 

(43)

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

218

 

237

 

(8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

(537)

 

194

 

n/m

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Impairment of assets

769

 

-

 

n/m

 

 

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FAQ

What were Nutrien's fourth quarter earnings for 2020?

Nutrien reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $316 million.

What is Nutrien's dividend increase announced in the latest report?

Nutrien raised its quarterly dividend to $0.46 per share.

What is Nutrien's financial guidance for adjusted earnings per share in 2021?

Nutrien's guidance for adjusted earnings per share in 2021 is $2.05 to $2.75.

Did Nutrien announce any share buyback programs?

Yes, Nutrien announced a share buyback program to repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding shares.

What was the adjusted EBITDA for Nutrien's Retail Ag Solutions in Q4 2020?

Retail Ag Solutions achieved a 29% increase in adjusted EBITDA compared to Q4 2019.

Nutrien Ltd. Common Shares

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Agricultural Inputs
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