Strong Execution and Improved Market Conditions Set up 2021 and Beyond
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.
- 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.
- 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
“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 t o$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
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 |
|
|
$ |
155 |
|
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
260 |
|
$ |
0.35 |
|
|
$ |
47 |
|
$ |
0.06 |
|
|
$ |
82 |
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
2021 FX Rate CAD to USD |
|
1.29 |
|
|||
2021 NYMEX natural gas ($US/MMBtu) |
|
|
|
|||
1 See the “Forward-Looking Statements” section.
|
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.
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
-
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 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 –
2 Includes provincial mining and other taxes of |
- 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
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 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 |
|
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 |
|
|
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"name": "Strong Execution and Improved Market Conditions Set up 2021 and Beyond FAQs",
"mainEntity": [
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What were Nutrien's fourth quarter earnings for 2020?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Nutrien reported fourth-quarter net earnings of $316 million."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is Nutrien's dividend increase announced in the latest report?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Nutrien raised its quarterly dividend to $0.46 per share."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is Nutrien's financial guidance for adjusted earnings per share in 2021?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Nutrien's guidance for adjusted earnings per share in 2021 is $2.05 to $2.75."
}
},
{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Did Nutrien announce any share buyback programs?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Yes, Nutrien announced a share buyback program to repurchase up to 5% of its outstanding shares."
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{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What was the adjusted EBITDA for Nutrien's Retail Ag Solutions in Q4 2020?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
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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
NYSE:NTRNTR RankingsNTR Latest NewsNov 6, 2024
Nutrien Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results
NTR Stock Data
23.14B
493.24M
0.03%
72.23%
0.85%
Agricultural Inputs
Basic Materials
United States of America
Saskatoon
|