Agrium Announces Third Quarter Results and Dividend Increase
(firmenpresse) - CALGARY, ALBERTA -- (Marketwired) -- 11/03/14 -- ALL AMOUNTS ARE STATED IN U.S.$
Agrium Inc. (TSX: AGU) (NYSE: AGU) announced today consolidated net earnings ("net earnings") from continuing operations of $91-million ($0.63 diluted earnings per share) for the third quarter of 2014, compared with net earnings from continuing operations of $80-million in the third quarter of 2013 ($0.54 diluted earnings per share).
The 2014 third quarter results included pre-tax share-based payments expense and net losses on foreign exchange and derivative positions of $31-million ($0.17 diluted earnings per share) as well as a one-time recognition of a previously unrecognized tax benefit of $29-million ($0.20 diluted earnings per share). Excluding these items, net earnings from continuing operations would have been $87-million ($0.60 diluted earnings per share).(1)
Agrium''s Board of Directors also announced today its intention to increase Agrium''s dividend by four percent, or $0.12 U.S. per common share to a total dividend of $3.12 U.S. per common share on an annualized basis. Based on the closing price of Agrium''s shares on the NYSE on Friday, October 31, 2014, this represents a dividend yield of 3.2 percent. The increased dividend is expected to be paid in quarterly installments of $0.78 U.S. and the next $0.78 U.S. per common share dividend will be paid on January 21, 2015 to shareholders of record on December 31, 2014.
"Agrium''s business once again proved resilient delivering solid results this quarter despite challenging agricultural market conditions. Near perfect growing conditions across the U.S., combined with low crop prices, reduced demand for some crop protection products. Wholesale achieved strong performance this quarter from our phosphate and nitrogen businesses; however results in the second half of this year have been impacted by major planned turnarounds at our Vanscoy potash and Redwater nitrogen facilities. These projects will complete essential work to further strengthen Agrium''s competitive position and deliver significant additional free cash flow in the coming years," commented Chuck Magro, Agrium''s President and CEO.
"The further increase in our dividend is a demonstration of our confidence in our strategy, and our commitment to shareholder returns. We are confident of our ability to generate significant cash flow in the future and we maintain a positive long-term outlook for the agriculture industry," added Agrium''s President and CEO, Chuck Magro.
Agrium is providing guidance for the fourth quarter of 2014 of $0.45 to $0.75 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations. This excludes net gains or losses on foreign exchange and derivative positions and share-based payments expenses or recoveries.(2)
MANAGEMENT''S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
November 3, 2014
Unless otherwise noted, all financial information in this Management''s Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") is prepared using accounting policies in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and is presented in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 - Interim Financial Reporting. All comparisons of results for the third quarter of 2014 (three months ended September 30, 2014) and for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are against results for the third quarter of 2013 (three months ended September 30, 2013) and the nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively. All dollar amounts refer to United States ("U.S.") dollars except where otherwise stated. The financial measures EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Retail operating coverage ratio used in this MD&A are not prescribed by IFRS, or in the case of EBIT, is an Additional IFRS financial measure. Such measures are defined in the "Additional IFRS and Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.
The following interim MD&A is as of November 3, 2014 and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 (the "Consolidated Financial Statements"), and the annual MD&A and financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2013 included in our 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders to which readers are referred. The Board of Directors 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 publication, approves this disclosure, pursuant to the authority delegated to it by the Board of Directors. No update is provided to the disclosure in our annual MD&A where an item is not material or there has been no material change from the discussion in our annual MD&A. In respect of Forward-Looking Statements, please refer to the section entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" after the "Market Outlook" section of this MD&A.
The major assumptions made in preparing our fourth quarter guidance are outlined below:
2014 Third Quarter Operating Results
CONSOLIDATED NET EARNINGS
Agrium''s 2014 third quarter net earnings from continuing operations were $91-million, or $0.63 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, compared to net earnings from continuing operations of $80-million, or $0.54 diluted earnings per share from continuing operations, for the same quarter of 2013.
Sales increased by $124-million and $477-million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014 compared to the same periods last year. Factors that affected our performance include the following:
Expenses
Excluding the effects of share-based payments, general and administrative expense decreased by $8-million and $27-million in the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively. The increase in share-based payments expense to $10-million for the third quarter and $25-million for the first nine months of 2014 compared to recoveries of $21-million and $35-million for the three months and first nine months of 2013, respectively, was primarily the result of our share performance improving relative to our peers.
As a percentage of sales, selling expense remained consistent for the first nine months of 2014 when compared to the same period last year and increased slightly by 1 percent in the third quarter of 2014. This was due to increased costs from the inclusion of results from Viterra retail centers in Western Canada.
Overall, expenses increased by $75-million and $181-million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2014, respectively, compared to the same periods last year.
Effective Tax Rate
The effective tax rate on continuing operations, excluding the recognition of a previously unrecognized tax benefit of $29-million, was 18 percent for the third quarter compared to 27 percent for the same period last year due to lower earnings in higher taxed jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2014 excluding the $29-million tax benefit was comparable to the same period last year at 27 percent.
BUSINESS SEGMENT PERFORMANCE
Retail
Retail''s 2014 third quarter sales were $2.3-billion, a 9 percent increase compared to sales of $2.1-billion for the same period last year. Total gross profit was $542-million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to the $511-million achieved in the third quarter of 2013. The record results in sales and gross profit for the third quarter were primarily due to the contribution from the acquired Viterra agri-retail operations, which closed in the fourth quarter of 2013. Retail reported EBITDA of $130-million in the third quarter of 2014, a decrease of $17-million compared to the third quarter of last year. The slight reduction in U.S. EBITDA was due to lower year-over-year demand for crop protection products due to near perfect growing conditions across the U.S. limiting crop disease and insect pressure as well as lower planted corn acreage and prices. The results from the acquired Viterra agri-retail operations added incremental gross profit this quarter and surpassed expected earnings contribution for the year-to-date. However, the Viterra results reflected a loss in EBITDA of $6-million this quarter, which is a typical reflection of the historical earnings cycle for Canadian retail.
Crop nutrient sales were $646-million this quarter, compared to $654-million in the third quarter of 2013. The decrease was due to lower global nutrient prices and U.S. volumes which were down 4 percent compared to the same period last year, due primarily to the late harvest. However, on a year-to-date basis U.S. nutrient demand was still slightly higher than in 2013. Gross profit for crop nutrients was $142-million this quarter compared to $116-million reported in the third quarter of 2013. Total crop nutrient margins as a percentage of sales were 22 percent in the third quarter of 2014, compared to 18 percent in the same period last year. The increase in per tonne nutrient margins from the third quarter of 2013 was due to higher rebates received from suppliers this quarter and a slight improvement in distribution costs due to improved North American logistics.
Crop protection sales were $1.1-billion in the third quarter of 2014, similar to the same period last year. Total crop protection gross profit this quarter was $232-million, compared to $248-million reported in the third quarter of 2013. The increase in sales was due to the addition of the Viterra operations, but was partly offset by lower volumes of glyphosates in the U.S. this year. Total crop protection margins as a percentage of sales were 20 percent this quarter, compared to 23 percent in the same period last year. The lower margin was mainly due to lower sales volumes of higher margin products such as fungicides and insecticides in the U.S., due to exceptionally good growing conditions this season and given that early season applications of herbicides produced better results than average this year. Margins were also impacted by the addition of the Viterra crop protection business which has lower margins than in the U.S. in the third quarter.
Seed sales were $54-million in the third quarter of 2014, a decrease from the $69-million achieved in the third quarter last year. Gross profit was $27-million this quarter compared to $30-million earned in the third quarter of 2013. The decrease in seed sales and gross profit was primarily attributed to decreased sales volumes in the U.S. stemming from the late harvest which in turn has lowered the expected double crop winter wheat acreage. Seed margins as a percentage of sales were 50 percent in the third quarter of 2014 supported by product mix and rebate factors. Year-to-date in 2014, seed margins were up 1 percent compared to the same period last year, primarily due to the inclusion of the former Viterra''s seed offering including the Proven seed brand name.
Merchandise sales in the third quarter of 2014 were $256-million, compared to $122-million in the same period last year. Gross profit for this product group was $36-million this quarter, up significantly from the $19-million reported in the third quarter of 2013. The increase in sales and gross profit is partly due to the addition of Viterra''s equipment business as well as stronger merchandise margins in the U.S. and Australia this quarter.
Services and other sales were $207-million this quarter, compared to the $205-million reported in the third quarter of 2013. Gross profit was $105-million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $98-million for the same period last year. The higher gross profit is attributed to improved margins from the livestock markets and other services in Australia. Services and other sales margins as a percentage of sales were 51 percent this quarter versus 48 percent in the same period last year.
Retail selling expenses for the third quarter of 2014 were $470-million, an increase of $54-million compared to the $416-million reported in the third quarter of last year. The increase was due to the addition of the Viterra business and the associated payroll and depreciation expenses. Total selling expenses as a percentage of sales increased to 20.5 percent in the third quarter of 2014, compared to 19.7 percent reported in the third quarter last year. The operating coverage ratio (rolling four quarters as of September 30, 2014) is 71 percent compared to 72 percent as of September 30, 2013.
Wholesale
Wholesale''s 2014 third quarter sales were $803-million, up from $786-million reported in the same quarter last year. Gross profit was $127-million this quarter, compared to $124-million in the third quarter of 2013. Wholesale Adjusted EBITDA was $171-million in the third quarter of 2014 compared to $144-million reported in the same period last year. The increase in Wholesale earnings was primarily the result of higher phosphate earnings offsetting the impact from the main host mechanical failure and planned tie-in of the one million tonne expansion project at the Vanscoy potash facility.
Nitrogen gross profit for the third quarter of 2014 was $77-million compared to $76-million in the same quarter last year. Nitrogen sales volumes were 735,000 tonnes, an increase from the 636,000 tonnes in the same quarter last year due to higher urea sales volumes, despite a planned outage at the Redwater facility. Realized sales prices for the major nitrogen products were similar to last year, although a higher proportion of urea and UAN sales volumes relative to ammonia resulted in the average nitrogen price of $438 per tonne this quarter being slightly lower than the $450 per tonne in the same period last year. Nitrogen cost of product sold was $333 per tonne this quarter in line with the $331 per tonne reported in the third quarter of 2013, despite higher gas prices. Average nitrogen gross margins were $105 per tonne this quarter, compared to $119 per tonne in the same period last year.
Agrium''s average natural gas cost included in cost of product sold (which includes transportation and administration costs) was $4.01/MMBtu this quarter ($4.00/MMBtu including the impact of realized gains on natural gas derivatives), compared to $2.78/MMBtu for the same period in 2013 ($3.16/MMBtu including the impact of realized losses on natural gas derivatives). Derivative gains or losses not designated as hedges are included in other expenses and not in cost of product sold, thus are not part of the calculation of gross profit. The average U.S. benchmark (NYMEX) natural gas price for the third quarter of 2014 was $4.07/MMBtu, compared to $3.60/MMBtu in the same quarter last year. The AECO (Alberta) basis differential was a $0.37/MMBtu discount to NYMEX in the third quarter of 2014, a decrease from the $0.91/MMBtu discount in the third quarter of 2013.
Potash gross profit for the third quarter of 2014 was $2-million, compared to $27-million reported in the same quarter last year. Sales volumes were 251,000 tonnes this quarter compared to 265,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2013, the decrease a result of lower volumes of domestic product being available for sale due to a the advanced planned expansion tie-in at the Vanscoy facility. Realized sales prices for potash were $313 per tonne compared to $349 per tonne in the same period last year, as a result of proportionately greater volumes of international product sold in the period and lower international prices. Potash cost of product sold was $304 per tonne this quarter, an increase from the $246 per tonne reported in the same period last year. Gross margin was $9 per tonne for the third quarter of 2014, compared to $103 per tonne realized during the same quarter in 2013.
Phosphate gross profit was $31-million in the third quarter of 2014, compared to $7-million in the same quarter last year. Phosphate sales volumes were 261,000 tonnes in the third quarter of 2014, a 36 percent increase from 192,000 tonnes in the same quarter last year as capacity utilization improved at the Redwater facility. Realized phosphate sales prices were $663 per tonne this quarter compared to $633 per tonne in the same period last year. Phosphate cost of product sold was $546 per tonne in the third quarter of 2014, a decrease of $49 per tonne compared to last year as a result of improved manufacturing efficiency from imported rock at the Redwater facility and lower fixed costs. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2014 was $117 per tonne compared to $38 per tonne in the same period last year.
Wholesale expenses in the third quarter of 2014 were $27-million compared to $37-million in the same period last year. The decrease is a result of lower general and administrative and other expenses during the quarter related to ongoing operational improvements.
Other
EBITDA for our Other non-operating business unit for the third quarter of 2014 was a loss of $40-million, compared to loss of $28-million for the third quarter of 2013. This was primarily the result of greater share-based payments expense of $31-million during the third quarter compared to the prior period resulting from the improvement in our share performance relative to our peers. The increase in share-based payments expense was partially offset by greater expenses in 2013 of $20-million related to impairment of Hanfeng, Viterra acquisition costs, and proxy defense costs.
EBITDA for Other in the first nine months of 2014 was a loss of $114-million, compared to a loss of $52-million for the first nine months of 2013. The change was comprised of:
FINANCIAL CONDITION
The following are changes to working capital on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2014 compared to December 31, 2013.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Summary of Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Below is a summary of our cash provided by or used in operating, investing, and financing activities as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
Analysis of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities decreased primarily due to greater working capital requirements resulting in greater payments during the year due to growth in the business and more inventory held at the end of 2013 to accommodate growth and to lock in pricing and supply. This is coupled with greater drawdowns of customer prepayments as customers take delivery of their products.
Cash used in investing activities during the nine months consisted of $1,517-million in capital expenditures, primarily for our Vanscoy potash facility expansion and Borger nitrogen expansion projects.
Cash was provided by financing activities through the issuance of short-term debt of $1,126-million, primarily under our commercial paper facility. Dividend payments were $323-million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
Our investing capital expenditures increased in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the first nine months of 2013 due to increased activity on the Vanscoy potash expansion and Borger Nitrogen facility projects amounting to $1,007-million and $256-million, respectively. We expect capital spending to approximate $2.15-billion in 2014.
Short-term Debt
Our short-term debt of $1,855-million at September 30, 2014 is summarized in note 5 of our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Our short-term debt increased by $653-million during the three months ended September 30, 2014, reducing our unutilized short-term financing capacity by the same amount.
OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA
Agrium had 143,716,009 outstanding shares at October 31, 2014. At that date, under our stock option plans, shares expected to be issued for options outstanding were negligible.
The agricultural products business is seasonal in nature. Consequently, comparisons made on a year-over-year basis are more appropriate than quarter-over-quarter comparisons. Crop input sales are primarily concentrated in the spring and fall crop input application seasons, which are in the second quarter and fourth quarter. Crop nutrient inventories are normally accumulated leading up to each application season. Our cash collections generally occur after the application season is complete.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In July 2014, Agrium completed the sale of the Turf and Ornamental portion of the assets held for sale for approximately $94-million. Refer to Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for further details.
ADDITIONAL IFRS AND NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES
Certain financial measures in this news release and MD&A are not prescribed by IFRS. We consider these financial measures discussed herein to provide useful information to both management and investors in measuring our financial performance and financial condition.
In general, an additional IFRS financial measure is a measure relevant to understanding a company''s financial performance that is not a minimum financial statement measure mandated by IFRS. A non-IFRS financial measure generally either excludes or includes amounts that are not excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial measures are not recognized measures under IFRS and our method of calculation may not be directly comparable to that of other companies. These non-IFRS measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The following table outlines our additional IFRS financial measures, their definitions and how management assesses each measure. As the measures set out below are presented in our consolidated financial statements included in this news release, they are classified as additional IFRS financial measures where they reflect consolidated Agrium, and are classified as non-IFRS financial measures where they do not reflect consolidated Agrium, including references to EBITDA when presented on an operating segment basis.
The following table outlines our non-IFRS financial measures, their definitions and usefulness, and how management assesses each measure.
RECONCILIATIONS OF ADDITIONAL IFRS AND NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING JUDGMENTS AND ESTIMATES
We prepare our financial statements in accordance with IFRS, which requires us to make assumptions and estimates about future events and apply significant judgments. We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on our historical experience, current trends and all available information that we believe is relevant at the time we prepare the financial statements. However, future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty. Accordingly, as confirming events occur, actual results could ultimately differ from our assumptions and estimates. Such differences could be material. For further information on the Company''s critical accounting judgments and estimates, refer to the section "Critical Accounting Judgments and Estimates" of our 2013 annual MD&A, which is contained in our 2013 Annual Report. Since the date of our 2013 annual MD&A, there have not been any significant changes to our critical accounting judgments and estimates.
CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The accounting policies applied in our Consolidated Financial Statements are the same as those applied in our audited annual financial statements in our 2013 Annual Report, with the exception of the adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and other accounting changes described in note 10 of our Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2014.
In May 2014, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) issued IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers which provides new requirements for recognizing revenue. Application is required for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Agrium is currently assessing the impact of IFRS 15 and the extent of impact has not yet been determined.
BUSINESS RISKS
The information presented on Enterprise Risk Management and Key Business Risks on pages 74 - 77 in our 2013 Annual Report and under the heading "Risk Factors" on pages 29 - 40 in our 2013 Annual Information Form has not changed materially since December 31, 2013.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PUBLIC SECURITIES FILINGS
Additional information about our Company, including our 2013 Annual Information Form is filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities through SEDAR at and with the U.S. securities regulatory authorities through EDGAR at .
MARKET OUTLOOK
Near ideal growing conditions this year contributed to the second consecutive year of record global grain yields. The past two crop years have delivered two of the top five trend-adjusted global grain yields on record, as well as the highest average deviation from trend over a two year time period. The United States Department of Agriculture ("USDA") projects record U.S. corn yields of 174 bushels per acre in 2014, which would exceed trend levels by a very wide margin. Record crop production has driven crop prices lower, which has squeezed growers'' margins globally.
In response to almost perfect growing conditions this season and tightened grower margins, North American growers reduced applications of fungicides and pesticides this summer. Looking over the next few months, growers may delay committing to their 2015 acreage mix longer than normal which could defer crop nutrient purchases. The delayed harvest in North America may also impact crop nutrient applications this fall, pushing demand into the spring season and heightening the risk that logistical constraints arise in early 2015. We do not expect a material change to nutrient application rates in 2014/15 in the U.S., but depressed crop prices may lead to a small reduction in overall acreage in 2015, which we expect could lead to a 1 to 3 percent decline in crop nutrient consumption in North America in the 2014/15 fertilizer year.
North American urea prices maintained a significant premium to import parity throughout the third quarter as the market reloaded after a very tight finish to the 2013/14 fertilizer year. As a result of the robust demand in North America relative to other global markets, U.S. offshore imports of urea were up an estimated 40 percent in the July through October 2014 period compared to relatively weak 2013 levels. Global urea prices are receiving support from the cost-based floor in China, particularly since export taxes increased as of November 1, 2014. In addition, nitrogen prices have received support from reduced production in important producing nations such as Ukraine, Trinidad, Algeria and Egypt. The supply reductions have propelled ammonia prices higher, with Tampa ammonia prices up 23 percent from August 2014 levels. Natural gas restrictions and production interruptions have become consistent drivers of the global nitrogen market, a trend we expect will continue into 2015. Potash producers have struggled to catch up to committed sales, and spot sales have been sufficient to keep the supply/demand balance tight. In late 2014, the focus is expected to shift to a new Chinese potash contract. Phosphate demand outside of India has been relatively slow, however, phosphate prices have been supported by higher ammonia and sulfur costs, as well as associated production cutbacks.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and other information included in this MD&A constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation or constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities legislation (collectively, the "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this MD&A other than those relating to historical information or current conditions, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements as to management''s expectations with respect to: fourth quarter earnings per share; future crop and crop input volumes, demand, margins, prices and sales; business and financial prospects; and other plans, strategies, objectives and expectations, including with respect to timing, costs and expected effect of the turnarounds at our Vanscoy potash and Redwater nitrogen facilities on our competitive position and our future cash flow, future operations of Agrium and the growth and stability of our earnings. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such 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 MD&A. Although Agrium believes that these assumptions are reasonable, 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. The additional key assumptions that have been made in connection with the forward-looking statements include Agrium''s ability to successfully integrate and realize the anticipated benefits of its already completed and future acquisitions.
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 economic, market and business conditions, weather conditions including impacts from regional flooding and/or drought conditions; crop yield and prices; the supply and demand and price levels for our major products; governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities, including changes in government policy, government ownership requirements, changes in environmental, tax and other laws or regulations and the interpretation thereof, and political risks, including civil unrest, actions by armed groups or conflict, as well as counterparty and sovereign risk; delays in completion of turnarounds at our major facilities; the risk that the Egyptian Misr Fertilizer Production Company nitrogen facility in Egypt may not be allowed to proceed with the completion of the two new facilities; the risk of additional capital expenditure cost escalation on our Vanscoy potash and Borger nitrogen expansion projects; and other risk factors detailed from time to time in Agrium reports filed with the Canadian securities regulators and the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States. Furthermore, the potential divestiture of the Direct Solutions business and any potential financial gains or losses resulting from the completion of the strategic review process may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
The purpose of our fourth quarter guidance for 2014 is to assist readers in understanding our expected and targeted financial results, and this information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Agrium disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this MD&A as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable U.S. federal securities laws or applicable Canadian securities legislation.
OTHER
Agrium Inc. is a major Retail supplier of agricultural products and services in North America, South America and Australia and a leading global Wholesale producer and marketer of all three major agricultural nutrients in North America. Agrium''s strategy is to provide the crop inputs and services needed to feed a growing world. We focus on maximizing shareholder returns by driving continuous improvements to our base businesses, pursuing value-added growth opportunities across the crop input value chain and returning capital to shareholders.
A WEBSITE SIMULCAST of the 2014 3rd Quarter Conference Call will be available in a listen-only mode beginning Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 9:30 a.m. MST (11:30 a.m. EST). Please visit the following website: .
1. Corporate Information
Corporate information
Agrium Inc. ("Agrium") is incorporated under the laws of Canada with common shares listed under the symbol "AGU" on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Our Corporate head office is located at 13131 Lake Fraser Drive S.E., Calgary, Canada. We conduct our operations globally from our Wholesale head office in Calgary and our Retail head office in Loveland, Colorado, United States. In these financial statements, "we", "us", "our" and "Agrium" mean Agrium Inc., its subsidiaries and joint arrangements.
Agrium operates two core strategic business units:
Additional information on our operating segments is included in note 8.
Seasonality in our business results from increased demand for our products during planting seasons. Sales are generally higher in spring and fall.
Basis of preparation and statement of compliance
These consolidated interim financial statements ("interim financial statements") were approved for issuance by the Audit Committee on November 3, 2014. We prepared these interim financial statements in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting. These statements do not include all information and disclosures normally provided in annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our audited annual financial statements and related notes contained in our 2013 Annual Report, available at .
The accounting policies applied in these interim financial statements are the same as those applied in our audited annual financial statements in our 2013 Annual Report, with the exception of the adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and other accounting changes described in note 10 to our consolidated interim financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
In May 2014, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued new requirements for recognizing revenue under both IFRS and US GAAP. Application is required for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Agrium is currently assessing the impact of IFRS 15 and the extent of the impact has not yet been determined.
2. Discontinued Operations, Assets and Liabilities Held for Sale
Assets and liabilities held for sale and related discontinued operations consist of components of our former Advanced Technologies business unit. In July 2014, we completed the sale of the Turf and Ornamental portion of the assets held for sale for $94-million. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and final purchase price adjustments.
Commodity price risk management and cash flow hedges
Natural gas is a significant component of our cost of product sold for nitrogen-based fertilizers. We use physical contracts and financial forward contracts to manage the risk of market fluctuations in natural gas prices and to reduce the variability of cash flows from our planned purchases of natural gas used in our fertilizer production facilities. Our Board of Directors has established limits on risk management activities, including the following:
On April 1, 2014, we designated natural gas forward contracts as hedges of highly probable purchases of natural gas. The contracts settle in the months hedged, using AECO futures price indexes, which we use to determine fair value. The contracts are denominated in Canadian dollars for purchases of gas in Canadian dollars. We forecast that the contracted purchases and related delivery of natural gas will occur beginning November 2015 until October 2018. At the inception of each designated forward contract, we prepare formal designation and documentation of the hedging relationship and our risk management objective and strategy for undertaking the hedge. Documentation includes identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item, the nature of the risk being hedged and how we will assess whether the hedging relationship meets the hedge effectiveness requirements, including our analysis of the sources of hedge ineffectiveness and how we determine the hedge ratio. For derivatives designated as hedges, we record the effective portion of changes in fair value to other comprehensive income. We record any ineffective portion to earnings.
The underlying risk of the forward contracts is identical to the hedged risk, and accordingly we have established a ratio of 1:1 for all natural gas hedges. Due to a strong correlation between AECO future contract prices and our delivered cost, we did not experience any ineffectiveness on our hedges, and accordingly we have recorded the full change in the fair value of the natural gas forward contracts designated as hedges to other comprehensive income.
We use quoted market prices from AECO to determine the fair value of natural gas derivatives. If these market prices are adjusted by a forward yield curve, we classify the fair value of the financial instruments within Level 2.
Foreign currency risk
There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements in the three or nine months ended September 30, 2014 or September 30, 2013. We do not measure any of our financial instruments using Level 3 inputs.
7. Additional Information
Property, plant and equipment
During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we added $1,007-million to assets under construction at our Vanscoy Potash facility and $256-million to assets under construction at our Borger Nitrogen facility.
Contacts:
Investor/Media Relations:
Agrium Inc.
Richard Downey
Vice President, Investor & Corporate Relations
(403) 225-7357
Agrium Inc.
Todd Coakwell
Director, Investor Relations
(403) 225-7437
Agrium Inc.
Louis Brown
Analyst, Investor Relations
(403) 225-7761
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