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CF Industries Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2017 March (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
 
 
x
 
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017
OR
o
 
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                               to                              
Commission file number 001-32597
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 (State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
20-2697511
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
4 Parkway North, Suite 400
Deerfield, Illinois
 (Address of principal executive offices)
 
60015
 (Zip Code)
(847) 405-2400
 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x  No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x    No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer x
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non-accelerated filer o
 (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
Emerging growth company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o    No x
233,184,609 shares of the registrant's common stock, $0.01 par value per share, were outstanding at April 28, 2017.
 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



Table of Contents

CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 
Three months ended 
 March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales
$
1,037

 
$
1,004

Cost of sales
931

 
787

Gross margin
106

 
217

Selling, general and administrative expenses
46

 
45

Transaction costs

 
14

Other operating—net
6

 
61

Total other operating costs and expenses
52

 
120

Equity in earnings of operating affiliates
3

 

Operating earnings
57

 
97

Interest expense
80

 
38

Interest income
(1
)
 
(1
)
Other non-operating—net

 
(2
)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes
(22
)
 
62

Income tax (benefit) provision
(13
)
 
15

Net (loss) earnings
(9
)
 
47

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
14

 
21

Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders
$
(23
)
 
$
26

Net (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
 

 
 

Basic
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.11

Diluted
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.11

Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
 

 
 

Basic
233.1

 
233.2

Diluted
233.1

 
233.5

Dividends declared per common share
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.


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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)

 
Three months ended 
 March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions)
Net (loss) earnings
$
(9
)
 
$
47

Other comprehensive income:
 

 
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment—net of taxes
20

 
48

 
20

 
48

Comprehensive income
11

 
95

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
14

 
21

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders
$
(3
)
 
$
74

   
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.


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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in millions, except share
and per share amounts)
Assets
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,312

 
$
1,164

Restricted cash
4

 
5

Accounts receivable—net
252

 
236

Inventories
364

 
339

Prepaid income taxes
844

 
841

Other current assets
29

 
70

Total current assets
2,805

 
2,655

Property, plant and equipment—net
9,552

 
9,652

Investments in affiliates
141

 
139

Goodwill
2,350

 
2,345

Other assets
337

 
340

Total assets
$
15,185

 
$
15,131

Liabilities and Equity
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
657

 
$
638

Income taxes payable

 
1

Customer advances
184

 
42

Other current liabilities
12

 
5

Total current liabilities
853

 
686

Long-term debt
5,780

 
5,778

Deferred income taxes
1,616

 
1,630

Other liabilities
553

 
545

Equity:
 

 
 

Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

Preferred stock—$0.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized

 

Common stock—$0.01 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 2017—233,222,350 shares issued and 2016—233,141,771 shares issued
2

 
2

Paid-in capital
1,384

 
1,380

Retained earnings
2,272

 
2,365

Treasury stock—at cost, 2017—37,741shares and 2016—27,602 shares
(1
)
 
(1
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(378
)
 
(398
)
Total stockholders' equity
3,279

 
3,348

Noncontrolling interests
3,104

 
3,144

Total equity
6,383

 
6,492

Total liabilities and equity
$
15,185

 
$
15,131

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
 
Common Stockholders
 
 
 
 
 
$0.01 Par
Value
Common
Stock
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Paid-In
Capital
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Balance as of December 31, 2015
$
2

 
$
(153
)
 
$
1,378

 
$
3,058

 
$
(250
)
 
$
4,035

 
$
352

 
$
4,387

Net earnings

 

 

 
26

 

 
26

 
21

 
47

Other comprehensive income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment—net of taxes

 

 

 

 
48

 
48

 

 
48

Comprehensive income
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
74

 
21

 
95

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 
3

 

 

 
3

 

 
3

Cash dividends ($0.30 per share)

 

 

 
(70
)
 

 
(70
)
 

 
(70
)
Issuance of noncontrolling interest in CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC (CFN)

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,792

 
2,792

Distributions declared to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 
(13
)
 
(13
)
Balance as of March 31, 2016
$
2

 
$
(153
)
 
$
1,381

 
$
3,014

 
$
(202
)
 
$
4,042

 
$
3,152

 
$
7,194

Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
2

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,380

 
$
2,365

 
$
(398
)
 
$
3,348

 
$
3,144

 
$
6,492

Net (loss) earnings

 

 

 
(23
)
 

 
(23
)
 
14

 
(9
)
Other comprehensive income:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Foreign currency translation adjustment—net of taxes

 

 

 

 
20

 
20

 

 
20

Comprehensive (loss) income
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
(3
)
 
14

 
11

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 
4

 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Cash dividends ($0.30 per share)

 

 

 
(70
)
 

 
(70
)
 

 
(70
)
Distributions declared to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 
(54
)
 
(54
)
Balance as of March 31, 2017
$
2

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,384

 
$
2,272

 
$
(378
)
 
$
3,279

 
$
3,104

 
$
6,383


See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 
Three months ended 
 March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions)
Operating Activities:
 

 
 

Net (loss) earnings
$
(9
)
 
$
47

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization
205

 
146

Deferred income taxes
(16
)
 
36

Stock-based compensation expense
4

 
4

Unrealized net loss on natural gas and foreign currency derivatives
53

 
18

Unrealized loss on embedded derivative
1

 

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
1

 
3

Undistributed earnings of affiliates—net of taxes
(5
)
 
(4
)
Changes in:
 

 
 

Accounts receivable—net
(9
)
 
4

Inventories
(15
)
 
16

Accrued and prepaid income taxes
(5
)
 
(23
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
5

 
(6
)
Customer advances
142

 
65

Other—net
4

 
40

Net cash provided by operating activities
356

 
346

Investing Activities:
 

 
 

Additions to property, plant and equipment
(94
)
 
(676
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
8

 
2

Withdrawals from restricted cash funds
1

 
11

Other—net

 
1

Net cash used in investing activities
(85
)
 
(662
)
Financing Activities:
 

 
 

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

 
150

Payments of short-term borrowings

 
(150
)
Dividends paid on common stock
(70
)
 
(70
)
Issuance of noncontrolling interest in CFN

 
2,800

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(54
)
 
(13
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(124
)
 
2,717

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
1

 
2

Increase in cash and cash equivalents
148

 
2,403

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,164

 
286

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,312

 
$
2,689

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.   Background and Basis of Presentation
We are one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of nitrogen fertilizer and other nitrogen products in the world. Our principal customers are cooperatives, independent fertilizer distributors, farmers and industrial users. Our principal nitrogen fertilizer products are ammonia, granular urea, urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN) and ammonium nitrate (AN). Our other nitrogen products include diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), urea liquor, nitric acid and aqua ammonia, which are sold primarily to our industrial customers, and compound fertilizer products (NPKs), which are solid granular fertilizer products for which the nutrient content is a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Our manufacturing and distribution facilities are concentrated in the midwestern United States and other major agricultural areas of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. We also export nitrogen fertilizer products from our Donaldsonville, Louisiana and Yazoo City, Mississippi manufacturing facilities, and our United Kingdom manufacturing facilities in Billingham and Ince.
All references to "CF Holdings," "the Company," "we," "us" and "our" refer to CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where the context makes clear that the reference is only to CF Industries Holdings, Inc. itself and not its subsidiaries. All references to "CF Industries" refer to CF Industries, Inc., a 100% owned subsidiary of CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial reporting. In the opinion of management, these statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal and recurring adjustments, that are necessary for the fair representation of the information for the periods presented. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Operating results for any period presented apply to that period only and are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.
The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and related disclosures included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017. The preparation of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements requires us to make use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses for the periods presented. Significant estimates and assumptions are used for, but are not limited to, net realizable value of inventories, environmental remediation liabilities, environmental and litigation contingencies, the cost of customer incentives, useful lives of property and identifiable intangible assets, the assumptions used in the evaluation of potential impairments of property, investments, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill, income tax and valuation reserves, allowances for doubtful accounts receivable, the measurement of the fair values of investments for which markets are not active, assumptions used in the determination of the funded status and annual expense of defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans and the assumptions used in the valuation of stock-based compensation awards granted to employees.


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2.   New Accounting Standards
Recently Adopted Pronouncement
On January 1, 2017, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. ASU No. 2015-11 changes the inventory measurement principle for entities using the first-in, first out (FIFO) or average cost methods. For entities utilizing one of these methods, the inventory measurement principle changed from lower of cost or market to the lower of cost and net realizable value. We follow the FIFO or average cost methods and the adoption of this ASU did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Recently Issued Pronouncements
In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which will change the presentation of net periodic benefit cost related to employer sponsored defined benefit plans and other postretirement benefits. Service cost will be included within the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period, while other components of net periodic benefit pension cost will be presented separately outside of operating income. Additionally, only service costs may be capitalized on the balance sheet. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The guidance will be applied retrospectively for the income statement classification requirements and prospectively for the capitalization guidance. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the provisions of this ASU will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, and should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted in the first interim period of an annual reporting period for which financial statements have not been issued. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes the lease accounting requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 840, Leases. This ASU will require lessees to recognize the rights and obligations resulting from virtually all leases (other than leases that meet the definition of a short-term lease) on their balance sheets as right-of-use (ROU) assets with corresponding lease liabilities. Extensive quantitative and qualitative disclosures, including significant judgments made by management, will be required to provide greater insight into the extent of income and expense recognized and expected to be recognized from existing contracts. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and requires the modified retrospective method of adoption. While we are continuing to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements, we currently believe the most significant change relates to the recognition of new ROU assets and lease liabilities on our balance sheet for operating leases for certain property and equipment, including rail car leases and barge tow charters for the distribution of fertilizer.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments. Additionally, the costs to obtain and fulfill a contract, including assets to be recognized, are to be capitalized and such capitalized costs should be disclosed. In 2016, the FASB issued additional ASUs that enhance the operability of the principal versus agent guidance in ASU No. 2014-09 by clarifying that an entity should consider the nature of each good or service promised to a customer at the individual good or service level, clarify that ASU No. 2014-09 should not be applied to immaterial performance obligations, and enhance the guidance around the treatment of shipping costs incurred to fulfill performance obligations. As modified by ASU No. 2015-14, Deferral of the Effective Date, the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 is for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We continue to analyze the impact of ASU No. 2014-09 on our revenue contracts by comparing the revenue recognition that would have occurred from applying this ASU to revenue contracts that existed in 2015 and 2016. We are also reviewing our accounting policies and disclosures to determine changes needed to comply with this ASU, as well as identifying changes to our business processes, systems, and controls needed to support adoption of this ASU.

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3.   Net Earnings Per Share
Net earnings per share were computed as follows:
 
Three months ended 
 March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders
$
(23
)
 
$
26

Basic earnings per common share:
 

 
 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding
233.1

 
233.2

Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.11

Diluted earnings per common share:
 

 
 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding
233.1

 
233.2

Dilutive common shares—stock options

 
0.3

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
233.1

 
233.5

Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.11

In the computation of diluted earnings per common share, potentially dilutive stock options are excluded if the effect of their inclusion is anti-dilutive. Shares for anti-dilutive stock options not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share were 6.6 million and 4.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
4.   Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in millions)
Finished goods
$
308

 
$
279

Raw materials, spare parts and supplies
56

 
60

Total inventories
$
364

 
$
339

5.   Property, Plant and Equipment—Net
Property, plant and equipment—net consists of the following:
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
(in millions)
Land
$
69

 
$
69

Machinery and equipment
11,768

 
11,664

Buildings and improvements
885

 
878

Construction in progress
265

 
280

Property, plant and equipment(1)
12,987

 
12,891

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
3,435

 
3,239

Property, plant and equipment—net
$
9,552

 
$
9,652

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1) 
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had property, plant and equipment that was accrued but unpaid of approximately$231 million and $225 million, respectively. These amounts included accruals related to our capacity expansion projects of $183 million and $185 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization related to property, plant and equipment was $197 million and $140 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

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Plant turnarounds—Scheduled inspections, replacements and overhauls of plant machinery and equipment at our continuous process manufacturing facilities during a full plant shutdown are referred to as plant turnarounds. The expenditures related to turnarounds are capitalized in property, plant and equipment when incurred. The following is a summary of capitalized plant turnaround costs:
 
Three months ended 
 March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions)
Net capitalized turnaround costs:
 

 
 

Beginning balance
$
206

 
$
220

Additions
59

 
10

Depreciation
(30
)
 
(22
)
Effect of exchange rate changes
1

 
3

Ending balance
$
236

 
$
211

Scheduled replacements and overhauls of plant machinery and equipment include the dismantling, repair or replacement and installation of various components including piping, valves, motors, turbines, pumps, compressors, heat exchangers and the replacement of catalysts when a full plant shutdown occurs. Scheduled inspections are also conducted during full plant shutdowns, including required safety inspections which entail the disassembly of various components such as steam boilers, pressure vessels and other equipment requiring safety certifications. Internal employee costs and overhead amounts are not considered turnaround costs and are not capitalized.
6.  Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The following table shows the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
Ammonia
 
Granular Urea
 
UAN
 
AN
 
Other
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
585

 
$
828

 
$
576

 
$
286

 
$
70

 
$
2,345

Effect of exchange rate changes
1

 

 

 
4

 

 
5

Balance as of March 31, 2017
$
586

 
$
828

 
$
576

 
$
290

 
$
70

 
$
2,350

All of our identifiable intangible assets have definite lives and are presented in other assets on our consolidated balance sheets at gross carrying amount, net of accumulated amortization, as follows:
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
 
(in millions)
Intangible assets:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Customer relationships
$
126

 
$
(25
)
 
$
101

 
$
125

 
$
(24
)
 
$
101

TerraCair brand
10

 
(10
)
 

 
10

 
(10
)
 

Trade names
29

 
(2
)
 
27

 
29

 
(2
)
 
27

Total intangible assets
$
165

 
$
(37
)
 
$
128

 
$
164

 
$
(36
)
 
$
128

Amortization expense of our identifiable intangible assets for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $2 million.

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Total estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2017 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:
 
Estimated
Amortization
Expense
 
(in millions)
Remainder of 2017
$
6

2018
8

2019
8

2020
8

2021
8

2022
8

7.  Equity Method Investments
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we have a 50% ownership interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited (PLNL), which operates an ammonia production facility in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. We include our share of the net earnings from this equity method investment as an element of earnings from operations because PLNL provides additional production to our operations and is integrated with our other supply chain and sales activities in the ammonia segment.
As of March 31, 2017, the total carrying value of our equity method investment in PLNL of approximately $141 million was $66 million more than our share of PLNL's book value. The excess is attributable to the purchase accounting impact of our acquisition of the investment in PLNL and primarily reflects the revaluation of property, plant and equipment and the value of an exclusive natural gas contract. The increased basis for property, plant and equipment and the gas contract are being amortized over a remaining period of approximately 16 years and 1 year, respectively. Our equity in earnings of PLNL is different from our ownership interest in income reported by PLNL due to amortization of these basis differences.
We have transactions in the normal course of business with PLNL reflecting our obligation to purchase 50% of the ammonia produced by PLNL at current market prices. Our ammonia purchases from PLNL totaled $20 million and $16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
In the fourth quarter of 2016, we determined the carrying value of our investment in PLNL exceeded fair value and recognized an impairment charge of $134 million. See Note 8—Fair Value Measurements for additional information.
8.  Fair Value Measurements
Our cash and cash equivalents and other investments consist of the following:
 
March 31, 2017
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in millions)
Cash
$
76

 
$

 
$

 
$
76

Cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. and Canadian government obligations
1,211

 

 

 
1,211

Other debt securities
25

 

 

 
25

Total cash and cash equivalents
$
1,312

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,312

Restricted cash
4

 

 

 
4

Nonqualified employee benefit trusts
18

 
1

 

 
19


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December 31, 2016
 
Cost Basis
 
Unrealized
Gains
 
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair Value
 
(in millions)
Cash
$
89

 
$

 
$

 
$
89

Cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. and Canadian government obligations
1,075

 

 

 
1,075

Total cash and cash equivalents
$
1,164

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,164

Restricted cash
5

 

 

 
5

Nonqualified employee benefit trusts
18

 
1

 

 
19

Under our short-term investment policy, we may invest our cash balances, either directly or through mutual funds, in several types of investment-grade securities, including notes and bonds issued by governmental entities or corporations. Securities issued by governmental entities include those issued directly by the Federal government; those issued by state, local or other governmental entities; and those guaranteed by entities affiliated with governmental entities.
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The following tables present assets and liabilities included in our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicate the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine such fair value:
 
March 31, 2017
 
Total Fair
Value
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(in millions)
Cash equivalents
$
1,236

 
$
1,236

 
$

 
$

Restricted cash
4

 
4

 

 

Nonqualified employee benefit trusts
19

 
19

 

 

Derivative assets
10

 

 
10

 

Derivative liabilities
(13
)
 

 
(13
)
 

Embedded derivative liability
(27
)
 

 
(27
)
 

 
December 31, 2016
 
Total Fair
Value
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(in millions)
Cash equivalents
$
1,075

 
$
1,075

 
$

 
$

Restricted cash
5

 
5

 

 

Nonqualified employee benefit trusts
19

 
19

 

 

Derivative assets
56

 

 
56

 

Derivative liabilities
(6
)
 

 
(6
)
 

Embedded derivative liability
(26
)
 

 
(26
)
 

Cash Equivalents
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our cash equivalents consisted primarily of U.S. and Canadian government obligations and money market mutual funds that invest in U.S. government obligations and other investment-grade securities.

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Restricted Cash
We maintain a cash account for which the use of the funds is restricted. The restricted cash was put in place to satisfy certain requirements included in our engineering and procurement services contract for our capacity expansion projects. Under the terms of this contract, we were required to grant an affiliate of ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions a security interest in a restricted cash account and maintain a cash balance in that account equal to the cancellation fees for procurement services and equipment that would arise if we were to cancel the projects.
Nonqualified Employee Benefit Trusts
We maintain trusts associated with certain nonqualified supplemental pension plans. The investments are accounted for as available-for-sale securities. The fair values of the trust assets are based on daily quoted prices in an active market, which represents the net asset values of the shares held in the trusts. These trusts are included on our consolidated balance sheets in other assets.
Derivative Instruments
The derivative instruments that we use are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps and natural gas options traded in the over-the-counter (OTC) markets with multi-national commercial banks, other major financial institutions or large energy companies. The natural gas derivative contracts represent anticipated natural gas needs for future periods and settlements are scheduled to coincide with anticipated natural gas purchases during those future periods. The natural gas derivative contracts settle using primarily NYMEX futures prices. To determine the fair value of these instruments, we use quoted market prices from NYMEX and standard pricing models with inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data such as forward curves supplied by an industry-recognized independent third party. See Note 12—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.
Embedded Derivative Liability
Under the terms of our strategic venture with CHS Inc. (CHS), if our credit rating is reduced below certain levels by two of three specified credit ratings agencies, we are required to make a non-refundable yearly payment of $5 million to CHS. In the fourth quarter of 2016, as a result of a reduction in our credit rating, we made a $5 million payment to CHS. The payment will continue on a yearly basis until the earlier of the date that our credit rating is upgraded to or above certain levels by two of the three specified credit ratings agencies or February 1, 2026. This term of the strategic venture is recognized on our consolidated balance sheet as an embedded derivative. See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interests for additional information regarding our strategic venture with CHS.
During the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recorded an adjustment to adjust the value of the embedded derivative liability by $1 million to $27 million. The inputs into the fair value measurement include the probability of future upgrades and downgrades of our credit rating based on historical credit rating movements of other public companies and the discount rates to be applied to potential annual payments based on applicable credit spreads of other public companies at different credit rating levels. Based on these inputs, our fair value measurement is classified as Level 2. The $1 million charge to reflect the change in fair value is included in other operating—net in our consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the embedded derivative liability of $27 million and $26 million, respectively, is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets.
Financial Instruments
The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our financial instruments are as follows:
 
March 31, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair Value
 
(in millions)
Long-term debt
$
5,780

 
$
5,673

 
$
5,778

 
$
5,506

The fair value of our long-term debt was based on quoted prices for identical or similar liabilities in markets that are not active or valuation models in which all significant inputs and value drivers are observable and, as a result, they are classified as Level 2 inputs.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, as well as instruments included in other current assets and other current liabilities that meet the definition of financial instruments, approximate fair values because of their short-term maturities.

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Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
We also have assets and liabilities that may be measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence of impairment, allocation of purchase price in an acquisition or when a new liability is being established that requires fair value measurement. These include long-lived assets, goodwill and other intangible assets and investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries which may be written down to fair value as a result of impairment. The fair value measurements related to each of these rely primarily on Company-specific inputs and the Company's assumptions about the use of the assets. Since certain of the Company’s assumptions would involve inputs that are not observable, these fair values would reside within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Our equity method investment in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, PLNL, operates an ammonia plant that relies on natural gas supplied, under a Gas Sales Contract (the NGC Contract), by The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC). See Note 7—Equity Method Investments for additional information. PLNL has experienced curtailments in the supply of natural gas from NGC, which have reduced the ammonia production at PLNL. In 2016, NGC communicated to PLNL that it does not recognize PLNL's exercise of its option to renew the NGC Contract for an additional five-year term beyond its current termination date in September 2018, and that any NGC commitment to supply gas beyond 2018 will need to be based on new agreements regarding volume and price. PLNL has initiated arbitration proceedings against NGC and asserted claims in connection with NGC’s failure to supply the contracted quantities of natural gas, and its refusal to recognize PLNL’s exercise of its option to extend the NGC Contract. PLNL is seeking declaratory and injunctive relief, as well as damages for past and ongoing curtailments. Although PLNL believes its claims against NGC to be meritorious, it is not possible to predict the outcome of the arbitration. There are significant assumptions in the future operations of the joint venture that are uncertain at this time, including the quantities of gas NGC will make available, the cost of such gas, the estimates that are used to determine the useful lives of fixed assets and the assumptions in the discounted cash flow models utilized for recoverability and impairment testing. As part of our impairment assessment of our equity method investment in PLNL during the fourth quarter of 2016, we determined the carrying value exceeded the fair value and recognized a $134 million impairment charge in 2016. The carrying value of our equity method investment in PLNL at March 31, 2017 is approximately $141 million. If NGC does not make sufficient quantities of natural gas available to PLNL at prices that permit profitable operations, PLNL may cease operating its facility and we would write off the remaining investment in PLNL.
9.   Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recorded an income tax benefit of $13 million on a pre-tax loss of $22 million, or an effective tax rate of 59.2%, compared to an income tax provision of $15 million on pre-tax income of $62 million, or an effective tax rate of 24.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Our effective tax rate in both periods is impacted by earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in CF Industries Nitrogen LLC (CFN) and Terra Nitrogen Company L.P. (TNCLP), as our consolidated income tax (benefit) provision does not include a tax provision on the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests. As a result, in the first quarter of 2017, earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests of $14 million, which is included in the pre-tax loss, has the effect of increasing the effective tax rate, and, in the first quarter of 2016, earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests of $21 million, which is included in pre-tax income, has the effect of reducing the effective tax rate. See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interests for additional information.
During the third quarter of 2016, one of our Canadian subsidiaries received a Notice of Reassessment from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) for tax years 2006 through 2009 asserting a disallowance of certain patronage allocations. The tax assessment of CAD $116 million (or approximately $87 million), excluding any interest or penalties and provincial taxes which have not yet been reassessed, is the result of an audit that was initiated by the CRA in January 2010 and involves the sole issue of whether certain patronage allocations meet the requirements for deductibility under the Income Tax Act of Canada. The reassessment has been appealed and a letter of credit in the amount of CAD $87 million (or approximately $65 million) has been posted. We believe that it is more likely than not that the patronage allocation deduction will ultimately be sustained. In the event that we do not prevail in the appeal, we should be entitled to a U.S. foreign tax credit against any incremental Canadian tax paid. The competent authorities of Canada and the United States have been notified of the potential need for competent authority assistance.
As of March 31, 2017, we have prepaid income taxes in the amount of $844 million. This includes approximately $816 million from the carryback of certain U.S. tax losses from 2016 to prior tax periods.

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10.   Interest Expense
Details of interest expense are as follows:
 
Three months ended 
 March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
(in millions)
Interest on borrowings(1)
$
76

 
$
76

Fees on financing agreements(1)
4

 
4

Interest on tax liabilities
1

 
1

Interest capitalized(2)
(1
)
 
(43
)
Total interest expense
$
80

 
$
38

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1) 
See Note 11—Financing Agreements for additional information.
(2) 
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, amount includes interest capitalized for our capacity expansion projects, which were completed as of December 31, 2016.

11.  Financing Agreements
Revolving Credit Agreement
We have a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the Revolving Credit Agreement) providing for a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million with a maturity of September 18, 2020. The Revolving Credit Agreement includes a letter of credit sub-limit of $125 million. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. CF Industries may designate as borrowers one or more wholly owned subsidiaries that are organized in the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement may be denominated in dollars, Canadian dollars, euro and British pounds, and bear interest at a per annum rate equal to an applicable eurocurrency rate or base rate plus, in either case, a specified margin, and the borrowers are required to pay an undrawn commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Agreement and customary letter of credit fees. The specified margin and the amount of the commitment fee depend on CF Holdings’ credit rating at the time.
As of March 31, 2017, we had excess borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement of $695 million (net of outstanding letters of credit of $55 million). There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016, or during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Maximum borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $150 million with a weighted-average annual interest rate of 1.85%.
The Revolving Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants. As of March 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Letters of Credit
In addition to the letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement, as described above, we have also entered into a bilateral agreement with capacity to issue letters of credit up to $75 million. As of March 31, 2017, approximately $68 million of letters of credit were outstanding under this agreement.


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Senior Notes
Long-term debt presented on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of the following Public Senior Notes (unsecured) and Senior Secured Notes:
 
Effective Interest Rate
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
Principal
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Principal
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Public Senior Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.875% due May 2018
7.344%
 
$
800

 
$
796

 
$
800

 
$
795

7.125% due May 2020
7.529%
 
800

 
791

 
800

 
791

3.450% due June 2023
3.562%
 
750

 
745

 
750

 
745

5.150% due March 2034
5.279%
 
750

 
739

 
750

 
739

4.950% due June 2043
5.031%
 
750

 
741

 
750

 
741

5.375% due March 2044
5.465%
 
750

 
741

 
750

 
741

Senior Secured Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.400% due December 2021
3.782%
 
500

 
492

 
500

 
491

4.500% due December 2026
4.759%
 
750

 
735

 
750

 
735

Total long-term debt
 
 
$
5,850

 
$
5,780

 
$
5,850

 
$
5,778

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) 
Carrying amount is net of unamortized debt discount and deferred debt issuance costs. Total unamortized debt discount was $12 million as of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and total deferred debt issuance costs were $58 million and $60 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. 
Public Senior Notes
Under the indentures (including the applicable supplemental indentures) governing the senior notes due 2018, 2020, 2023, 2034, 2043 and 2044 identified in the table above (the Public Senior Notes), each series of Public Senior Notes is guaranteed by CF Holdings, and, in connection with the effectiveness of the November 2016 amendment to our Revolving Credit Agreement, CF Holdings' wholly owned subsidiaries CF Industries Enterprises, Inc. (CFE) and CF Industries Sales, LLC (CFS) became subsidiary guarantors of the Public Senior Notes.
Interest on the Public Senior Notes is payable semiannually, and the Public Senior Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at specified make-whole redemption prices.
Senior Secured Notes
On November 21, 2016, CF Industries issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.400% senior secured notes due 2021 (the 2021 Notes) and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 4.500% senior secured notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes, and together with the 2021 Notes, the Senior Secured Notes). The net proceeds, after deducting discounts and offering expenses, from the issuance and sale of the Senior Secured Notes were approximately $1.23 billion. CF Industries used approximately $1.18 billion of the net proceeds for the prepayment (including payment of a make-whole amount of approximately $170 million and accrued interest) in full of the outstanding $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the senior notes due 2022, 2025 and 2027 (Private Senior Notes) issued by CF Industries on September 24, 2015.
Interest on the Senior Secured Notes is payable semiannually on December 1 and June 1 beginning on June 1, 2017, and the Senior Secured Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at specified make-whole redemption prices.
12.   Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates.
Commodity Price Risk Management

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Natural gas is the largest and most volatile component of the manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based products. We manage the risk of changes in natural gas prices primarily through the use of derivative financial instruments. The derivatives that we use for this purpose are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps and natural gas options traded in the OTC markets. These natural gas derivatives settle using primarily a NYMEX futures price index, which represents the basis for fair value at any given time. We enter into natural gas derivative contracts with respect to natural gas to be consumed by us in the future, and settlements of those derivative contracts are scheduled to coincide with our anticipated purchases of natural gas used to manufacture nitrogen products during those future periods. We use natural gas derivatives as an economic hedge of natural gas price risk, but without the application of hedge accounting. As a result, changes in fair value of these contracts are recognized in earnings. As of March 31, 2017, we have natural gas derivative contracts covering periods through the end of 2018.
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had open natural gas derivative contracts for 149.4 million MMBtus (millions of British thermal units) and 183.0 million MMBtus, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we used derivatives to cover approximately 42% of our natural gas consumption.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
A portion of the costs for our capacity expansion projects at our Donaldsonville, Louisiana complex and Port Neal, Iowa complex were euro-denominated. In order to manage our exposure to changes in the euro to U.S. dollar currency exchange rates, we hedged our projected euro-denominated payments through the end of 2016 using foreign currency forward contracts.
As of March 31, 2017, accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCL) includes $7 million of pre-tax gains related to foreign currency derivatives that were originally designated as cash flow hedges. The hedges were de-designated as of December 31, 2013. The remaining balance in AOCL is being reclassified into income over the depreciable lives of the property, plant and equipment associated with the capacity expansion projects.
The effect of derivatives in our consolidated statements of operations is shown in the table below.
 
Gain (loss) recognized in income
 
 
 
Three months ended 
 March 31,
Location
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
 
(in millions)
Natural gas derivatives
Cost of sales
 
$
(53
)
 
$
(21
)
Foreign exchange contracts
Other operating—net
 

 
3

Unrealized losses recognized in income
 
 
(53
)
 
(18
)
Realized gains (losses)
 
 
1

 
(56
)
Net derivative losses
 
 
$
(52
)
 
$
(74
)
The fair values of derivatives on our consolidated balance sheets are shown below. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, none of our derivative instruments were designated as hedging instruments. For additional information on derivative fair values, see Note 8—Fair Value Measurements.
 
Asset Derivatives
 
Liability Derivatives
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
Balance Sheet
Location
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
 
(in millions)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Natural gas derivatives
Other current assets
 
$
10

 
$
52

 
Other current liabilities
 
$
(5
)
 
$

Natural gas derivatives
Other assets
 

 
4

 
Other liabilities
 
(8
)
 
(6
)
Total derivatives
 
 
$
10

 
$
56

 
 
 
$
(13
)
 
$
(6
)
Most of our International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) agreements contain credit-risk-related contingent features such as cross default provisions and credit support thresholds. In the event of certain defaults or a credit ratings downgrade, our counterparty may request early termination and net settlement of certain derivative trades or may require us to collateralize derivatives in a net liability position. The Revolving Credit Agreement, at any time when it is secured, provides a cross collateral feature for those of our derivatives that are with counterparties that are party to, or affiliates of parties to, the Revolving Credit Agreement so that no separate collateral would be required for those counterparties in connection with such derivatives. In the event the Revolving Credit Agreement becomes unsecured, separate collateral could be required in connection with such derivatives. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the aggregate fair value of the derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features in net liability positions was $13 million and zero, respectively, which also approximates the fair value of the maximum amount of additional collateral that would need to be posted or assets needed

16

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to settle the obligations if the credit-risk-related contingent features were triggered at the reporting dates. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had no cash collateral on deposit with counterparties for derivative contracts. The credit support documents executed in connection with certain of our ISDA agreements generally provide us and our counterparties the right to set off collateral against amounts owing under the ISDA agreements upon the occurrence of a default or a specified termination event.
The following table presents amounts relevant to offsetting of our derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016:
 
Amounts
presented in
consolidated
balance
sheets(1)
 
Gross amounts not offset in consolidated balance sheets
 
 
 
 
Financial
instruments
 
Cash
collateral
received
(pledged)
 
Net
amount
 
(in millions)
March 31, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total derivative assets
$
10

 
$
10

 
$

 
$

Total derivative liabilities
(13
)
 
(10
)
 

 
(3
)
Net derivative liabilities
$
(3
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
(3
)
December 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Total derivative assets
$
56

 
$
6

 
$

 
$
50

Total derivative liabilities
(6
)
 
(6
)
 

 

Net derivative assets
$
50

 
$

 
$

 
$
50

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1) 
We report the fair values of our derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis on our consolidated balance sheets. As a result, the gross amounts recognized and net amounts presented are the same.
We do not believe the contractually allowed netting, close-out netting or setoff of amounts owed to, or due from, the counterparties to our ISDA agreements would have a material effect on our financial position.

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13.   Noncontrolling Interests
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of noncontrolling interests and distributions payable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated balance sheets is provided below.
 
Three months ended 
 March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
CFN
 
TNCLP
 
Total
 
CFN
 
TNCLP
 
Total
 
(in millions)
Noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Beginning balance
$
2,806

 
$
338

 
$
3,144

 
$

 
$
352

 
$
352

Issuance of noncontrolling interest in CFN

 

 

 
2,792

 

 
2,792

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
8

 
6

 
14

 
17

 
4

 
21

Declaration of distributions payable
(48
)
 
(6
)
 
(54
)
 

 
(13
)
 
(13
)
Ending balance
$
2,766

 
$
338

 
$
3,104

 
$
2,809

 
$
343

 
$
3,152

Distributions payable to noncontrolling interests:
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Beginning balance
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Declaration of distributions payable
48

 
6

 
54

 

 
13

 
13

Distributions to noncontrolling interests
(48
)
 
(6
)
 
(54
)
 

 
(13
)
 
(13
)
Ending balance
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC (CFN)
We commenced a strategic venture with CHS on February 1, 2016, at which time CHS purchased a minority equity interest in CFN, a subsidiary of CF Holdings, for $2.8 billion. For financial reporting purposes, the assets, liabilities and earnings of the strategic venture are consolidated into our financial statements. CHS' interest in the strategic venture is recorded in noncontrolling interests in our consolidated financial statements. On February 1, 2016, CHS also began receiving deliveries pursuant to a supply agreement under which CHS has the right to purchase annually from CFN up to approximately 1.1 million tons of granular urea and 580,000 tons of UAN at market prices. As a result of its minority equity interest in CFN, CHS is entitled to semi-annual cash distributions from CFN. We are also entitled to semi-annual cash distributions from CFN. The amounts of distributions from CFN to us and CHS are based generally on the profitability of CFN and determined based on the volume of granular urea and UAN sold by CFN to us and CHS pursuant to supply agreements, less a formula driven amount based primarily on the cost of natural gas used to produce the granular urea and UAN, and adjusted for the allocation of items such as operational efficiencies and overhead amounts.
Additionally, under the terms of the strategic venture, if our credit rating is reduced below certain levels by two of three specified credit rating agencies, we are required to make a non-refundable yearly payment of $5 million to CHS. In the fourth quarter of 2016, as a result of a reduction in our credit rating, we made a $5 million payment to CHS. The payment will continue on a yearly basis until the earlier of the date that our credit rating is upgraded to or above certain levels by two of the three specified credit rating agencies or February 1, 2026. On February 1, 2016, we recognized this term of the strategic venture as an embedded derivative and its value of $8 million was included in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the embedded derivative liability of $27 million and $26 million, respectively, is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. The $1 million charge to reflect the change in fair value for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is included in other operating—net in our consolidated statement of operations. See Note 8—Fair Value Measurements for additional information.
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. (TNCLP)
TNCLP is a master limited partnership (MLP) that owns a nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facility in Verdigris, Oklahoma. We own approximately 75.3% of TNCLP through general and limited partnership interests. Outside investors own the remaining approximately 24.7% of the limited partnership. For financial reporting purposes, the assets, liabilities and earnings of the partnership are consolidated into our financial statements. The outside investors' limited partnership interests in the partnership are recorded in noncontrolling interests in our consolidated financial statements. The noncontrolling interest represents the noncontrolling unitholders' interest in the earnings and equity of TNCLP. Affiliates of CF Industries are required to purchase all of TNCLP's fertilizer products at market prices as defined in the Amendment to the General and Administrative Services and Product Offtake Agreement, dated September 28, 2010.

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Table of Contents

TNCLP makes cash distributions to the general and limited partners based on formulas defined within its First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership (as amended, the TNCLP Agreement of Limited Partnership). Cash available for distribution (Available Cash) is defined in the TNCLP Agreement of Limited Partnership generally as all cash receipts less all cash disbursements, less certain reserves (including reserves for future operating and capital needs) established as the general partner determines in its reasonable discretion to be necessary or appropriate. Changes in working capital affect Available Cash, as increases in the amount of cash invested in working capital items (such as increases in receivables or inventory and decreases in accounts payable) reduce Available Cash, while declines in the amount of cash invested in working capital items increase Available Cash. Cash distributions to the limited partners and general partner vary depending on the extent to which the cumulative distributions exceed certain target threshold levels set forth in the TNCLP Agreement of Limited Partnership.
In each of the applicable quarters of 2017 and 2016, the minimum quarterly distributions under the TNCLP Agreement of Limited Partnership were satisfied, which entitled Terra Nitrogen GP Inc. (TNGP), the general partner of TNCLP and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CF Holdings, to receive incentive distributions on its general partner interests (in addition to minimum quarterly distributions). TNGP has assigned its right to receive such incentive distributions to an affiliate of TNGP that is also an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of CF Holdings. The earnings attributed to our general partner interest in excess of the threshold levels for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, were $3 million and $10 million, respectively.
As of March 31, 2017, TNGP and its affiliates owned approximately 75.1% of TNCLP's outstanding common units. When not more than 25% of TNCLP's issued and outstanding common units are held by persons other than TNGP and its affiliates (collectively, non-affiliated persons), as was the case at March 31, 2017, TNCLP, at TNGP's sole discretion, may call or assign to TNGP or its affiliates, TNCLP's right to acquire all, but not less than all, such outstanding common units held by non-affiliated persons. If TNGP elects to acquire all outstanding common units, TNCLP is required to give at least 30 but not more than 60 days' notice of TNCLP's decision to purchase the outstanding common units, and the purchase price per unit would be the greater of (1) the average of the previous 20 trading days' closing prices as of the date five days before the purchase is announced or (2) the highest price paid by TNGP or any of its affiliates for any unit within the 90 days preceding the date the purchase is announced.
Internal Revenue Service Regulation Impacting Master Limited Partnerships
Currently, no federal income taxes are paid by TNCLP due to its MLP status. Partnerships are generally not subject to federal income tax, although publicly traded partnerships (such as TNCLP) are treated as corporations for federal income tax purposes (and therefore are subject to federal income tax), unless at least 90% of the partnership's gross income is "qualifying income" as defined in Section 7704 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the partnership is not required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Any change in the tax treatment of income from fertilizer-related activities as qualifying income could cause TNCLP to be treated as a corporation for federal income tax purposes. If TNCLP were taxed as a corporation, under current law, due to its current ownership interest, CF Industries would qualify for a partial dividends received deduction on the dividends received from TNCLP. Therefore, we would not expect a change in the tax treatment of TNCLP to have a material impact on the consolidated financial condition or results of operations of CF Holdings.
On January 19, 2017, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations on the types of income and activities that constitute or generate qualifying income of a MLP. For calendar year MLPs, the effective date of the regulations is January 1, 2018. The regulations have the effect of limiting the types of income and activities that qualify under the MLP rules, subject to certain transition provisions. The regulations define the activities that generate qualifying income from certain processing or refining and transportation activities with respect to any mineral or natural resource (including fertilizer) as activities that generate qualifying income, but the regulations reserve on specifics regarding fertilizer-related activities. We continue to monitor these IRS regulatory activities.

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14.   Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:
 
Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on
Securities
 
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
on
Derivatives
 
Defined
Benefit
Plans
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2015
$
(198
)
 
$
1

 
$
5

 
$
(58
)
 
$
(250
)
Effect of exchange rate changes and deferred taxes
48

 

 

 

 
48

Balance as of March 31, 2016
$
(150
)
 
$
1

 
$
5

 
$
(58
)
 
$
(202
)
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
(272
)
 
$
1

 
$
5

 
$
(132
)
 
$
(398
)
Effect of exchange rate changes and deferred taxes
20

 

 

 

 
20

Balance as of March 31, 2017
$
(252
)
 
$
1

 
$
5

 
$
(132
)
 
$
(378
)
Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were zero.
 


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15.  Contingencies
Litigation
West Fertilizer Co.
On April 17, 2013, there was a fire and explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. fertilizer storage and distribution facility in West, Texas. According to published reports, 15 people were killed and approximately 200 people were injured in the incident, and the fire and explosion damaged or destroyed a number of homes and buildings around the facility. Various subsidiaries of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (the CF Entities) have been named as defendants along with other companies in lawsuits filed in 2013, 2014 and 2015 in the District Court of McLennan County, Texas by the City of West, individual residents of the County and other parties seeking recovery for damages allegedly sustained as a result of the explosion. The cases have been consolidated for discovery and pretrial proceedings in the District Court of McLennan County under the caption "In re: West Explosion Cases." The two-year statute of limitations expired on April 17, 2015. As of that date, over 400 plaintiffs had filed claims, including at least 9 entities, 325 individuals, and 80 insurance companies. Plaintiffs allege various theories of negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty under Texas law. Although we do not own or operate the facility or directly sell our products to West Fertilizer Co., products that the CF Entities have manufactured and sold to others have been delivered to the facility and may have been stored at the West facility at the time of the incident.
The Court granted in part and denied in part the CF Entities' Motions for Summary Judgment in August 2015. Thirty-four cases have been resolved pursuant to confidential settlements fully funded by insurance. An additional sixty-two cases were recently resolved pursuant to confidential settlements that the Company expects to be fully funded by insurance, five of which were part of the group of cases scheduled to proceed to trial on April 3, 2017. The remaining cases are in various stages of discovery and pre-trial proceedings. The trial previously scheduled for April 3, 2017 was reset to begin in August 2017. We believe we have strong legal and factual defenses and intend to continue defending the CF Entities vigorously in the pending lawsuits. The Company cannot provide a range of reasonably possible loss due to the lack of damages discovery for many of the remaining claims and the uncertain nature of this litigation, including uncertainties around the potential allocation of responsibility by a jury to other defendants or responsible third parties. The recognition of a potential loss in the future in the West Fertilizer Co. litigation could negatively affect our results in the period of recognition. However, based upon currently available information, including available insurance coverage, we do not believe that this litigation will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Other Litigation
From time to time, we are subject to ordinary, routine legal proceedings related to the usual conduct of our business, including proceedings regarding public utility and transportation rates, environmental matters, taxes and permits relating to the operations of our various plants and facilities. Based on the information available as of the date of this filing, we believe that the ultimate outcome of these routine matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Environmental
Louisiana Environmental Matters
Clean Air Act—Section 185 Fee
Our Donaldsonville nitrogen complex is located in a five-parish region near Baton Rouge, Louisiana that, as of 2005, was designated as being in "severe" nonattainment with respect to the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone (the 1-hour ozone standard) pursuant to the Federal Clean Air Act (the Act). Section 185 of the Act requires states, in their state implementation plans, to levy a fee (Section 185 fee) on major stationary sources (such as the Donaldsonville complex) located in a severe nonattainment area that did not meet the 1-hour ozone standard by November 30, 2005. The fee was to be assessed for each calendar year (beginning in 2006) until the area achieved compliance with the ozone NAAQS.
Prior to the imposition of Section 185 fees, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopted a new ozone standard (the 8-hour ozone standard) and rescinded the 1-hour ozone standard. The Baton Rouge area was designated as a "moderate" nonattainment area with respect to the 8-hour ozone standard. However, because Section 185 fees had never been assessed prior to the rescission of the 1-hour ozone standard (rescinded prior to the November 30, 2005 ozone attainment deadline), the EPA concluded in a 2004 rulemaking implementing the 8-hour ozone standard that the Act did not require states to assess Section 185 fees. As a result, Section 185 fees were not assessed against us and other companies located in the Baton Rouge area.

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In 2006, the federal D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected the EPA's position and held that Section 185 fees were controls that must be maintained and fees should have been assessed under the Act. In January 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to accept the case for review, making the appellate court's decision final.
In July 2011, the EPA approved a revision to Louisiana's air pollution program that eliminated the requirement for Baton Rouge area companies to pay Section 185 fees, based on Baton Rouge's ultimate attainment of the 1-hour standard through permanent and enforceable emissions reductions. The EPA's approval of the Louisiana air program revision became effective on August 8, 2011. However, a recent decision by the federal D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a similar, but perhaps distinguishable, EPA guidance document regarding alternatives to Section 185 fees. At this time, the viability of EPA's approval of Louisiana's elimination of Section 185 fees is uncertain. Regardless of the approach ultimately adopted by the EPA, we expect that it is likely to be challenged by the environmental community, the states, and/or affected industries. Therefore, the costs associated with compliance with the Act cannot be determined at this time, and we cannot reasonably estimate the impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Since 2011, the area has seen significant reductions in ozone levels, attributable to federal and state regulations and community involvement. On December 15, 2016, the EPA redesignated the Baton Rouge Nonattainment Area as "attainment" with the 2008 8-hour ozone standard. However, based on 2013-2015 air quality monitoring data, the State of Louisiana has recommended that the EPA designate the Baton Rouge area as "non-attainment" pursuant to the updated 2015 8-hour ozone standard. The EPA is supposed to designate areas under the 2015 standard by October 2017.
Clean Air Act Information Request
On February 26, 2009, we received a letter from the EPA under Section 114 of the Act requesting information and copies of records relating to compliance with New Source Review and New Source Performance Standards at our Donaldsonville facility. We have completed the submittal of all requested information. There has been no further contact from the EPA regarding this matter.
Other
CERCLA/Remediation Matters
From time to time, we receive notices from governmental agencies or third parties alleging that we are a potentially responsible party at certain cleanup sites under CERCLA or other environmental cleanup laws. In 2011, we received a notice from the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (IDEQ) that alleged that we were a potentially responsible party for the cleanup of a former phosphate mine site we owned in the late 1950s and early 1960s located in Georgetown Canyon, Idaho. The current owner of the property and a former mining contractor received similar notices for the site. In 2014, we and the current property owner entered into a Consent Order with IDEQ and the U.S. Forest Service to conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study of the site. In 2015, we and several other parties received a notice that the U.S. Department of the Interior and other trustees intend to undertake a natural resource damage assessment for a group of former phosphate mines in southeast Idaho, including the former Georgetown Canyon mine. We are not able to estimate at this time our potential liability, if any, with respect to the cleanup of the site or a possible claim for natural resource damages. However, based on currently available information, we do not expect the remedial or financial obligations to which we may be subject involving this or other cleanup sites will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Table of Contents

16.  Segment Disclosures
Our reportable segments consist of ammonia, granular urea, UAN, AN and Other. These segments are differentiated by products. Our management uses gross margin to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Total other operating costs and expenses (consisting of selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating—net) and non-operating expenses (interest and income taxes) are centrally managed and are not included in the measurement of segment profitability reviewed by management.
Our assets, with the exception of goodwill, are not monitored by or reported to our chief operating decision maker by segment; therefore, we do not present total assets by segment. Goodwill by segment is presented in Note 6—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.
Segment data for sales, cost of sales and gross margin for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are presented in the tables below.
 
Ammonia
 
Granular
Urea(1)
 
UAN(1)
 
AN(1)
 
Other(1)
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Three months ended March 31, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Net sales
$
282

 
$
238

 
$
317

 
$
125

 
$
75

 
$
1,037

Cost of sales
265

 
213

 
282

 
106

 
65

 
931

Gross margin
$
17

 
$
25

 
$
35

 
$
19

 
$
10

 
106

Total other operating costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
52

Equity in earnings of operating affiliates
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
3

Operating earnings
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
$
57

Three months ended March 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Net sales
$
267

 
$
235

 
$
309

 
$
125

 
$
68

 
$
1,004

Cost of sales
204

 
175

 
231

 
112

 
65

 
787

Gross margin
$
63

 
$
60

 
$
78

 
$
13

 
$
3

 
217

Total other operating costs and expenses
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
120

Equity in earnings of operating affiliates
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 

Operating earnings
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
$
97

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1) 
The cost of the products that are upgraded into other products is transferred at cost into the upgraded product results.


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Table of Contents

17.   Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements
The following condensed consolidating financial information is presented in accordance with SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10, Financial statements of guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities registered or being registered, and relates to (i) the senior notes due 2018, 2020, 2023, 2034, 2043 and 2044 (described in Note 11—Financing Agreements and referred to in this report as the Public Senior Notes) issued by CF Industries, Inc. (CF Industries), a 100% owned subsidiary of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (Parent), and guarantees of the Public Senior Notes by Parent and by CFE and CFS (the Subsidiary Guarantors), which are 100% owned subsidiaries of Parent, and (ii) debt securities of CF Industries (Other Debt Securities), and guarantees thereof by Parent and the Subsidiary Guarantors, that may be offered and sold from time to time under registration statements that may be filed by Parent, CF Industries and the Subsidiary Guarantors with the SEC.
In the event that a subsidiary of Parent, other than CF Industries, becomes a borrower or a guarantor under the Revolving Credit Agreement (or any renewal, replacement or refinancing thereof), such subsidiary would be required to become a guarantor of the Public Senior Notes, provided that such requirement will no longer apply with respect to the Public Senior Notes due 2023, 2034, 2043 and 2044 following the repayment of the Public Senior Notes due 2018 and 2020 or the subsidiaries of Parent, other than CF Industries, otherwise becoming no longer subject to such a requirement to guarantee the Public Senior Notes due 2018 and 2020. CFE and CFS became guarantors of the Public Senior Notes as a result of this requirement on November 21, 2016.
All of the guarantees of the Public Senior Notes are, and we have assumed for purposes of this presentation of condensed consolidating financial information that the guarantees of any Other Debt Securities would be, full and unconditional (as such term is defined in SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10(h)) and joint and several. The guarantee of a Subsidiary Guarantor will be automatically released with respect to a series of the Public Senior Notes (1) upon the release, discharge or termination of such Subsidiary Guarantor’s guarantee of the Revolving Credit Agreement (or any renewal, replacement or refinancing thereof), (2) upon legal defeasance with respect to the Public Senior Notes of such series or satisfaction and discharge of the indenture with respect to such series of Public Senior Notes or (3) in the case of the Public Senior Notes due 2023, 2034, 2043 and 2044, upon the later to occur of (a) the discharge, termination or release of, or the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under, such Subsidiary Guarantor’s guarantee of the Public Senior Notes due 2018, including, without limitation, any such discharge, termination or release as a result of retirement, discharge or legal or covenant defeasance of, or satisfaction and discharge of the supplemental indenture governing, the Public Senior Notes due 2018, and (b) the discharge, termination or release of, or the release of such Subsidiary Guarantor from its obligations under, such Subsidiary Guarantor’s guarantee of the Public Senior Notes due 2020, including, without limitation, any such discharge, termination or release as a result of retirement, discharge or legal or covenant defeasance of, or satisfaction and discharge of the supplemental indenture governing, the Public Senior Notes due 2020.
For purposes of the presentation of condensed consolidating financial information, the subsidiaries of Parent other than CF Industries, CFE and CFS are referred to as the Non-Guarantors.
Presented below are condensed consolidating statements of operations and statements of cash flows for Parent, CF Industries, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Non-Guarantors for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, and condensed consolidating balance sheets for Parent, CF Industries, the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Non-Guarantors as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The condensed consolidating statement of operations and statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2016 have been restated to reflect the Subsidiary Guarantors separately. The condensed consolidating financial information presented below is not necessarily indicative of the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive (loss) income or cash flows of Parent, CF Industries, the Subsidiary Guarantors or the Non-Guarantors on a stand-alone basis.
In these condensed consolidating financial statements, investments in subsidiaries are presented under the equity method, in which our investments are recorded at cost and adjusted for our ownership share of a subsidiary's cumulative results of operations, distributions and other equity changes, and the eliminating entries reflect primarily intercompany transactions such as sales, accounts receivable and accounts payable and the elimination of equity investments and earnings of subsidiaries. Two of our consolidated entities have made elections to be taxed as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are included in the non-guarantor column. Due to the partnership tax treatment, these subsidiaries do not record taxes on their financial statements. The tax provision pertaining to the income of these partnerships, plus applicable deferred tax balances are reflected on the financial statements of the parent company owner that is included in the subsidiary guarantors column in the following financial information. Liabilities related to benefit plan obligations are reflected on the legal entity that funds the obligation, while the benefit plan expense is included on the legal entity to which the employee provides services.

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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
 
Three months ended March 31, 2017
 
Parent
 
CF Industries
 
Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Net sales
$

 
$
90

 
$
822

 
$
896

 
$
(771
)
 
$
1,037

Cost of sales

 
51

 
893

 
758

 
(771
)
 
931

Gross margin

 
39

 
(71
)
 
138

 

 
106

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 
2

 
28

 
16

 

 
46

Other operating—net

 
(1
)
 
1

 
6

 

 
6

Total other operating costs and expenses

 
1

 
29

 
22

 

 
52

Equity in earnings of operating affiliates

 

 

 
3

 

 
3

Operating earnings (loss)

 
38

 
(100
)
 
119

 

 
57

Interest expense

 
81

 
11

 
1

 
(13
)
 
80

Interest income

 
(11
)
 
(1
)
 
(2
)
 
13

 
(1
)
Net loss (earnings) of wholly owned subsidiaries
23

 
3

 
(98
)
 

 
72

 

(Loss) earnings before income taxes
(23
)
 
(35
)
 
(12
)
 
120

 
(72
)
 
(22
)
Income tax (benefit) provision

 
(12
)
 
(5
)
 
4

 

 
(13
)
Net (loss) earnings
(23
)
 
(23
)
 
(7
)
 
116

 
(72
)
 
(9
)
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
14

 

 
14

Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders
$
(23
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
102

 
$
(72
)
 
$
(23
)

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Three months ended March 31, 2017
 
Parent
 
CF Industries
 
Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Net (loss) earnings
$
(23
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
116

 
$
(72
)
 
$
(9
)
Other comprehensive income
20

 
20

 
12

 
18

 
(50
)
 
20

Comprehensive (loss) income
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
5

 
134

 
(122
)
 
11

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
14

 

 
14

Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to common stockholders
$
(3
)
 
$
(3
)
 
$
5

 
$
120

 
$
(122
)
 
$
(3
)
 
 
 
 

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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations
 
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
Parent
 
CF Industries
 
Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Net sales
$

 
$
145

 
$
803

 
$
742

 
$
(686
)
 
$
1,004

Cost of sales

 
48

 
835

 
590

 
(686
)
 
787

Gross margin

 
97

 
(32
)
 
152

 

 
217

Selling, general and administrative expenses
1

 
1

 
29

 
14

 

 
45

Transaction costs
10

 

 
3

 
1

 

 
14

Other operating—net
(1
)
 
1

 
4

 
57

 

 
61

Total other operating costs and expenses
10

 
2

 
36

 
72

 

 
120

Equity in earnings of operating affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

Operating (loss) earnings
(10
)
 
95

 
(68
)
 
80

 

 
97

Interest expense

 
86

 
12

 
(32
)
 
(28
)
 
38

Interest income

 
(17
)
 
(5
)
 
(7
)
 
28

 
(1
)
Net earnings of wholly owned subsidiaries
(32
)
 
(15
)
 
(113
)
 

 
160

 

Other non-operating—net

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 
(2
)
Earnings before income taxes
22

 
41

 
38

 
121

 
(160
)
 
62

Income tax (benefit) provision
(4
)
 
9

 
17

 
(7
)
 

 
15

Net earnings
26

 
32

 
21

 
128

 
(160
)
 
47

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
21

 

 
21

Net earnings attributable to common stockholders
$
26

 
$
32

 
$
21

 
$
107

 
$
(160
)
 
$
26


Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income
 
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
Parent
 
CF Industries
 
Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non-Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Net earnings
$
26

 
$
32

 
$
21

 
$
128

 
$
(160
)
 
$
47

Other comprehensive income
48

 
48

 
47

 

 
(95
)
 
48

Comprehensive income
74

 
80

 
68

 
128

 
(255
)
 
95

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
21

 

 
21

Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders
$
74

 
$
80

 
$
68

 
$
107

 
$
(255
)
 
$
74

 
 
 
 


26

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
 
March 31, 2017
 
Parent
 
CF Industries
 
Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non- Guarantors
 
Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Assets
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$
16

 
$
942

 
$
354

 
$

 
$
1,312

Restricted cash

 

 

 
4

 

 
4

Accounts and notes receivable—net
8

 
809

 
1,343

 
328

 
(2,236
)
 
252

Inventories

 

 
182

 
182

 

 
364

Prepaid income taxes

 

 
837

 
7

 

 
844

Other current assets

 

 
20

 
9

 

 
29

Total current assets
8

 
825

 
3,324

 
884

 
(2,236
)
 
2,805

Property, plant and equipment—net

 

 
127

 
9,425

 

 
9,552

Deferred income taxes

 
28

 

 

 
(28
)
 

Investments in affiliates
3,707

 
9,388

 
6,566

 
141

 
(19,661
)
 
141

Due from affiliates
571

 

 

 

 
(571
)
 

Goodwill

 

 
2,064

 
286

 

 
2,350

Other assets

 
87

 
96

 
390

 
(236
)
 
337

Total assets
$
4,286

 
$
10,328

 
$
12,177

 
$
11,126

 
$
(22,732
)
 
$
15,185

Liabilities and Equity
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts and notes payable and accrued expenses
$
1,007

 
$
254

 
$
1,117

 
$
515

 
$
(2,236
)
 
$
657

Customer advances

 

 
184

 

 

 
184

Other current liabilities

 

 
11

 
1

 

 
12

Total current liabilities
1,007

 
254

 
1,312

 
516

 
(2,236
)
 
853

Long-term debt

 
5,780

 
166

 
70

 
(236
)
 
5,780

Deferred income taxes

 

 
1,476

 
168

 
(28
)
 
1,616

Due to affiliates

 
571

 

 

 
(571
)
 

Other liabilities

 
16

 
321

 
216

 

 
553

Equity:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock
2

 

 

 
4,905

 
(4,905
)
 
2

Paid-in capital
1,384

 
(13
)
 
9,505

 
1,783

 
(11,275
)
 
1,384

Retained earnings
2,272

 
4,098

 
(336
)
 
689

 
(4,451
)
 
2,272

Treasury stock
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(378
)
 
(378
)
 
(259
)
 
(333
)
 
970

 
(378
)
Total stockholders' equity
3,279

 
3,707

 
8,910

 
7,044

 
(19,661
)
 
3,279

Noncontrolling interests

 

 
(8
)
 
3,112

 

 
3,104

Total equity
3,279

 
3,707

 
8,902

 
10,156

 
(19,661
)
 
6,383

Total liabilities and equity
$
4,286

 
$
10,328

 
$
12,177

 
$
11,126

 
$
(22,732
)
 
$
15,185



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Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet
 
December 31, 2016
 
Parent
 
CF Industries
 
Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non- Guarantors
 
Eliminations
and
Reclassifications
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Assets
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current assets:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents
$

 
$
36

 
$
878

 
$
250

 
$

 
$
1,164

Restricted cash

 

 

 
5

 

 
5

Accounts and notes receivable—net
20

 
1,259

 
1,418

 
495

 
(2,956
)
 
236

Inventories

 

 
164

 
175

 

 
339

Prepaid income taxes

 

 
839

 
2

 

 
841

Other current assets

 

 
59

 
11

 

 
70

Total current assets
20

 
1,295

 
3,358

 
938

 
(2,956
)
 
2,655

Property, plant and equipment—net

 

 
131

 
9,521

 

 
9,652

Investments in affiliates
3,711

 
9,370

 
6,019

 
139

 
(19,100
)
 
139

Due from affiliates
571

 

 

 

 
(571
)
 

Goodwill

 

 
2,064

 
281

 

 
2,345

Other assets

 
85

 
101

 
385

 
(231
)
 
340

Total assets
$
4,302

 
$
10,750

 
$
11,673

 
$
11,264

 
$
(22,858
)
 
$
15,131

Liabilities and Equity
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Current liabilities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Accounts and notes payable and accrued expenses
$
954

 
$
418

 
$
1,505

 
$
717

 
$
(2,956
)
 
$
638

Income taxes payable

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Customer advances

 

 
42

 

 

 
42

Other current liabilities

 

 
5

 

 

 
5

Total current liabilities
954

 
418

 
1,552

 
718

 
(2,956
)
 
686

Long-term debt

 
5,903

 
39

 
67

 
(231
)
 
5,778

Deferred income taxes

 
90

 
1,374

 
166

 

 
1,630

Due to affiliates

 
571

 

 

 
(571
)
 

Other liabilities

 
59

 
270

 
216

 

 
545

Equity:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Stockholders' equity:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock
2

 

 

 
4,383

 
(4,383
)
 
2

Paid-in capital
1,380

 
(13
)
 
9,045

 
2,246

 
(11,278
)
 
1,380

Retained earnings
2,365

 
4,120

 
(329
)
 
668

 
(4,459
)
 
2,365

Treasury stock
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 
(1
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(398
)
 
(398
)
 
(271
)
 
(351
)
 
1,020

 
(398
)
Total stockholders' equity
3,348

 
3,709

 
8,445

 
6,946

 
(19,100
)
 
3,348

Noncontrolling interests

 

 
(7
)
 
3,151

 

 
3,144

Total equity
3,348

 
3,709

 
8,438

 
10,097

 
(19,100
)
 
6,492

Total liabilities and equity
$
4,302

 
$
10,750

 
$
11,673

 
$
11,264

 
$
(22,858
)
 
$
15,131



28

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
 
Three months ended March 31, 2017
 
Parent
 
CF Industries
 
Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non- Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Operating Activities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net (loss) earnings
$
(23
)
 
$
(23
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
116

 
$
(72
)
 
$
(9
)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization

 
3

 
6

 
196

 

 
205

Deferred income taxes

 
(11
)
 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(16
)
Stock-based compensation expense
4

 

 

 

 

 
4

Unrealized net loss on natural gas and foreign currency derivatives

 

 
45

 
8

 

 
53

Unrealized loss on embedded derivative

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Undistributed (earnings) loss of affiliates—net
23

 
1

 
(97
)
 
(4
)
 
72

 
(5
)
Changes in:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Intercompany accounts receivable/accounts payable—net
(4
)
 
(47
)
 
138

 
(87
)
 

 

Accounts receivable—net

 

 
(5
)
 
(4
)
 

 
(9
)
Inventories

 

 
(16
)
 
1

 

 
(15
)
Accrued and prepaid income taxes

 

 
2

 
(7
)
 

 
(5
)
Accounts and notes payable and accrued expenses

 
37

 
4

 
(36
)
 

 
5

Customer advances

 

 
142

 

 

 
142

Other—net

 

 
6

 
(2
)
 

 
4

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

 
(40
)
 
215

 
181

 

 
356

Investing Activities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Additions to property, plant and equipment

 

 
(3
)
 
(91
)
 

 
(94
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 
8

 

 
8

Withdrawals from restricted cash funds

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 
(3
)
 
(82
)
 

 
(85
)
Financing Activities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Long-term debt—net

 
(125
)
 

 
125

 

 

Short-term debt—net
70

 
145

 
(171
)
 
(44
)
 

 

Dividends paid on common stock
(70
)
 

 

 
(23
)
 
23

 
(70
)
Dividends to/from affiliates

 

 
23

 

 
(23
)
 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 
(54
)
 

 
(54
)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 
20

 
(148
)
 
4

 

 
(124
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 
(20
)
 
64

 
104

 

 
148

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 
36

 
878

 
250

 

 
1,164

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$

 
$
16

 
$
942

 
$
354

 
$

 
$
1,312



29

Table of Contents

Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows
 
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 
Parent
 
CF Industries
 
Subsidiary Guarantors
 
Non- Guarantors
 
Eliminations
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions)
Operating Activities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Net earnings
$
26

 
$
32

 
$
21

 
$
128

 
$
(160
)
 
$
47

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Depreciation and amortization

 
2

 
5

 
139

 

 
146

Deferred income taxes

 
10

 
36

 
(10
)
 

 
36

Stock-based compensation expense
4

 

 

 

 

 
4

Unrealized net loss (gain) on natural gas and foreign currency derivatives

 

 
19

 
(1
)
 

 
18

Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 
3

 

 
3

Undistributed earnings of affiliates—net
(32
)
 
(14
)
 
(114
)
 
(4
)
 
160

 
(4
)
Changes in:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Intercompany accounts receivable/accounts payable—net
1

 
30

 
232

 
(263
)
 

 

Accounts receivable—net

 
34

 
(6
)
 
(24
)
 

 
4

Inventories

 

 
(25
)
 
41

 

 
16

Accrued and prepaid income taxes

 

 
(18
)
 
(5
)
 

 
(23
)
Accounts and notes payable and accrued expenses
(1
)
 
(12
)
 
7

 

 

 
(6
)
Customer advances

 

 
65

 

 

 
65

Other—net

 

 
5

 
35

 

 
40

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
(2
)
 
82

 
227

 
39

 

 
346

Investing Activities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Additions to property, plant and equipment
(5
)
 

 
(6
)
 
(665
)
 

 
(676
)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 
2

 

 
2

Withdrawals from restricted cash funds

 

 

 
11

 

 
11

Other—net

 

 

 
1

 

 
1

Net cash used in investing activities
(5
)
 

 
(6
)
 
(651
)
 

 
(662
)
Financing Activities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Short-term debt—net
9

 
(82
)
 
(143
)
 
216

 

 

Proceeds from short-term debt

 
150

 

 

 

 
150

Payments on short-term debt

 
(150
)
 

 

 

 
(150
)
Dividends paid on common stock
(70
)
 
(70
)
 
(70
)
 
(77
)
 
217

 
(70
)
Dividends to/from affiliates
70

 
70

 
77

 

 
(217
)
 

Issuance of noncontrolling interest in CFN

 

 

 
2,800

 

 
2,800

Distributions to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
(13
)
 

 
(13
)
Distribution received for CHS strategic venture

 

 
2,000

 
(2,000
)
 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
9

 
(82
)
 
1,864

 
926

 

 
2,717

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 
2

 

 
2

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
2

 

 
2,085

 
316

 

 
2,403

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1

 
1

 
121

 
163

 

 
286

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
2,206

 
$
479

 
$

 
$
2,689


30

Table of Contents

ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
        You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with our annual consolidated financial statements and related notes, which were included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017, as well as Item 1. Financial Statements, in this Form 10-Q. All references to "CF Holdings," "we," "us," "our" and "the Company" refer to CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where the context makes clear that the reference is only to CF Industries Holdings, Inc. itself and not its subsidiaries. All references to "CF Industries" refer to CF Industries, Inc., a 100% owned subsidiary of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. References to tons refer to short-tons. Notes referenced in this discussion and analysis refer to the notes to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements that are found in the preceding section: Item 1. Financial Statements. The following is an outline of the discussion and analysis included herein:
Overview of CF Holdings
Our Company
Items Affecting Comparability of Results
Financial Executive Summary
Results of Consolidated Operations
First Quarter of 2017 Compared to First Quarter of 2016
Operating Results by Business Segment
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Forward-Looking Statements
Overview of CF Holdings
Our Company
We are one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of nitrogen fertilizer and other nitrogen products in the world. Our principal customers are cooperatives, independent fertilizer distributors, farmers and industrial users. Our principal nitrogen fertilizer products are ammonia, granular urea, urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN) and ammonium nitrate (AN). Our other nitrogen products include diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), urea liquor, nitric acid and aqua ammonia, which are sold primarily to our industrial customers, and compound fertilizer products (NPKs), which are solid granular fertilizer products for which the nutrient content is a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Our manufacturing and distribution facilities are concentrated in the midwestern United States and other major agricultural areas of the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. We also export nitrogen fertilizer products from our Donaldsonville, Louisiana and Yazoo City, Mississippi manufacturing facilities, and our United Kingdom manufacturing facilities in Billingham and Ince.
Our principal assets include:
four U.S. nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facilities located in Donaldsonville, Louisiana (the largest nitrogen fertilizer complex in the world); Port Neal, Iowa; Yazoo City, Mississippi; and Woodward, Oklahoma. These facilities are owned by CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC (CFN), in which we own a majority interest and CHS Inc. (CHS), owns a minority equity interest. See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interests to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for additional information on our strategic venture with CHS.
an approximately 75.3% interest in Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. (TNCLP), a publicly traded limited partnership of which we are the sole general partner and the majority limited partner and which, through its subsidiary Terra Nitrogen, Limited Partnership (TNLP), operates a nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facility in Verdigris, Oklahoma;
two Canadian nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facilities located in Medicine Hat, Alberta (the largest nitrogen fertilizer complex in Canada) and Courtright, Ontario;
two United Kingdom nitrogen manufacturing complexes located in Billingham and Ince;
an extensive system of terminals and associated transportation equipment located primarily in the midwestern United States; and

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Table of Contents

a 50% interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited (PLNL), an ammonia production joint venture located in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago that we account for under the equity method.
Items Affecting Comparability of Results
Nitrogen Fertilizer Selling Prices
Over the last decade, strong demand, high capacity utilization and increasing operating margins as a result of higher global nitrogen fertilizer prices stimulated global investment in nitrogen production facilities, which resulted in an increase in global nitrogen fertilizer production capacity. As a result, global nitrogen fertilizer supply increased more quickly than global nitrogen fertilizer demand, creating the current global oversupply in the market, and leading to lower nitrogen fertilizer selling prices.
A significant amount of new nitrogen production capacity came on line in 2016, and additional production capacity is expected to come on line in 2017, including a significant increase in production capacity located in North America. The new capacity will further increase supply. We expect the lower priced environment to continue until global supply and demand become more balanced through a combination of continued demand growth and supply reductions as producers respond to lower realized margins by taking higher cost production facilities off line.
The U.S. Gulf is a major global fertilizer pricing point due to the volume of nitrogen fertilizer that trades there. Through most of 2016, nitrogen pricing at the U.S. Gulf declined, often trading below parity with other international pricing points due to excess global nitrogen supply as a result of continued imports from various exporting regions and decreased North American buyer interest. Seasonal decreases in agricultural demand combined with delayed customer purchasing activity resulted in multi-year lows in nitrogen fertilizer selling prices in the second half of 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, prices began to increase as the supply and demand balance tightened in anticipation of spring fertilizer demand for the planting and growing season. However, as the first quarter progressed, increased imports into the North American market increased fertilizer supply, which pressured selling prices downward as the quarter ended.
Our results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 were impacted by excess global nitrogen supply and the resulting low nitrogen fertilizer selling prices. The average selling price for our products for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $219 per ton compared to $248 per ton for the three months ended March 31, 2016, a decrease of 12%, resulting in a decrease in both net sales and gross margin of approximately $116 million between the periods. In addition to the direct impact of lower selling prices, during periods of declining prices, customers tend to delay purchasing fertilizer in anticipation of prices in the future being lower than current prices.
In addition to the impact of market conditions on nitrogen fertilizer selling prices, certain significant items impacted our financial results during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. The following table and related discussion outline these significant items and how they impacted the comparability of our financial results during these periods. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we reported net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders of $(23) million and $26 million, respectively.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
 
Pre-Tax
After-Tax
 
Pre-Tax
After-Tax
 
 
(in millions)
Depreciation and amortization(1)
 
$
205

$
128

 
$
146

$
91

Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives(2)
 
53

33

 
21

13

Transaction costs
 


 
14

9

Loss on foreign currency transactions including intercompany loans(3)
 


 
45

44

Capacity expansion project expenses(3)
 


 
16

10

Strategic Venture with CHS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncontrolling interest(4)
 
8

8

 
17

17

Loss on embedded derivative liability(3)
 
1

1

 


Total Impact of Significant Items
 
$
267

$
170

 
$
259

$
184

______________________________________________________________________________
(1) Included in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
(2) Included in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations.
(3) Included in other operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations.
(4) Included in net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests in our consolidated statements of operations.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

32

Table of Contents

The following describes the significant items that impacted the comparability of our financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. Descriptions of items below that refer to amounts in the table above, refer to the pre-tax amounts.
Depreciation and amortization
Total depreciation and amortization expense recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2017 was $205 million compared to $146 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016. This increase in depreciation expense reflects the completion of our capacity expansion projects and placing in service all five of the new plants prior to the end of 2016. The capacity expansion projects were originally announced in 2012 and included the construction of new ammonia, urea, and UAN plants at our Donaldsonville, Louisiana complex and new ammonia and urea plants at our Port Neal, Iowa complex. These plants increased our overall production capacity by approximately 25%, improved our product mix flexibility at Donaldsonville, and improved our ability to serve upper-Midwest urea customers from our Port Neal location. The following table indicates the quarter in which each of the five expansion plants were placed in service.
Quarter placed in service
 
Expansion plant location
Q4 2015
 
Donaldsonville Urea
Q1 2016
 
Donaldsonville UAN
Q4 2016
 
Donaldsonville Ammonia
Q4 2016
 
Port Neal Ammonia and Urea
Depreciation expense pertaining to each of our capacity expansion plants commenced once the applicable plant was placed in service.
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives
Natural gas is typically the largest and most volatile single component of the manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based products. We manage the risk of changes in natural gas prices through the use of derivative financial instruments. The derivatives that we use for this purpose are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps and natural gas options. We use natural gas derivatives as an economic hedge of natural gas price risk, but without the application of hedge accounting. This can result in volatility in reported earnings due to the unrealized mark-to-market adjustments that occur from changes in the value of the derivatives. In the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized unrealized net mark-to-market losses on natural gas derivatives of $53 million and $21 million, respectively, which is reflected in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations.
Transaction costs
On August 6, 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement (as amended, the Combination Agreement) to combine with the European, North American and global distribution businesses of OCI N.V. (OCI). On May 22, 2016, CF Holdings, OCI and the other parties to the Combination Agreement entered into a termination agreement under which the parties agreed to terminate the Combination Agreement by mutual written consent. In the three months ended March 31, 2016, we incurred $14 million of transaction costs associated with the proposed combination with certain businesses of OCI and our strategic venture with CHS.
Loss on foreign currency transactions including intercompany loans
In the three months ended March 31, 2016, we recognized a loss of $45 million from the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on primarily British pound and Canadian dollar denominated intercompany loans that are not permanently invested. Due to a restructuring of certain intercompany loans, we did not incur similar foreign exchange rate impacts in the three months ended March 31, 2017.
Capacity expansion project expenses
The capacity expansion projects were completed as of December 31, 2016. Capacity expansion project expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $16 million, generally consisting of administrative costs and other project costs that did not qualify for capitalization.

33

Table of Contents

Strategic Venture with CHS
We commenced a strategic venture with CHS on February 1, 2016, at which time CHS purchased a minority equity interest in CFN for $2.8 billion. CHS also began receiving deliveries pursuant to a supply agreement under which CHS has the right to purchase annually from CFN up to approximately 1.1 million tons of granular urea and 580,000 tons of UAN at market prices. As a result of its minority equity interest in CFN, CHS is entitled to semi-annual cash distributions from CFN. We are also entitled to semi-annual cash distributions from CFN. The amounts of distributions from CFN to us and CHS are based generally on the profitability of CFN and determined based on the volume of granular urea and UAN sold by CFN to us and CHS pursuant to supply agreements, less a formula driven amount based primarily on the cost of natural gas used to produce the granular urea and UAN, and adjusted for the allocation of items such as operational efficiencies and overhead amounts. We began recognizing the noncontrolling interest pertaining to CHS’ ownership interest in CFN on February 1, 2016. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $8 million and $17 million, respectively, of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest in CFN. See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interests to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for additional information on our strategic venture with CHS.
Under the terms of our strategic venture with CHS, if our credit rating is reduced below certain levels by two of three specified credit rating agencies, we are required to make a non-refundable yearly payment of $5 million to CHS. The payment would continue on a yearly basis until the earlier of the date that our credit rating is upgraded to or above certain levels by two of three specified credit rating agencies or February 1, 2026. In the fourth quarter of 2016, as a result of a reduction in our credit rating, we made a $5 million payment to CHS. This term of the strategic venture is recognized on our consolidated balance sheet as an embedded derivative liability. Included in other operating-net in our consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is a charge of $1 million to adjust the liability to fair value.
Financial Executive Summary
We reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $23 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, a decrease of $49 million. Diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders was $0.10 in the first quarter of 2017 compared to diluted net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders of $0.11 in the first quarter of 2016
During the first quarter of 2017, we experienced lower net earnings attributable to common stockholders compared to the first quarter of 2016. This was due primarily to lower gross margin as a result of lower average selling prices resulting from the excess global supply of nitrogen fertilizer, higher natural gas costs, and higher depreciation as a result of the completion of our capacity expansion projects. Higher unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives also contributed to the lower gross margin in the first quarter of 2017. These items were partially offset by an increase in sales volume as a result of the completed capacity expansion plants.
Net interest expense increased to $79 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 from $37 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016, due primarily to higher amounts of capitalized interest in 2016 related to our capacity expansion projects that reduced interest expense in 2016. The completion of our capacity expansion projects reduced the amount of capitalized interest in 2017. Capitalized interest was $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared to $43 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
Our total gross margin declined by $111 million, or 51%, to $106 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $217 million in the first quarter of 2016. The change in gross margin was due primarily to:
a decrease in average selling prices of 12%, which reduced gross margin by $116 million, primarily driven by a decrease in average selling prices for UAN and ammonia of 20% and 15%, respectively,
an increase in physical natural gas costs in the first quarter of 2017, partially offset by the impact of natural gas derivatives that settled in the period, which decreased gross margin by $42 million as compared to the first quarter of 2016,
a higher unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives, which decreased gross margin by $32 million as the first quarter of 2017 included a $53 million loss and the first quarter of 2016 included a $21 million loss,
an increase in depreciation and amortization due to the completion of our capacity expansion projects was offset by lower freight costs and overhead efficiencies as compared to the first quarter of 2016,
partially offset by an increase in sales volume of 17%, which increased gross margin by $78 million, primarily driven by an increase in sales volume for UAN and ammonia of 27% and 25%, respectively.

34

Table of Contents

Results of Consolidated Operations
The following table presents our consolidated results of operations and supplemental data:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 v. 2016
 
(in millions, except as noted)
Net sales
$
1,037

 
$
1,004

 
$
33

 
3
 %
Cost of sales
931

 
787

 
144

 
18
 %
Gross margin
106

 
217

 
(111
)
 
(51
)%
Gross margin percentage
10.2
%
 
21.6
%
 
(11.4
)%
 
 
Selling, general and administrative expenses
46

 
45

 
1

 
2
 %
Transaction costs

 
14

 
(14
)
 
(100
)%
Other operating—net
6

 
61

 
(55
)
 
(90
)%
Total other operating costs and expenses
52

 
120

 
(68
)
 
(57
)%
Equity in earnings of operating affiliates
3

 

 
3

 
N/M

Operating earnings
57

 
97

 
(40
)
 
(41
)%
Interest expense—net
79

 
37

 
42

 
114
 %
Other non-operating—net

 
(2
)
 
2

 
100
 %
(Loss) earnings before income taxes
(22
)
 
62

 
(84
)
 
N/M

Income tax (benefit) provision
(13
)
 
15

 
(28
)
 
N/M

Net (loss) earnings
(9
)
 
47

 
(56
)
 
N/M

Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests
14

 
21

 
(7
)
 
(33
)%
Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders
$
(23
)
 
$
26

 
$
(49
)
 
N/M

Diluted net (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders
$
(0.10
)
 
$
0.11

 
$
(0.21
)
 
N/M

Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding          
233.1

 
233.5

 
(0.4
)
 
 %
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.30

 
$
0.30

 
$

 
 %
Natural Gas Supplemental Data (per MMBtu)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas costs in cost of sales(1)
$
3.66

 
$
2.51

 
$
1.15

 
46
 %
Realized derivatives (gain) loss in cost of sales(2)
(0.01
)
 
0.80

 
(0.81
)
 
N/M

Cost of natural gas in cost of sales
$
3.65

 
$
3.31

 
$
0.34

 
10
 %
Average daily market price of natural gas Henry Hub (Louisiana)
$
3.00

 
$
1.98

 
$
1.02

 
52
 %
Average daily market price of natural gas National Balancing Point (UK)
$
5.98

 
$
4.36

 
$
1.62

 
37
 %
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives
$
53

 
$
21

 
$
32

 
152
 %
Capital expenditures
$
94

 
$
676

 
$
(582
)
 
(86
)%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
4,745

 
4,051

 
694

 
17
 %
Production volume by product tons (000s):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ammonia(3)
2,508

 
2,003

 
505

 
25
 %
Granular urea
1,002

 
819

 
183

 
22
 %
UAN (32%)
1,817

 
1,518

 
299

 
20
 %
AN
542

 
431

 
111

 
26
 %
___________________________________________________________________________
N/M—Not Meaningful
(1) 
Includes the cost of natural gas that is included in cost of sales during the period under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) inventory cost method.
(2) 
Includes realized gains and losses on natural gas derivatives settled during the period. Excludes unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses on natural gas derivatives.
(3) 
Gross ammonia production, including amounts subsequently upgraded on-site into granular urea, UAN, or AN.

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Table of Contents

First Quarter of 2017 Compared to First Quarter of 2016
Net Sales
Our total net sales increased $33 million, or 3%, to $1,037 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $1,004 million in the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to a 17% increase in sales volume partially offset by a 12% decrease in average selling prices.
Average selling prices were $219 per ton in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $248 per ton in the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to lower UAN and ammonia selling prices in 2017. Selling prices were negatively impacted by excess global nitrogen supply. Pricing for nitrogen fertilizer products in the U.S. Gulf declined during most of 2016, often trading below parity with other international pricing points, as a result of continued imports from various exporting regions and decreased buyer interest. Seasonal decreases in agricultural demand combined with delayed customer purchasing activity resulted in multi-year lows in nitrogen fertilizer selling prices in the second half of 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, prices began to increase as the supply and demand balance tightened in anticipation of spring fertilizer demand for the planting and growing season. However, as the first quarter progressed, increased imports into the North American market increased fertilizer supply, which pressured selling prices as the quarter ended.
The increase in total sales volume of 17% was due primarily to higher ammonia and UAN export sales as a result of increased production from the completion of our capacity expansion projects.
Cost of Sales
Our total cost of sales increased $144 million, or 18%, from the first quarter of 2016 to the first quarter of 2017. The increase in our cost of sales was due primarily to the higher sales volume in addition to higher depreciation expense related to the completion of our capacity expansion projects and placing those assets into service, higher realized natural gas costs and higher unrealized net mark-to-market losses on natural gas derivatives, partially offset by lower freight and overhead efficiencies. The cost of sales per ton averaged $196 in the first quarter of 2017, a 1% increase from the $194 per ton in the same quarter of 2016. Realized natural gas costs, including the impact of higher natural gas costs and realized derivatives, increased 10% from $3.31 per MMBtu in 2016 to $3.65 in 2017. Additionally, the first quarter of 2017 included a $53 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss compared to a $21 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss included in the first quarter of 2016.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1 million to $46 million in the first quarter of 2017 from $45 million in the same quarter of 2016, due primarily to higher legal fees for certain corporate office activities.
Transaction Costs
In the first quarter of 2016, we incurred $14 million of transaction costs associated primarily with the agreements pertaining to the proposed combination with certain businesses of OCI that was terminated on May 22, 2016 and our strategic venture with CHS.
Other Operating—Net
Other operating—net was $6 million of expense in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $61 million of expense in the same quarter of 2016. The decreased expense was due primarily to the $45 million loss in the first quarter of 2016 from the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on primarily British pound and Canadian dollar denominated intercompany loans that are not permanently invested. Due to a restructuring of certain intercompany loans, we did not incur similar foreign exchange rate impacts in the three months ended March 31, 2017. The decreased expense is also due to expansion project expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2016 of $16 million, generally consisting of administrative and other project costs that did not qualify for capitalization.
Equity in Earnings of Operating Affiliates
Equity in earnings of operating affiliates, consisting of our 50% share of the operating results of PLNL, increased $3 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to improved operating results from PLNL as a result of increased sales volume.

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Table of Contents

Interest Expense—Net
Net interest expense was $79 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $37 million in the first quarter of 2016, an increase of $42 million. The increased interest expense is primarily due to a decrease in the amount of interest capitalized due to the completion of the capacity expansion projects. In the first quarter of 2016, capitalized interest was $43 million compared to $1 million in the first quarter of 2017.
Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2017, we recorded an income tax benefit of $13 million on a pre-tax loss of $22 million, or an effective tax rate of 59.2%, compared to an income tax provision of $15 million on pre-tax income of $62 million, or an effective tax rate of 24.7%, for the three months ended March 31, 2016. Our effective tax rate in both periods is impacted by earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests in CFN and TNCLP, as our consolidated income tax (benefit) provision does not include a tax provision on the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests. As a result, in the first quarter of 2017, earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests of $14 million, which is included in the pre-tax loss, has the effect of increasing the effective tax rate, and, in the first quarter of 2016, earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests of $21 million, which is included in pre-tax income, has the effect of reducing the effective tax rate.
See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interests and Note 9—Income Taxes to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests decreased $7 million in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to lower net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest in CFN due to lower average selling prices for UAN and granular urea, higher natural gas costs and higher depreciation as a result of the completion of our capacity expansion projects. This decrease is partially offset by higher net earnings attributable to the 24.7% publicly held limited partner interests in TNCLP.
Diluted Net (Loss) Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders
Diluted net (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders decreased $0.21 to diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $0.10 in the first quarter of 2017 from diluted net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders of $0.11 in the first quarter of 2016. This decrease is due primarily to lower gross margin primarily driven by the impact of lower selling prices due to the nitrogen oversupply.
Operating Results by Business Segment
Our reportable segments consist of ammonia, granular urea, UAN, AN and Other. These segments are differentiated by products. Our management uses gross margin to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Total other operating costs and expenses (consisting of selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating—net) and non-operating expenses (interest and income taxes), are centrally managed and are not included in the measurement of segment profitability reviewed by management.
The following table presents summary operating results by business segment:
 
Ammonia
 
Granular
Urea(1)
 
UAN(1)
 
AN(1)
 
Other(1)
 
Consolidated
 
(in millions, except percentages)
Three months ended March 31, 2017
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Net sales
$
282

 
$
238

 
$
317

 
$
125

 
$
75

 
$
1,037

Cost of sales
265

 
213

 
282

 
106

 
65

 
931

Gross margin
$
17

 
$
25

 
$
35

 
$
19

 
$
10

 
$
106

Gross margin percentage
6.0
%
 
10.5
%
 
11.0
%
 
15.2
%
 
13.3
%
 
10.2
%
Three months ended March 31, 2016
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 

Net sales
$
267

 
$
235

 
$
309

 
$
125

 
$
68

 
$
1,004

Cost of sales
204

 
175

 
231

 
112

 
65

 
787

Gross margin
$
63

 
$
60

 
$
78

 
$
13

 
$
3

 
$
217

Gross margin percentage
23.6
%
 
25.5
%
 
25.2
%
 
10.4
%
 
4.4
%
 
21.6
%
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) 
The cost of products that are upgraded into other products is transferred at cost into the upgraded product results.

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Table of Contents

Ammonia Segment
Our ammonia segment produces anhydrous ammonia (ammonia), which is our most concentrated nitrogen fertilizer as it contains 82% nitrogen. The results of our ammonia segment consist of sales of ammonia to external customers. In addition, ammonia is the "basic" nitrogen product that we upgrade into other nitrogen products such as granular urea, UAN and AN. We produce ammonia at all of our nitrogen manufacturing complexes.
The following table presents summary operating data for our ammonia segment:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 v. 2016
 
(in millions, except as noted)
Net sales
$
282

 
$
267

 
$
15

 
6
 %
Cost of sales
265

 
204

 
61

 
30
 %
Gross margin
$
17

 
$
63

 
$
(46
)
 
(73
)%
Gross margin percentage
6.0
%
 
23.6
%
 
(17.6
)%
 
 
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
920

 
737

 
183

 
25
 %
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)
754

 
605

 
149

 
25
 %
Average selling price per product ton
$
307

 
$
362

 
$
(55
)
 
(15
)%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)
$
374

 
$
441

 
$
(67
)
 
(15
)%
Gross margin per product ton
$
18

 
$
85

 
$
(67
)
 
(79
)%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
$
23

 
$
104

 
$
(81
)
 
(78
)%
Depreciation and amortization
$
44

 
$
21

 
$
23

 
110
 %
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives
$
17

 
$
7

 
$
10

 
143
 %
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) 
Ammonia represents 82% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the equivalent tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
First Quarter of 2017 Compared to First Quarter of 2016
Net Sales.    Total net sales in the ammonia segment increased by $15 million, or 6%, in the first quarter of 2017 from the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to a 25% increase in sales volume partially offset by a 15% decrease in average selling prices. Higher production from the completion of our capacity expansion projects led to an increase in the amount of ammonia available for sale to support increased exports and higher demand from an early start to the 2017 spring application season due to favorable soil and weather conditions in the Southern Plains and Midwest regions of the United States. Selling prices declined due to continued excess global nitrogen supply and the impact of increased exports at lower selling prices.
Cost of Sales.    Cost of sales per ton in our ammonia segment averaged $289 in the first quarter of 2017, a 4% increase from $277 per ton in the same quarter of 2016. The increase was due primarily to higher depreciation as a result of the new ammonia plants at our Donaldsonville and Port Neal facilities, a higher unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives and higher realized natural gas costs, partially offset by the impact of overhead efficiencies due to higher production volume. Depreciation and amortization per ton in our ammonia segment in the first quarter of 2017 was $48 compared to $28 in the first quarter of 2016.


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Table of Contents

Granular Urea Segment
Our granular urea segment produces granular urea, which contains 46% nitrogen. Produced from ammonia and carbon dioxide, it has the highest nitrogen content of any of our solid nitrogen fertilizers. Granular urea is produced at our Courtright, Ontario; Donaldsonville, Louisiana; Medicine Hat, Alberta; and Port Neal, Iowa nitrogen complexes.
The following table presents summary operating data for our granular urea segment:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 v. 2016
 
(in millions, except as noted)
Net sales
$
238

 
$
235

 
$
3

 
1
 %
Cost of sales
213

 
175

 
38

 
22
 %
Gross margin
$
25

 
$
60

 
$
(35
)
 
(58
)%
Gross margin percentage
10.5
%
 
25.5
%
 
(15.0
)%
 
 
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
958

 
919

 
39

 
4
 %
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)
441

 
423

 
18

 
4
 %
Average selling price per product ton
$
248

 
$
256

 
$
(8
)
 
(3
)%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)
$
540

 
$
556

 
$
(16
)
 
(3
)%
Gross margin per product ton
$
26

 
$
65

 
$
(39
)
 
(60
)%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
$
57

 
$
142

 
$
(85
)
 
(60
)%
Depreciation and amortization
$
53

 
$
25

 
$
28

 
112
 %
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives
$
14

 
$
6

 
$
8

 
133
 %
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) 
Granular urea represents 46% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
First Quarter of 2017 Compared to First Quarter of 2016
Net Sales.    Net sales in the granular urea segment increased $3 million, or 1%, in the first quarter of 2017 from the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to a 4% increase in sales volume partially offset by a 3% decrease in average selling prices. Sales volume was higher due primarily to increased production available as a result of our expanded urea capacity at our Port Neal, Iowa complex that came on line in the fourth quarter of 2016. Average selling prices decreased to $248 per ton in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $256 per ton in the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to the excess global nitrogen supply, including a higher level of imports, which pressured selling prices downward.
Cost of Sales.    Cost of sales per ton in our granular urea segment averaged $222 in the first quarter of 2017, a 16% increase from $191 per ton in the same quarter of 2016. The increase was due primarily to higher depreciation as a result of the new granular urea plant at our Port Neal facility, higher realized natural gas costs and a higher unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016, partially offset by the impact of overhead efficiencies due to higher production volume. Depreciation and amortization per ton in our granular urea segment in the first quarter of 2017 was $55 compared to $27 in the first quarter of 2016.


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Table of Contents

UAN Segment
Our UAN segment produces urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN). UAN, a liquid fertilizer product with a nitrogen content that typically ranges from 28% to 32%, is produced by combining urea and ammonium nitrate. UAN is produced at our nitrogen complexes in Courtright, Ontario; Donaldsonville, Louisiana; Port Neal, Iowa; Verdigris, Oklahoma; Woodward, Oklahoma; and Yazoo City, Mississippi.
The following table presents summary operating data for our UAN segment:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 v. 2016
 
(in millions, except as noted)
Net sales
$
317

 
$
309

 
$
8

 
3
 %
Cost of sales
282

 
231

 
51

 
22
 %
Gross margin
$
35

 
$
78

 
$
(43
)
 
(55
)%
Gross margin percentage
11.0
%
 
25.2
%
 
(14.2
)%
 
 
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
1,849

 
1,452

 
397

 
27
 %
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)
584

 
457

 
127

 
28
 %
Average selling price per product ton
$
171

 
$
213

 
$
(42
)
 
(20
)%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)
$
543

 
$
676

 
$
(133
)
 
(20
)%
Gross margin per product ton
$
19

 
$
54

 
$
(35
)
 
(65
)%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
$
60

 
$
171

 
$
(111
)
 
(65
)%
Depreciation and amortization
$
65

 
$
58

 
$
7

 
12
 %
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives
$
16

 
$
6

 
$
10

 
167
 %
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) 
UAN represents between 28% and 32% of nitrogen content, depending on the concentration specified by the customer. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
First Quarter of 2017 Compared to First Quarter of 2016
Net Sales.    Net sales in the UAN segment increased $8 million, or 3%, in the first quarter of 2017 from the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to a 27% increase in sales volume, partially offset by a 20% decrease in average selling prices. Sales volume was higher due to a greater number of tons available for sale due to new UAN capacity at our Donaldsonville nitrogen complex and higher inventory levels entering 2017 compared to the prior year period. Average selling prices decreased to $171 per ton in the first quarter of 2017 compared to $213 per ton in the first quarter of 2016. UAN selling prices were lower due to excess global nitrogen supply, which pressured selling prices downward. Increases in UAN exports at lower selling prices also negatively impacted our average selling price.
Cost of Sales.    Cost of sales per ton in our UAN segment averaged $152 in the first quarter of 2017, a 4% decrease from $159 per ton in the first quarter of 2016. The decrease was due primarily to the impact of overhead efficiencies due to higher production volume in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016. This was partially offset by the impact of higher realized natural gas costs and a higher unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives in the first quarter of 2017.



40

Table of Contents

AN Segment
Our AN segment produces ammonium nitrate (AN). AN is a nitrogen-based product with a nitrogen content between 29% and 35%. AN is used as nitrogen fertilizer and is also used by industrial customers for commercial explosives and blasting systems. AN is produced at our nitrogen complexes in Yazoo City, Mississippi and Ince and Billingham, United Kingdom.
The following table presents summary operating data for our AN segment:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 v. 2016
 
(in millions, except as noted)
Net sales
$
125

 
$
125

 
$

 
 %
Cost of sales
106

 
112

 
(6
)
 
(5
)%
Gross margin
$
19

 
$
13

 
$
6

 
46
 %
Gross margin percentage
15.2
%
 
10.4
%
 
4.8
%
 
 
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
568

 
558

 
10

 
2
 %
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)
191

 
188

 
3

 
2
 %
Average selling price per product ton
$
220

 
$
224

 
$
(4
)
 
(2
)%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)
$
654

 
$
665

 
$
(11
)
 
(2
)%
Gross margin per product ton
$
33

 
$
23

 
$
10

 
43
 %
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
$
99

 
$
69

 
$
30

 
43
 %
Depreciation and amortization
$
19

 
$
22

 
$
(3
)
 
(14
)%
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives
$
2

 
$
1

 
$
1

 
100
 %
_______________________________________________________________________________

(1) 
Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
First Quarter of 2017 Compared to First Quarter of 2016
Net Sales.    Total net sales in our AN segment were unchanged in the first quarter of 2017 from the first quarter of 2016 as higher sales volume, due to the commencement of a long-term supply agreement, and higher average selling prices were offset by the impact of foreign exchange rate changes between the U.S. dollar and the British pound.
Cost of Sales.    Total cost of sales per ton in our AN segment averaged $187 in the first quarter of 2017, a 7% decrease from $201 per ton in the first quarter of 2016, due primarily to the impact of foreign exchange rate changes between the U.S. dollar and the British pound, as well as lower freight costs, depreciation, and other manufacturing costs, partially offset by higher realized natural gas costs.

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Table of Contents

Other Segment
Our Other segment primarily includes the following products:
Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is an aqueous urea solution typically made with 32.5% high-purity urea and 67.5% deionized water.
Urea liquor is a liquid product that we sell in concentrations of 40%, 50% and 70% urea as a chemical intermediate.
Nitric acid is a nitrogen-based product with a nitrogen content of 22.2%.
Compound fertilizer products (NPKs) are solid granular fertilizer products for which the nutrient content is a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
The following table presents summary operating data for our Other segment:
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017 v. 2016
 
(in millions, except as noted)
Net sales
$
75

 
$
68

 
$
7

 
10
 %
Cost of sales
65

 
65

 

 
 %
Gross margin
$
10

 
$
3

 
$
7

 
N/M

Gross margin percentage
13.3
%
 
4.4
%
 
8.9
%
 
 
Sales volume by product tons (000s)
450

 
385

 
65

 
17
 %
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)
88

 
73

 
15

 
21
 %
Average selling price per product ton
$
167

 
$
177

 
$
(10
)
 
(6
)%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)
$
852

 
$
932

 
$
(80
)
 
(9
)%
Gross margin per product ton
$
22

 
$
8

 
$
14

 
175
 %
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)
$
114

 
$
41

 
$
73

 
178
 %
Depreciation and amortization
$
12

 
$
10

 
$
2

 
20
 %
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives
$
4

 
$
1

 
$
3

 
N/M

_______________________________________________________________________________
N/M—Not Meaningful
(1) 
Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
First Quarter of 2017 Compared to First Quarter of 2016
Net Sales.    Total net sales in our Other segment increased by $7 million, or 10%, in the first quarter of 2017 from the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to a 17% increase in sales volume partially offset by a 6% decrease in average selling prices. The increase in our Other sales volume was due to an increase in DEF sales volume as the North American DEF market continued to grow. The decline in average selling prices is due to excess global nitrogen supply weighing on global nitrogen fertilizer selling prices.
Cost of Sales.    Cost of sales per ton in our Other segment averaged $145 in the first quarter of 2017, a 14% decrease from $169 per ton in the first quarter of 2016 due primarily to higher production volume in the first quarter of 2017 compared to the first quarter of 2016 and the impact of foreign exchange rate changes between the U.S. dollar and the British pound, partially offset by higher realized natural gas costs.

42

Table of Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary uses of cash are generally for operating costs, working capital, capital expenditures, debt service, investments, taxes, share repurchases and dividends. Our working capital requirements are affected by several factors, including demand for our products, selling prices, raw material costs, freight costs and seasonal factors inherent in the business. Generally, our primary source of cash is cash from operations, which includes cash generated by customer advances. We may also from time to time access the capital markets or engage in borrowings under our credit agreements.
In 2016, we completed our capacity expansion projects at Donaldsonville, Louisiana and Port Neal, Iowa that were originally announced in 2012. These projects provided us with an increase of approximately 25% in production capacity and had a total capital cost of $5.2 billion. The completion of our capacity expansion projects will reduce what had been a substantial use of liquidity in recent years. See discussion under "Overview of CF Holdings—Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Depreciation and Amortization," above, and "—Capital Spending," below, for further information on these projects.
A significant portion of the capital assets that were constructed as part of the capacity expansion projects is expected to qualify for bonus depreciation under the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (the PATH Act). Under the provisions of the PATH Act, eligible capital additions will be subject to 50% bonus depreciation. We intend to file a claim to carry back the 2016 federal tax loss to prior periods and receive a refund of federal taxes paid in those prior years. As of March 31, 2017, we have prepaid income taxes of $844 million, which includes approximately $816 million for the carryback of certain U.S. tax losses from 2016 to prior tax periods. See "—Realization of 2016 Tax Assets Resulting From Bonus Depreciation," below.
At March 31, 2017, our balance of cash and cash equivalents was $1.31 billion and we were in compliance with all applicable covenant requirements under our Revolving Credit Agreement, Public Senior Notes and Senior Secured Notes.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We had cash and cash equivalents of $1.31 billion and $1.16 billion as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with original maturities of three months or less. Under our short-term investment policy, we may invest our cash balances, either directly or through mutual funds, in several types of investment-grade securities, including notes and bonds issued by governmental entities or corporations. Securities issued by governmental entities include those issued directly by the U.S. and Canadian federal governments; those issued by state, local or other governmental entities; and those guaranteed by entities affiliated with governmental entities.
Capital Spending
We make capital expenditures to sustain our asset base, increase our capacity, improve plant efficiency and comply with various environmental, health and safety requirements. Capital expenditures totaled $94 million in the first three months of 2017 compared to $676 million in the first three months of 2016, with the decrease primarily due to the completion in 2016 of our capacity expansion projects at Donaldsonville, Louisiana and Port Neal, Iowa.
The total cost of the capacity expansion projects of $5.2 billion includes approximately $183 million of costs for work performed in 2016, which were accrued but unpaid as of December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017. See discussion under "—Projected Capital Spending," below, for further information.
Projected Capital Spending
New capital expenditures for 2017 are estimated to be in the range of approximately $400 to $450 million. Additionally, as of December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2017, we had approximately $183 million in costs accrued for work completed in 2016 related to the capacity expansion projects. Most of this unpaid amount is the subject of disputes with certain contractors and vendors. Actual cash expenditures in 2017 will also reflect any payments for these capacity expansion project amounts when they occur.
Planned capital expenditures are subject to change due to delays in regulatory approvals or permitting, unanticipated increases in cost, changes in scope and completion time, performance of third parties, adverse weather, defects in materials and workmanship, labor or material shortages, transportation constraints, acceleration or delays in the timing of the work and other unforeseen difficulties.

43

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Realization of 2016 Tax Assets Resulting From Bonus Depreciation
The PATH Act permits bonus depreciation on certain eligible capital additions in the year the assets are placed in service. Under the provisions of the PATH Act, eligible capital additions are subject to 50% bonus depreciation in the year the asset is placed in service. A significant portion of the capital assets constructed as part of the Donaldsonville, Louisiana and Port Neal, Iowa capacity expansion projects is expected to qualify for 50% bonus depreciation. Given the size of the bonus depreciation tax deduction, we generated a substantial federal tax loss in 2016. We intend to file a claim to carry back the 2016 federal tax loss to prior income tax years and receive a refund of federal taxes paid in those prior years. We currently estimate that the amount of this refund will be approximately $816 million and expect to receive it in the third quarter of 2017. As of March 31, 2017, we have prepaid income taxes in the amount of $844 million.
Debt
Revolving Credit Agreement
We have a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the Revolving Credit Agreement) providing for a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million with a maturity of September 18, 2020. The Revolving Credit Agreement includes a letter of credit sub-limit of $125 million. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes. CF Industries may designate as borrowers one or more wholly owned subsidiaries that are organized in the United States or any state thereof, or the District of Columbia.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement may be denominated in dollars, Canadian dollars, euro and British pounds, and bear interest at a per annum rate equal to an applicable eurocurrency rate or base rate plus, in either case, a specified margin, and the borrowers are required to pay an undrawn commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments under the Revolving Credit Agreement and customary letter of credit fees. The specified margin and the amount of the commitment fee depend on CF Holdings’ credit rating at the time.
As of March 31, 2017, we had excess borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement of $695 million (net of outstanding letters of credit of $55 million). There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016, or during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Maximum borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $150 million, with a weighted-average annual interest rate of 1.85%.
The Revolving Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants. As of March 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Letters of Credit
In addition to the letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement, as described above, we have also entered into a bilateral agreement with capacity to issue letters of credit up to $75 million. As of March 31, 2017, approximately $68 million of letters of credit were outstanding under this agreement.

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Senior Notes
Long-term debt presented on our consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 consisted of the following Public Senior Notes (unsecured) and Senior Secured Notes:
 
Effective Interest Rate
 
March 31,
2017
 
December 31,
2016
 
 
Principal
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
Principal
 
Carrying Amount (1)
 
 
 
(in millions)
Public Senior Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
6.875% due May 2018
7.344%
 
$
800

 
$
796

 
$
800

 
$
795

7.125% due May 2020
7.529%
 
800

 
791

 
800

 
791

3.450% due June 2023
3.562%
 
750

 
745

 
750

 
745

5.150% due March 2034
5.279%
 
750

 
739

 
750

 
739

4.950% due June 2043
5.031%
 
750

 
741

 
750

 
741

5.375% due March 2044
5.465%
 
750

 
741

 
750

 
741

Senior Secured Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.400% due December 2021
3.782%
 
500

 
492

 
500

 
491

4.500% due December 2026
4.759%
 
750

 
735

 
750

 
735

Total long-term debt
 
 
$
5,850

 
$
5,780

 
$
5,850

 
$
5,778

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) 
Carrying amount is net of unamortized debt discount and deferred debt issuance costs. Total unamortized debt discount was $12 million as of both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, and total deferred debt issuance costs were $58 million and $60 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. 
Public Senior Notes
Under the indentures (including the applicable supplemental indentures) governing our senior notes due 2018, 2020, 2023, 2034, 2043 and 2044 (the Public Senior Notes), each series of Public Senior Notes is guaranteed by CF Holdings, and, in connection with the effectiveness of the November 2016 amendment to our Revolving Credit Agreement, CF Holdings' wholly owned subsidiaries CF Industries Enterprises, Inc. (CFE) and CF Industries Sales, LLC (CFS) became subsidiary guarantors of the Public Senior Notes.
Interest on the Public Senior Notes is payable semiannually, and the Public Senior Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at specified make-whole redemption prices.
Senior Secured Notes
On November 21, 2016, CF Industries issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.400% senior secured notes due 2021 (the 2021 Notes) and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 4.500% senior secured notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes, and together with the 2021 Notes, the Senior Secured Notes). The net proceeds, after deducting discounts and offering expenses, from the issuance and sale of the Senior Secured Notes were approximately $1.23 billion. CF Industries used approximately $1.18 billion of the net proceeds for the prepayment (including payment of a make-whole amount of approximately $170 million and accrued interest) in full of the outstanding $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the senior notes 2022, 2025 and 2027 (Private Senior Notes) issued by CF Industries on September 24, 2015.
Interest on the Senior Secured Notes is payable semiannually on December 1 and June 1 beginning on June 1, 2017, and the Senior Secured Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at specified make-whole redemption prices.


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Forward Sales and Customer Advances
We offer our customers the opportunity to purchase products from us on a forward basis at prices and on delivery dates we propose. Therefore, our reported fertilizer selling prices and margins may differ from market spot prices and margins available at the time of shipment.
Customer advances, which typically represent a portion of the contract's sales value, are received shortly after the contract is executed, with any remaining unpaid amount generally being collected by the time the product is shipped, thereby reducing or eliminating the accounts receivable related to such sales. Any cash payments received in advance from customers in connection with forward sales contracts are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a current liability until related orders are shipped and revenue is recognized. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had $184 million and $42 million, respectively, in customer advances on our consolidated balance sheets.
While customer advances are generally a significant source of liquidity, the level of forward sales contracts is affected by many factors including current market conditions and our customers' outlook of future market fundamentals. During periods of declining prices, such as the current environment, customers tend to delay purchasing fertilizer in anticipation that prices in the future will be lower than the current prices. If the level of sales under our forward sales programs were to decrease in the future, our cash received from customer advances would likely decrease and our accounts receivable balances would likely increase. Additionally, borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement could become necessary. Due to the volatility inherent in our business and changing customer expectations, we cannot estimate the amount of future forward sales activity.
Under our forward sales programs, a customer may delay delivery of an order due to weather conditions or other factors. These delays generally subject the customer to potential charges for storage or may be grounds for termination of the contract by us. Such a delay in scheduled shipment or termination of a forward sales contract due to a customer's inability or unwillingness to perform may negatively impact our reported sales.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in prices for natural gas that will be purchased in the future. Natural gas is the largest and most volatile component of our manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based fertilizers. We also use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Because we use derivative instruments, volatility in reported quarterly earnings can result from the unrealized mark-to-market adjustments in the value of the derivatives. In the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized unrealized net mark-to-market losses on natural gas derivatives of $53 million and $21 million, respectively, which is reflected in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations.
Derivatives expose us to counterparties and the risks associated with their ability to meet the terms of the contracts. For derivatives that are in net asset positions, we are exposed to credit loss from nonperformance by the counterparties. We control our credit risk through the use of multiple counterparties that are multinational commercial banks, other major financial institutions or large energy companies, and, in most cases, the use of International Swaps Derivative Association (ISDA) agreements. The ISDA agreements are master netting arrangements commonly used for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives that mitigate exposure to counterparty credit risk, in part, by creating contractual rights of netting and setoff, the specifics of which vary from agreement to agreement.
The ISDA agreements to most of our derivative instruments contain credit-risk-related contingent features, such as cross default provisions and credit support thresholds. In the event of certain defaults or a credit ratings downgrade, our counterparty may request early termination and net settlement of certain derivative trades or may require us to collateralize derivatives in a net liability position. The Revolving Credit Agreement, at any time when it is secured, provides a cross collateral feature for those of our derivatives that are with counterparties that are party to, or affiliates of parties to, the Revolving Credit Agreement so that no separate collateral would be required for those counterparties in connection with such derivatives. In the event the Revolving Credit Agreement becomes unsecured, separate collateral could be required in connection with such derivatives.
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the aggregate fair value of the derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features in net liability positions was $13 million and zero, respectively, which also approximates the fair value of the maximum amount of additional collateral that would need to be posted or assets needed to settle the obligations if the credit-risk-related contingent features were triggered at the reporting dates. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had open natural gas derivative contracts for 149.4 million MMBtus and 183.0 million MMBtus, respectively. At both March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had no cash collateral on deposit with counterparties for derivative contracts. The credit support documents executed in connection with certain of our ISDA agreements generally provide us and our counterparties the right to set off collateral against amounts owing under the ISDA agreements upon the occurrence of a default or a specified termination event.

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Embedded Derivative Liability
Under the terms of our strategic venture with CHS, if our credit rating is reduced below certain levels by two of three specified credit rating agencies, we are required to make a non-refundable yearly payment of $5 million to CHS. The payment would continue on a yearly basis until the earlier of the date that our credit rating is upgraded to or above certain levels by two of three specified credit rating agencies or February 1, 2026. In the fourth quarter of 2016, as a result of a reduction in our credit rating, we made a $5 million payment to CHS.
This term of the strategic venture is recognized on our consolidated balance sheet as an embedded derivative and its value is included in other liabilities. See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interests to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for additional information.
The fair value of the embedded derivative liability as of March 31, 2017, is $27 million, which is included in other liabilities and other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. Included in other operating—net in our consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is a charge of $1 million to adjust the liability to fair value.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
We contributed $5 million to our pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Subsequent to March 31, 2017, on April 28, 2017, we made a voluntary contribution of approximately $59 million to our U.S. defined benefit pension plan. Over the remainder of 2017, we expect to contribute an additional $17 million to our pension plans, or a total of approximately $81 million for the full year 2017.
Distribution on Noncontrolling Interest in CFN
In the first quarter of 2017, the CFN Board of Managers approved semi-annual distribution payments in accordance with the CFN limited liability company agreement for the distribution period ended December 31, 2016. On January 31, 2017, CFN distributed $48 million to CHS for the distribution period ended December 31, 2016.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities during the first three months of 2017 was $356 million as compared to $346 million in the first three months of 2016. The $10 million increase resulted from favorable working capital changes partially offset by lower net earnings during the first three months of 2017. Favorable working capital changes during the first three months of 2017 included higher customer advances received compared to the prior year period as customers entered into forward sale contracts in preparation for the spring fertilization and planting season.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $85 million in the first three months of 2017 as compared to $662 million in the first three months of 2016. The $577 million decrease is primarily due to a decline in capital expenditures related to our capacity expansion projects in Donaldsonville, Louisiana and Port Neal, Iowa that were completed at the end of 2016. During the first three months of 2017, capital expenditures totaled $94 million compared to $676 million in the first three months of 2016.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $124 million in the first three months of 2017 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $2,717 million in the same period of 2016. In the first three months of 2016, CHS purchased a minority equity interest in CFN for $2.8 billion. Dividends paid on common stock in each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 were $70 million.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business to our contractual obligations as described in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017.

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have operating leases for certain property and equipment under various noncancelable agreements, including rail car leases and barge tow charters for the distribution of fertilizer. The rail car leases currently have minimum terms ranging from one to eleven years and the barge charter commitments currently have terms ranging from one to seven years. We also have terminal and warehouse storage agreements for our distribution system, some of which contain minimum throughput requirements. The storage agreements contain minimum terms ranging from one to five years and commonly contain automatic annual renewal provisions thereafter unless canceled by either party. See Note 24—Leases in the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017 for additional information concerning leases.
We do not have any other off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There were no changes to our significant accounting policies or estimates during the first three months of 2017.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 2—New Accounting Standards to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
From time to time, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as in other written reports and oral statements, we make forward-looking statements that are not statements of historical fact and may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may also relate to our prospects, future developments and business strategies. We have used the words "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "will," or "would" and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions, to identify forward-looking statements in this document. These forward-looking statements are made based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data, our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries and markets in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions concerning future events affecting us. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, our actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. We want to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any responsibility to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this document. Additionally, we do not undertake any responsibility to provide updates regarding the occurrence of any unanticipated events which may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this document.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed under "Risk Factors" in Item 1A in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017. Such factors include, among others:
the cyclical nature of our business and the agricultural sector;
the global commodity nature of our fertilizer products, the impact of global supply and demand on our selling prices, and the intense global competition from other fertilizer producers;
conditions in the U.S. and European agricultural industry;
the volatility of natural gas prices in North America and Europe;
difficulties in securing the supply and delivery of raw materials, increases in their costs or delays or interruptions in their delivery;
reliance on third party providers of transportation services and equipment;
the significant risks and hazards involved in producing and handling our products against which we may not be fully insured;
our ability to manage our indebtedness;
operating and financial restrictions imposed on us by the agreements governing our senior secured indebtedness;
risks associated with our incurrence of additional indebtedness;
our ability to maintain compliance with covenants under the agreements governing our indebtedness;
downgrades of our credit ratings;
risks associated with cyber security;
weather conditions;
risks associated with our ability to utilize our tax net operating losses and other tax assets, including the risk that the use of such tax benefits is limited by an "ownership change"
risks associated with changes in tax laws and disagreements with taxing authorities;
risks associated with expansions of our business, including unanticipated adverse consequences and the significant resources that could be required;
potential liabilities and expenditures related to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and permitting requirements;
future regulatory restrictions and requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions;
the seasonality of the fertilizer business;
the impact of changing market conditions on our forward sales programs;
risks involving derivatives and the effectiveness of our risk measurement and hedging activities;
our reliance on a limited number of key facilities;
risks associated with the operation or management of the CHS strategic venture, risks and uncertainties relating to the market prices of the fertilizer products that are the subject of our supply agreement with CHS over the life of the supply agreement, and the risk that any challenges related to the CHS strategic venture will harm our other business relationships;
risks associated with our PLNL joint venture;
acts of terrorism and regulations to combat terrorism;
risks associated with international operations; and
deterioration of global market and economic conditions.

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ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
We are exposed to the impact of changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.
Commodity Prices
Our net sales, cash flows and estimates of future cash flows related to nitrogen-based fertilizers are sensitive to changes in fertilizer prices as well as changes in the prices of natural gas and other raw materials unless these costs have been fixed or hedged. A $1.00 per MMBtu change in the price of natural gas would change the cost to produce a ton of ammonia, granular urea, UAN (32%), and AN by approximately $32, $22, $14 and $15, respectively.
Natural gas is the largest and most volatile component of the manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based fertilizers. We manage the risk of changes in natural gas prices primarily with the use of derivative financial instruments covering periods through December 2018. The derivative instruments that we use are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps and natural gas options. These derivatives settle using primarily NYMEX futures price indexes, which represent the basis for fair value at any given time. The contracts represent anticipated natural gas needs for future periods and settlements are scheduled to coincide with anticipated natural gas purchases during those future periods.
As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had open natural gas derivative contracts for 149.4 million MMBtus and 183.0 million MMBtus, respectively. A $1.00 per MMBtu increase in the forward curve prices of natural gas at March 31, 2017 would result in a favorable change in the fair value of these derivative positions of $136 million, and a $1.00 per MMBtu decrease in the forward curve prices of natural gas would change their fair value unfavorably by $136 million.
From time to time we may purchase nitrogen products on the open market to augment or replace production at our facilities.
Interest Rate Fluctuations
As of March 31, 2017, we had eight series of senior notes totaling $5.85 billion of principal outstanding with maturity dates of May 1, 2018, May 1, 2020, December 1, 2021, June 1, 2023, December 1, 2026, March 15, 2034, June 1, 2043 and March 15, 2044. The senior notes have fixed interest rates. As of March 31, 2017, the carrying value and fair value of our senior notes was approximately $5.78 billion and $5.67 billion, respectively.
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear current market rates of interest and we are subject to interest rate risk on such borrowings. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016, or during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Maximum borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2016 were $150 million.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
From the fourth quarter of 2012 through 2016, we had entered into euro/U.S. dollar derivative hedging transactions related to the euro-denominated construction costs associated with our capacity expansion projects at our Donaldsonville, Louisiana and Port Neal, Iowa facilities. All of these foreign currency derivatives settled prior to December 31, 2016.
We are directly exposed to changes in the value of the Canadian dollar, the British pound and the euro. Outside of the transactions described above, we generally do not maintain any exchange rate derivatives or hedges related to these currencies.



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ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
        (a)    Disclosure Controls and Procedures.  The Company's management, with the participation of the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in (i) ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and (ii) ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
        (b)    Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting.  There have not been any changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended March 31, 2017 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
West Fertilizer Co.
On April 17, 2013, there was a fire and explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. fertilizer storage and distribution facility in West, Texas. According to published reports, 15 people were killed and approximately 200 people were injured in the incident, and the fire and explosion damaged or destroyed a number of homes and buildings around the facility. Various subsidiaries of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (the CF Entities) have been named as defendants along with other companies in lawsuits filed in 2013, 2014 and 2015 in the District Court of McLennan County, Texas by the City of West, individual residents of the County and other parties seeking recovery for damages allegedly sustained as a result of the explosion. The cases have been consolidated for discovery and pretrial proceedings in the District Court of McLennan County under the caption "In re: West Explosion Cases." The two-year statute of limitations expired on April 17, 2015. As of that date, over 400 plaintiffs had filed claims, including at least 9 entities, 325 individuals, and 80 insurance companies. Plaintiffs allege various theories of negligence, strict liability, and breach of warranty under Texas law. Although we do not own or operate the facility or directly sell our products to West Fertilizer Co., products that the CF Entities have manufactured and sold to others have been delivered to the facility and may have been stored at the West facility at the time of the incident.
The Court granted in part and denied in part the CF Entities' Motions for Summary Judgment in August 2015. Thirty-four cases have been resolved pursuant to confidential settlements fully funded by insurance. An additional sixty-two cases were recently resolved pursuant to confidential settlements that the Company expects to be fully funded by insurance, five of which were part of the group of cases scheduled to proceed to trial on April 3, 2017. The remaining cases are in various stages of discovery and pre-trial proceedings. The trial previously scheduled for April 3, 2017 was reset to begin in August 2017. We believe we have strong legal and factual defenses and intend to continue defending the CF Entities vigorously in the pending lawsuits. The Company cannot provide a range of reasonably possible loss due to the lack of damages discovery for many of the remaining claims and the uncertain nature of this litigation, including uncertainties around the potential allocation of responsibility by a jury to other defendants or responsible third parties. The recognition of a potential loss in the future in the West Fertilizer Co. litigation could negatively affect our results in the period of recognition. However, based upon currently available information, including available insurance coverage, we do not believe that this litigation will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
The following table sets forth stock repurchases for each of the three months of the quarter ended March 31, 2017.
 
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period
Total
Number
of Shares
(or Units)
Purchased (1)
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
(or Unit)
 
Total Number of
Shares (or Units)
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number (or
Approximate Dollar
Value) of Shares (or
Units) that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
(in thousands)
January 1, 2017 - January 31, 2017
314

 
$
31.87

 

 
$

February 1, 2017 - February 28, 2017

 

 

 

March 1, 2017 - March 31, 2017
9,825

 
30.95

 

 

Total
10,139

 
$
30.98

 

 
 

_______________________________________________________________________________
(1) 
Represents shares withheld to pay for employee tax obligations upon the vesting of restricted stock units.

ITEM 6.    EXHIBIT
A list of exhibits filed with this Report on Form 10-Q (or incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed or furnished) is provided in the Exhibit Index on page 54 of this report.


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
CF Industries Holdings, Inc.
 
Date: May 4, 2017
By:
/s/ W. ANTHONY WILL
 
 
 
W. Anthony Will
 President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
Date: May 4, 2017
By:
/s/ DENNIS P. KELLEHER
 
 
 
Dennis P. Kelleher
 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1

Form of Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement
31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101

The following financial information from CF Industries Holdings, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (1) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (2) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (3) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (4) Consolidated Statements of Equity, (5) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (6) the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements




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