CF Industries Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549


FORM			10-Q


(Mark One)
☒						QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020





OR
☐						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

20-2697511

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

4 Parkway North, Suite 400

60015

Deerfield,

Illinois

(Zip Code)

(Address of principal executive offices)

(847) 405-2400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

common stock, par value $0.01 per share

New York Stock Exchange

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 ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

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,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer

☒

Accelerated filer

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

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. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

213,916,195 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding at November 2, 2020.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I.	Financial Information
	Item 1.	Financial Statements (unaudited)
		Consolidated Statements of Operations	1
		Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	2
		Consolidated Balance Sheets	3
		Consolidated Statements of Equity	4
		Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	6
		Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements	7
	Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	24
	Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	48
	Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	49
PART II.	Other Information
	Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	49
	Item 1A.	Risk Factors	51
	Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	52
	Item 6.	Exhibits	52

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net sales	$	847	$	1,038	$	3,022	$	3,541
Cost of sales	764		810		2,401		2,594
Gross margin	83		228		621		947
Selling, general and administrative expenses	49		56		154		176

Other operating—net	(4)		(30)		8		(63)
Total other operating costs and expenses	45		26		162		113

Equity in earnings (losses) of operating affiliate	2		(14)		8		(6)
Operating earnings	40		188		467		828
Interest expense	48		63		141		182
Interest income	—		(4)		(18)		(12)
Other non-operating—net	1		(4)		(2)		(7)
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(9)		133		346		665
Income tax (benefit) provision	(13)		19		33		113

Net earnings	4		114		313		552
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	32		49		83		114
Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders	$	(28)	$	65	$	230	$	438
Net (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Basic	$	(0.13)	$	0.29	$	1.07	$	1.98
Diluted	$	(0.13)	$	0.29	$	1.07	$	1.97
Weighted-average common shares outstanding:
Basic	213.9		219.0		215.0		221.2
Diluted	213.9		220.7		215.3		222.5
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.30	$	0.30	$	0.90	$	0.90

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Net earnings	$	4	$	114	$	313	$	552
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment—net of taxes	41		(32)		(30)		(8)


Defined benefit plans—net of taxes	(3)		2		8		5
	38		(30)		(22)		(3)
Comprehensive income	42		84		291		549
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	32		49		83		114
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders	$	10	$	35	$	208	$	435

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


	(Unaudited)
	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in millions, except share and per share amounts)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	553	$	287

Accounts receivable—net	234		242
Inventories	298		351

Prepaid income taxes	53		71
Other current assets	33		23
Total current assets	1,171		974
Property, plant and equipment—net	7,724		8,170
Investment in affiliate	86		88
Goodwill	2,357		2,365
Operating lease right-of-use assets	284		280
Other assets	309		295
Total assets	$	11,931	$	12,172
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	424	$	437
Income taxes payable	3		1
Customer advances	143		119
Current operating lease liabilities	93		90

Other current liabilities	18		18
Total current liabilities	681		665
Long-term debt	3,960		3,957
Deferred income taxes	1,201		1,246
Operating lease liabilities	195		193
Other liabilities	419		474
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, 2020—213,937,036 shares issued and 2019—216,023,826 shares issued	2		2
Paid-in capital	1,308		1,303
Retained earnings	1,905		1,958
Treasury stock—at cost, 2020—27,392 shares and 2019—0 shares	(1)		—
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(388)		(366)
Total stockholders’ equity	2,826		2,897
Noncontrolling interest	2,649		2,740
Total equity	5,475		5,637
Total liabilities and equity	$	11,931	$	12,172

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 Loss		Total Stockholders’ Equity		Noncontrolling Interest		Total Equity
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Balance as of June 30, 2020	$	2	$	—	$	1,300	$	1,997	$	(426)	$	2,873	$	2,703	$	5,576
Net (loss) earnings	—		—		—		(28)		—		(28)		32		4
Other comprehensive income	—		—		—		—		38		38		—		38


Acquisition of treasury stock under employee stock plans	—		(1)		—		—		—		(1)		—		(1)
Issuance of $0.01 par value common stock under employee stock plans	—		—		1		—		—		1		—		1

Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		7		—		—		7		—		7

Cash dividends ($0.30 per share)	—		—		—		(64)		—		(64)		—		(64)



Distribution declared to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		(86)		(86)

Balance as of September 30, 2020	$	2	$	(1)	$	1,308	$	1,905	$	(388)	$	2,826	$	2,649	$	5,475

Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	2	$	—	$	1,303	$	1,958	$	(366)	$	2,897	$	2,740	$	5,637
Net earnings	—		—		—		230		—		230		83		313
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—		—		(22)		(22)		—		(22)
Purchases of treasury stock	—		(100)		—		—		—		(100)		—		(100)
Retirement of treasury stock	—		107		(17)		(90)		—		—		—		—
Acquisition of treasury stock under employee stock plans	—		(10)		—		—		—		(10)		—		(10)
Issuance of $0.01 par value common stock under employee stock plans	—		2		2		—		—		4		—		4

Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		20		—		—		20		—		20

Cash dividends ($0.90 per share)	—		—		—		(193)		—		(193)		—		(193)



Distributions declared to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		(174)		(174)

Balance as of September 30, 2020	$	2	$	(1)	$	1,308	$	1,905	$	(388)	$	2,826	$	2,649	$	5,475

(Continued)

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(Continued) (Unaudited)


	Common Stockholders
	$0.01 Par Value Common Stock		Treasury Stock		Paid-In Capital		Retained Earnings		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss		Total Stockholders’ Equity		Noncontrolling Interest		Total Equity
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Balance as of June 30, 2019	$	2	$	(2)	$	1,299	$	2,111	$	(344)	$	3,066	$	2,752	$	5,818


Net earnings	—		—		—		65		—		65		49		114
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—		—		(30)		(30)		—		(30)
Purchases of treasury stock	—		(72)		—		—		—		(72)		—		(72)


Issuance of $0.01 par value common stock under employee stock plans	—		—		11		—		—		11		—		11

Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		7		—		—		7		—		7

Cash dividends ($0.30 per share)	—		—		—		(67)		—		(67)		—		(67)



Distribution declared to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		(100)		(100)

Balance as of September 30, 2019	$	2	$	(74)	$	1,317	$	2,109	$	(374)	$	2,980	$	2,701	$	5,681

Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	2	$	(504)	$	1,368	$	2,463	$	(371)	$	2,958	$	2,773	$	5,731


Net earnings	—		—		—		438		—		438		114		552
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—		—		(3)		(3)		—		(3)
Purchases of treasury stock	—		(250)		—		—		—		(250)		—		(250)
Retirement of treasury stock	—		682		(90)		(592)		—		—		—		—
Acquisition of treasury stock under employee stock plans	—		(4)		—		—		—		(4)		—		(4)
Issuance of $0.01 par value common stock under employee stock plans	—		2		15		—		—		17		—		17

Stock-based compensation expense	—		—		24		—		—		24		—		24

Cash dividends ($0.90 per share)	—		—		—		(200)		—		(200)		—		(200)



Distributions declared to noncontrolling interest	—		—		—		—		—		—		(186)		(186)

Balance as of September 30, 2019	$	2	$	(74)	$	1,317	$	2,109	$	(374)	$	2,980	$	2,701	$	5,681

See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)


	Nine months ended September 30,
	2020		2019
	(in millions)
Operating Activities:
Net earnings	$	313	$	552
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	662		663
Deferred income taxes	(74)		116
Stock-based compensation expense	20		24

Unrealized net (gain) loss on natural gas derivatives	(12)		3
Unrealized loss on embedded derivative	2		3



Loss (gain) on disposal of property, plant and equipment	14		(43)
Undistributed (earnings) losses of affiliate—net of taxes	(2)		3
Changes in:
Accounts receivable—net	7		(79)
Inventories	29		17
Accrued and prepaid income taxes	50		12
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(42)		(67)
Customer advances	25		35
Other—net	(51)		(36)
Net cash provided by operating activities	941		1,203
Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment	(206)		(297)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	2		71


Distribution received from unconsolidated affiliate	1		—
Insurance proceeds for property, plant and equipment	2		15





Net cash used in investing activities	(201)		(211)
Financing Activities:

Proceeds from short-term borrowings	500		—
Repayments of short-term borrowings	(500)		—

Dividends paid on common stock	(193)		(200)

Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(174)		(186)
Purchases of treasury stock	(100)		(280)
Issuances of common stock under employee stock plans	4		17
Shares withheld for taxes	(10)		(4)

Net cash used in financing activities	(473)		(653)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1)		(2)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	266		337
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	287		682
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	553	$	1,019

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 a leading global manufacturer of hydrogen and nitrogen products for clean energy, emissions abatement, fertilizer, and other industrial applications. We operate manufacturing complexes in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, which are among the most cost-advantaged, efficient and flexible in the world, and an extensive storage, transportation and distribution network in North America. Our 3,000 employees focus on safe and reliable operations, environmental stewardship and disciplined capital and corporate management, driving our strategy to leverage and sustainably grow our hydrogen and nitrogen platform to serve customers and create long-term shareholder value. Our principal customers are cooperatives, independent fertilizer distributors, traders, wholesalers and industrial users. Our principal nitrogen fertilizer products are anhydrous ammonia (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 granular fertilizer products for which the nutrient content is a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.

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, 2019, 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2020. 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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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

2. New Accounting Standards

On January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2018-15—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract. This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. This ASU does not affect the accounting for the service element of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract. We adopted this ASU prospectively. The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements; however, it could have an effect on future financial results if significant new software involving a cloud computing agreement is implemented. In this case, a certain portion of the implementation costs would be deferred and expensed over the term of the cloud computing arrangement.

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued ASU No. 2019-12—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU adds new guidance to simplify accounting for income taxes, changes the accounting for certain income tax transactions and makes minor improvements to the codification. The amendments are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption of this ASU is permitted. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

3. Revenue Recognition

We track our revenue by product and by geography. See Note 16—Segment Disclosures for our revenue by reportable segment, which are ammonia, granular urea, UAN, AN and Other. The following table summarizes our revenue by product and by geography (based on destination of our shipment) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019:


	Ammonia		Granular Urea		UAN		AN		Other		Total
	(in millions)
Three months ended September 30, 2020
North America	$	116	$	222	$	221	$	41	$	56	$	656
Europe and other	49		27		27		68		20		191

Total revenue	$	165	$	249	$	248	$	109	$	76	$	847
Three months ended September 30, 2019
North America	$	152	$	289	$	278	$	41	$	63	$	823
Europe and other	35		38		31		95		16		215
Total revenue	$	187	$	327	$	309	$	136	$	79	$	1,038


	Ammonia		Granular Urea		UAN		AN		Other		Total
	(in millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2020
North America	$	614	$	865	$	739	$	138	$	171	$	2,527
Europe and other	108		50		52		205		80		495

Total revenue	$	722	$	915	$	791	$	343	$	251	$	3,022
Nine months ended September 30, 2019
North America	$	755	$	1,037	$	866	$	141	$	190	$	2,989
Europe and other	92		66		68		248		78		552
Total revenue	$	847	$	1,103	$	934	$	389	$	268	$	3,541

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $143 million and $119 million, respectively, in customer advances on our consolidated balance sheets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, substantially all of the customer advances on our consolidated balance sheet at the beginning of each respective period were recognized as revenue.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

We offer cash incentives to certain customers that do not provide an option to the customer for additional product. The balances of customer incentives accrued at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were not material.

We have certain customer contracts with performance obligations where if the customer does not take the required amount of product specified in the contract, then the customer is required to make a payment to us, which may vary based upon the terms and conditions of the applicable contract. As of September 30, 2020, excluding contracts with original durations of less than one year, and based on the minimum product tonnage to be sold and current market price estimates, our remaining performance obligations under these contracts are approximately $892 million. We expect to recognize approximately 13% of these performance obligations as revenue in the remainder of 2020, approximately 49% as revenue during 2021 and 2022, and approximately 38% as revenue during 2023 and 2024. Subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable contracts, if these customers do not satisfy their purchase obligations under such contracts, the minimum amount that they would be required to pay to us under these contracts, in the aggregate, is approximately $225 million as of September 30, 2020. We monitor the ability of our customers to meet their purchase obligations, which could be impacted by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Other than the performance obligations described above, any performance obligations with our customers that were unfulfilled or partially filled at December 31, 2019 were satisfied in 2020.

4. Net (Loss) Earnings Per Share

Net (loss) earnings per share were computed as follows:


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders	$	(28)	$	65	$	230	$	438
Basic (loss) earnings per common share:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	213.9		219.0		215.0		221.2
Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders	$	(0.13)	$	0.29	$	1.07	$	1.98
Diluted (loss) earnings per common share:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	213.9		219.0		215.0		221.2
Dilutive common shares—stock-based awards	—		1.7		0.3		1.3
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding	213.9		220.7		215.3		222.5
Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders	$	(0.13)	$	0.29	$	1.07	$	1.97

Diluted earnings per share is calculated using weighted-average common shares outstanding, including the dilutive effect of stock-based awards as determined under the treasury stock method. In the computation of diluted earnings per common share, potentially dilutive stock-based awards are excluded if the effect of their inclusion is anti-dilutive. Shares for anti-dilutive stock-based awards not included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share were 3.1 million and 3.3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and 1.4 million and 1.5 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

5. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in millions)
Finished goods	$	259	$	311
Raw materials, spare parts and supplies	39		40
Total inventories	$	298	$	351

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

6. Property, Plant and Equipment—Net

Property, plant and equipment—net consists of the following:


	September 30, 2020		December 31, 2019
	(in millions)
Land	$	67	$	71
Machinery and equipment	12,389		12,338
Buildings and improvements	891		890
Construction in progress	307		236
Property, plant and equipment(1)	13,654		13,535
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	5,930		5,365
Property, plant and equipment—net	$	7,724	$	8,170

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had property, plant and equipment that was accrued but unpaid of approximately $73 million and $42 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, we had property, plant and equipment that was accrued but unpaid of $61 million and $48 million, respectively.

Depreciation and amortization related to property, plant and equipment was $207 million and $650 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $218 million and $648 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

During the first quarter of 2019, we entered into an agreement to sell our Pine Bend dry bulk storage and logistics facility in Minnesota. In April 2019, we completed the sale, received proceeds of $55 million and recognized a pre-tax gain of $45 million. The gain is reflected in other operating—net in our consolidated statement of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

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:


	Nine months ended September 30,
	2020		2019
	(in millions)
Net capitalized turnaround costs:
Beginning balance	$	246	$	252
Additions	68		94
Depreciation	(77)		(85)
Effect of exchange rate changes	(2)		—
Ending balance	$	235	$	261

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.

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7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

The following table shows the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019:


	Ammonia		Granular Urea		UAN		AN		Other		Total
	(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	587	$	828	$	576	$	302	$	72	$	2,365

Effect of exchange rate changes	(1)		—		—		(6)		(1)		(8)
Balance as of September 30, 2020	$	586	$	828	$	576	$	296	$	71	$	2,357

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:


	September 30, 2020						December 31, 2019
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Net
	(in millions)

Customer relationships	$	128	$	(49)	$	79	$	131	$	(45)	$	86

Trade names	31		(8)		23		31		(7)		24
Total intangible assets	$	159	$	(57)	$	102	$	162	$	(52)	$	110

Our intangible assets are being amortized over a weighted-average life of approximately 20 years. Amortization expense of our identifiable intangible assets was $2 million and $6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $2 million and $6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets are also impacted by the effect of exchange rate changes. Total estimated amortization expense for the remainder of 2020 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:


	Estimated Amortization Expense
	(in millions)
Remainder of 2020	$	2
2021	8
2022	8
2023	8
2024	8
2025	8

8. Equity Method Investment

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 September 30, 2020, the total carrying value of our equity method investment in PLNL was $86 million, $43 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 reflects the revaluation of property, plant and equipment. The increased basis for property, plant and equipment is being amortized over a remaining period of approximately 13 years. Our equity in earnings of PLNL is different from our ownership interest in income reported by PLNL due to amortization of this basis difference.

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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 $14 million and $37 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $12 million and $46 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

The Trinidadian tax authority (the Board of Inland Revenue) issued a proposed tax assessment against PLNL with respect to tax years 2011 and 2012 in the amount of approximately $12 million. The proposed assessment asserted that PLNL should have withheld tax at a higher rate on dividends paid to its Trinidadian owners. The Board of Inland Revenue also would have assessed statutory interest and penalties on the amount of tax owed when a final assessment was issued for the tax years 2011 and 2012. As we own a 50% interest in PLNL, our effective share of any assessment that is determined to be a liability of PLNL would be 50%, which would be reflected as a reduction in our equity in earnings of PLNL.

During the third quarter of 2019, the Trinidadian government offered a tax amnesty period that provided taxpayers the opportunity to pay any prior year tax obligations and avoid accumulated interest or penalties. During the tax amnesty period, PLNL evaluated the proposed assessment, including considering the outcome of certain recent legal cases involving other taxpayers. As a result of this evaluation, in the third quarter of 2019, PLNL paid withholding tax to the Board of Inland Revenue under the amnesty program for tax years back to 2011, and recognized a charge for $32 million. Our 50% share of PLNL’s tax charge is $16 million, which reduced our equity in earnings of operating affiliate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

9. Fair Value Measurements

Our cash and cash equivalents and other investments consist of the following:


	September 30, 2020
	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(in millions)
Cash	$	100	$	—	$	—	$	100
Cash equivalents:
U.S. and Canadian government obligations	439		—		—		439
Other debt securities	14		—		—		14
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	553	$	—	$	—	$	553

Nonqualified employee benefit trusts	16		3		—		19


	December 31, 2019
	Cost Basis		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
	(in millions)
Cash	$	59	$	—	$	—	$	59
Cash equivalents:
U.S. and Canadian government obligations	211		—		—		211
Other debt securities	17		—		—		17
Total cash and cash equivalents	$	287	$	—	$	—	$	287

Nonqualified employee benefit trusts	17		2		—		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 U.S. and Canadian federal governments; those issued by state, local or other governmental entities; and those guaranteed by entities affiliated with governmental entities.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicate the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine such fair value:


	September 30, 2020
	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	$	453	$	453	$	—	$	—

Nonqualified employee benefit trusts	19		19		—		—


Embedded derivative liability	(22)		—		(22)		—


	December 31, 2019
	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	$	228	$	228	$	—	$	—

Nonqualified employee benefit trusts	19		19		—		—

Derivative liabilities	(12)		—		(12)		—
Embedded derivative liability	(20)		—		(20)		—

Cash Equivalents

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 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.

Nonqualified Employee Benefit Trusts

We maintain trusts associated with certain nonqualified supplemental pension plans. 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, and are included on our consolidated balance sheets in other assets. Debt securities are accounted for as available-for-sale securities. Changes in the fair value of equity securities in the trust assets are recognized through earnings.

Derivative Instruments

The derivative instruments that we may use are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and options traded in the over-the-counter 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 a NYMEX futures price index. 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.

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Embedded Derivative Liability

Under the terms of our strategic venture with CHS Inc. (CHS), if our credit rating as determined by two of three specified credit rating agencies is below certain levels, we are required to make a non-refundable yearly payment of $5 million to CHS. Since 2016, our credit ratings have been below certain levels and, as a result, we made an annual payment of $5 million to CHS in the fourth quarter of each year. These payments 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. This obligation is recognized on our consolidated balance sheets as an embedded derivative. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the embedded derivative liability of $22 million and $20 million, respectively, is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Included in other operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 is a net loss of $2 million and $3 million, respectively.

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.

See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information regarding our strategic venture with CHS.

Financial Instruments

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of our financial instruments are as follows:


	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
	(in millions)
Long-term debt	$	3,960	$	4,582	$	3,957	$	4,295

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.

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, when there is 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, such as equity method investments, 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.

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10. Income Taxes

For the three months ended September 30, 2020, we recorded an income tax benefit of $13 million on a pre-tax loss of $9 million, or an effective tax rate of 155.0%, compared to an income tax provision of $19 million on pre-tax income of $133 million, or an effective tax rate of 14.6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recorded an income tax provision of $33 million on pre-tax income of $346 million or an effective tax rate of 9.4%, compared to an income tax provision of $113 million on pre-tax income of $665 million, or an effective tax rate of 17.1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, our income tax provision includes a $25 million benefit related to the settlement of certain U.S. and foreign income tax audits, which primarily related to the settlement of the audit of the Terra amended tax returns, which is further described below. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, our income tax provision included an incentive tax credit from the State of Louisiana of $30 million, net of federal income tax, related to certain capital projects at our Donaldsonville, Louisiana complex.

Our effective tax rate is also impacted by earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest in CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC (CFN), as our consolidated income tax provision does not include a tax provision on the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2020 of 155.0%, which is based on a pre-tax loss of $9 million, including $32 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 121.6 percentage points lower if based on pre-tax loss exclusive of the $32 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2019 of 14.6%, which is based on pre-tax income of $133 million, including $49 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 8.5 percentage points higher if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $49 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 of 9.4%, which is based on pre-tax income of $346 million, including $83 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.0 percentage points higher if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $83 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 of 17.1%, which is based on pre-tax income of $665 million, including $114 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.5 percentage points higher if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $114 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

During the third quarter of 2020, as a result of an intercompany transaction with a foreign affiliate, we recognized a capital loss, which we will carry forward, and for which we recorded a deferred tax asset of approximately $90 million. However, as the foreign affiliate has operations that do not normally generate capital gains and no practical plans to do so in the future, we established a full valuation allowance of approximately $90 million against the deferred tax asset. As a result, there was no net impact on our income tax provision.

In March 2020, the President signed into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the CARES Act). The CARES Act includes, among other things (i) a five-year net operating loss (NOL) carryback (including a related technical correction to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) for tax losses incurred in tax years 2018 through 2020; (ii) a change in interest deduction limitations for tax years 2019 and 2020, increasing the annual interest limitation from 30% to 50% of adjusted taxable income; and (iii) increased refundability of corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT) credits. These provisions have limited applicability to the Company as (i) the Company does not expect to have a NOL in tax year 2020 and did not have a tax loss in 2018 or 2019 which would be eligible for carryback; (ii) the Company was not limited by the interest deduction limitations for tax years 2019 and 2020 prior to changes made by the CARES Act; and (iii) the Company utilized all of its AMT credits in 2019. The Company continues to monitor and assess the impact of the CARES Act and other related governmental actions in response to the coronavirus impacts as more information becomes available.

Terra Amended Tax Returns

We completed the acquisition of Terra Industries Inc. (Terra) in April 2010. After the acquisition, we determined that the manner in which Terra reported the repatriation of cash from foreign affiliates to its U.S. parent for U.S. and foreign income tax purposes was not appropriate. As a result, in 2012 we amended certain tax returns, including Terra’s income and withholding tax returns, back to 1999 (the Amended Tax Returns) and paid additional income and withholding taxes, and related interest and penalties. In early 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the U.S. tax aspects of the Amended Tax Returns.

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In early 2019, the IRS completed its examination of the Amended Tax Returns and submitted its audit reports and related refund claims to the Joint Committee on Taxation of the U.S. Congress (the Joint Committee). For purposes of its review, the Joint Committee separated the IRS audit reports into two separate matters: (i) an income tax related matter and (ii) a withholding tax matter.

In late 2019, we received notification that the Joint Committee had approved the IRS audit reports and related income tax refunds relating to the income tax related matter. Therefore, we expected to receive cash refunds in 2020. In addition, as a result of this settlement and the finalization of carryover impacts of this audit settlement on other tax periods, we reduced our liability for unrecognized tax benefits by $19 million and recorded a corresponding deferred income tax liability in the first quarter of 2020. In the second quarter of 2020, we received notification that the Joint Committee approved the IRS audit report and related withholding tax refunds relating to the withholding tax matter and we received IRS Notices indicating the amount of tax and interest to be refunded and received with respect to the withholding tax matter and the income tax matter.

As a result of these events, in the second quarter of 2020, we recognized $16 million of interest income and $16 million of income tax benefit, which consisted of the following:

•additional interest income of $16 million ($13 million, net of tax) related to both the income tax matter and the withholding tax matter,

•a reduction in our liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $12 million with a corresponding reduction in income tax expense related to the withholding tax matter, and

•an additional income tax benefit of $7 million related to the income tax matter.

We received income tax refunds, including interest, of $108 million relating to these matters in the second quarter of 2020, consisting of $68 million related to the income tax matter and $40 million related to the withholding tax matter. In the third quarter of 2020, we received an additional $2 million related to the withholding tax matter, which finalized these matters with the IRS. As a result of the finalization of the income tax matter and the withholding tax matter, all U.S. federal tax years commencing before January 1, 2012 are now closed.

Canada Revenue Agency Notices of Reassessment

In 2016, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) issued Notices of Reassessment for tax years 2006 through 2009 to one of our Canadian affiliates asserting a disallowance of certain patronage allocations. The tax assessments totaled CAD $174 million (or approximately $131 million), including provincial taxes but excluding any interest or penalties. We filed a Notice of Objection with respect to the Notices of Reassessment with the CRA and we have posted a CAD $98 million bond (or approximately $74 million) in lieu of paying the additional tax liability assessed. In 2017, we made a request with United States Competent Authority (USCA) to include the Company’s dispute with CRA for consideration under the bilateral settlement provisions of the US-Canada Tax Treaty (the Treaty). We also filed a companion request with Canadian Competent Authority (CASD) since this matter ultimately involves the allocation of profits and deductions between Canada and the United States. In 2018, the matter was accepted for consideration under the bilateral settlement provisions of the Treaty by both countries.

Under the Treaty, USCA and CASD have two years from the commencement of discussions to reach a settlement or the matter can be referred to binding arbitration under the provisions of the Treaty. This period has been extended to expire in December 2020, and it could be further extended if agreed upon by both parties. The Company does not expect that resolution of this matter will result in a material net tax liability, because the Company would be entitled to an offsetting U.S. foreign tax credit for any incremental Canadian tax paid. Upon resolution of this matter, interest would be assessed based upon the amount of tax due. Similarly, the Company would be entitled to receive interest on the offsetting reduction in tax due to the foreign tax credit. Due to uncertainty in how each taxing authority would apply their interest calculation rules, we are not able to predict the net amount of interest that we would pay to or receive from the taxing authorities.

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11. Interest Expense

Details of interest expense are as follows:


	Three months ended September 30,				Nine months ended September 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
	(in millions)
Interest on borrowings(1)	$	46	$	57	$	139	$	171
Fees on financing agreements(1)	2		4		6		10
Interest on tax liabilities(2)	—		3		(4)		3
Interest capitalized	—		(1)		—		(2)
Total interest expense	$	48	$	63	$	141	$	182

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)See Note 12—Financing Agreements for additional information.

(2)Interest on tax liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 consists of a reduction in interest accrued on the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits.

12. Financing Agreements

Revolving Credit Agreement

On December 5, 2019, CF Holdings and CF Industries entered into a senior secured Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the Revolving Credit Agreement), which amended and restated our Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, as previously amended (referred to herein, as in effect from time to time, as the Prior Credit Agreement), that was scheduled to mature September 18, 2020. The Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million with a maturity of December 5, 2024. 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, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases and other general corporate purposes.

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement may be denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros and British pounds, and bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at our option, an applicable eurocurrency rate or base rate plus, in either case, a specified margin. We 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.

The guarantors under the Revolving Credit Agreement are currently comprised of CF Holdings and CF Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiaries CF Industries Enterprises, LLC (CFE), CF Industries Sales, LLC (CFS), CF USA Holdings, LLC (CF USA) and CF Industries Distribution Facilities, LLC (CFIDF).

As of September 30, 2020, we had unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement of $750 million and no outstanding letters of credit. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of December 31, 2019. In March 2020, we borrowed $500 million under the Revolving Credit Agreement to ensure we maintained ample financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which we repaid in April 2020. Maximum borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $500 million. The weighted-average annual interest rate of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was 2.05%. There were no borrowings under the Prior Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

The Revolving Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants. As of September 30, 2020, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement.

Letters of Credit

In addition to the letter of credit capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement, as described above, we have also entered into a bilateral agreement providing for up to $145 million of letters of credit. As of September 30, 2020, approximately $126 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 September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following debt securities issued by CF Industries:


	Effective Interest Rate	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
		Principal		Carrying Amount(1)		Principal		Carrying Amount(1)
		(in millions)
Public Senior Notes:


3.450% due June 2023	3.562%	$	750	$	748	$	750	$	747
5.150% due March 2034	5.279%	750		741		750		740
4.950% due June 2043	5.031%	750		742		750		742
5.375% due March 2044	5.465%	750		741		750		741
Senior Secured Notes:
3.400% due December 2021	3.782%	250		249		250		248
4.500% due December 2026	4.759%	750		739		750		739
Total long-term debt		$	4,000	$	3,960	$	4,000	$	3,957

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Carrying amount is net of unamortized debt discount and deferred debt issuance costs. Total unamortized debt discount was $9 million and $10 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and total deferred debt issuance costs were $31 million and $33 million as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

Under the indentures (including the applicable supplemental indentures) governing the senior notes due 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.

Under the terms of the applicable indenture, the 3.400% senior secured notes due December 2021 (the 2021 Notes) and the 4.500% senior secured notes due December 2026 (the 2026 Notes) identified in the table above (together, the Senior Secured Notes) are guaranteed on a senior secured basis, jointly and severally, by CF Holdings and each current and future domestic subsidiary of CF Holdings (other than CF Industries) that from time to time is a borrower, or guarantees indebtedness, under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The subsidiary guarantors of the Senior Secured Notes currently consist of CFE, CFS, CF USA and CFIDF.

Interest on the Public Senior Notes and the Senior Secured Notes is payable semiannually, and the Public Senior Notes and 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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13. Noncontrolling Interest

We have a strategic venture with CHS under which they own an equity interest in CFN, a subsidiary of CF Holdings, which represents approximately 11% of the membership interests of CFN. We own the remaining membership interests. Under the terms of CFN’s limited liability company agreement, each member’s interest will reflect, over time, the impact of the profitability of CFN, any member contributions made to CFN and withdrawals and distributions received from CFN. 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 interest in our consolidated financial statements.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of noncontrolling interest and distributions payable to noncontrolling interest in our consolidated balance sheets is provided below.



	2020		2019

	(in millions)
Noncontrolling interest:
Balance as of January 1	$	2,740	$	2,773

Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	83		114
Declaration of distributions payable	(174)		(186)


Balance as of September 30	$	2,649	$	2,701
Distributions payable to noncontrolling interest:
Balance as of January 1	$	—	$	—
Declaration of distributions payable	174		186
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(174)		(186)

Balance as of September 30	$	—	$	—

CHS also receives 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 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, we recognized an embedded derivative related to our credit rating. See Note 9—Fair Value Measurements for additional information.

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14. Stockholders’ Equity

Treasury Stock

On August 1, 2018, our Board of Directors (the Board) authorized the repurchase of up to $500 million of CF Holdings common stock through June 30, 2020 (the 2018 Share Repurchase Program). In 2018, we completed the 2018 Share Repurchase Program with the repurchase of 10.9 million shares for $500 million, of which $33 million was accrued and unpaid at December 31, 2018 and was paid in the first quarter of 2019. In February 2019, we retired all 10.9 million shares that were repurchased under the 2018 Share Repurchase Program.

On February 13, 2019, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $1 billion of CF Holdings common stock through December 31, 2021 (the 2019 Share Repurchase Program). Repurchases under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, block transactions or otherwise. The manner, timing and amount of repurchases will be determined by our management based on the evaluation of market conditions, stock price, and other factors. In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we repurchased approximately 5.7 million shares under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program for $250 million, of which $2 million was accrued and unpaid at September 30, 2019. In the first quarter of 2020, we repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares of CF Holdings common stock under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program for $100 million, which we retired in the second quarter of 2020. No shares were repurchased under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program in the second or third quarter of 2020. At September 30, 2020, we held 27,392 shares of treasury stock.

The following table summarizes the share repurchases under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program.



	Shares	Amounts
	(in millions)
Shares repurchased in 2019:
First quarter	1.5	$	60
Second quarter	2.7	118
Third quarter	1.5	72
Fourth quarter	1.9	87

Total shares repurchased in 2019	7.6	337
Shares repurchased in 2020:
First quarter	2.6	100




Shares repurchased as of September 30, 2020	10.2	$	437

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Changes to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:


	Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment		Unrealized Gain on Derivatives		Defined Benefit Plans		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	(in millions)
Balance as of December 31, 2018	$	(250)	$	5	$	(126)	$	(371)


Gain arising during the period	—		—		5		5
Reclassification to earnings(1)	—		—		(1)		(1)

Effect of exchange rate changes and deferred taxes	(8)		—		1		(7)
Balance as of September 30, 2019	$	(258)	$	5	$	(121)	$	(374)

Balance as of December 31, 2019	$	(188)	$	5	$	(183)	$	(366)


Gain arising during the period	—		—		1		1

Reclassification to earnings(1)	—		—		5		5

Effect of exchange rate changes and deferred taxes	(30)		—		2		(28)
Balance as of September 30, 2020	$	(218)	$	5	$	(175)	$	(388)

____________________________________________________________________________

(1)Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were not material.

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) were 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 were 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 manufactured and sold to others were 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. Over three hundred cases have been resolved pursuant to confidential settlements that have been or we expect will be fully funded by insurance. The remaining cases are in various stages of discovery and pre-trial proceedings. The next group of cases is expected to be set for trial in 2021. 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 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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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

Florida Environmental Matter

On March 17, 2014, we completed the sale of our phosphate mining and manufacturing business, which was located in Florida, to The Mosaic Company (Mosaic). Pursuant to the terms of the definitive agreement executed in October 2013, Mosaic assumed the following environmental matter and we agreed to indemnify Mosaic with respect to losses arising out of the matter below, subject to a maximum indemnification cap and the other terms of the definitive agreement.

Clean Air Act Notice of Violation

We received a Notice of Violation (NOV) from the EPA by letter dated June 16, 2010, alleging that we violated the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) Clean Air Act regulations relating to certain projects undertaken at the former Plant City, Florida facility’s sulfuric acid plants. This NOV further alleges that the actions that are the basis for the alleged PSD violations also resulted in violations of Title V air operating permit regulations. Finally, the NOV alleges that we failed to comply with certain compliance dates established by hazardous air pollutant regulations for phosphoric acid manufacturing plants and phosphate fertilizer production plants. We had several meetings with the EPA with respect to this matter prior to our sale of the phosphate mining and manufacturing business in March 2014. We and Mosaic have separately had continued discussions with the EPA subsequent to our sale of the phosphate mining and manufacturing business with respect to this matter.

We reached a settlement with the EPA and the United States Department of Justice to resolve the Plant City Clean Air Act matter, and executed a final stipulation of settlement that was approved by the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida on August 5, 2020. The settlement required us to pay a civil penalty of $550,000 to the United States, but did not include any required injunctive relief or other corrective actions.

Other Environmental 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 the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act 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 17 former phosphate mines in southeast Idaho, one of which is the former Georgetown Canyon mine. Because the former mine site is still in the remedial investigation and feasibility study stage, 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 the results of the site investigation conducted to date, 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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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 7—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.

Segment data for sales, cost of sales and gross margin for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are presented in the tables below.


	Ammonia		Granular Urea(1)		UAN(1)		AN(1)		Other(1)		Consolidated
	(in millions)
Three months ended September 30, 2020
Net sales	$	165	$	249	$	248	$	109	$	76	$	847
Cost of sales	174		183		237		96		74		764
Gross margin	$	(9)	$	66	$	11	$	13	$	2	83
Total other operating costs and expenses											45
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate											2
Operating earnings											$	40

Three months ended September 30, 2019
Net sales	$	187	$	327	$	309	$	136	$	79	$	1,038
Cost of sales	188		207		250		100		65		810
Gross margin	$	(1)	$	120	$	59	$	36	$	14	228
Total other operating costs and expenses											26
Equity in losses of operating affiliate											(14)
Operating earnings											$	188


	Ammonia		Granular Urea(1)		UAN(1)		AN(1)		Other(1)		Consolidated
	(in millions)
Nine months ended September 30, 2020
Net sales	$	722	$	915	$	791	$	343	$	251	$	3,022
Cost of sales	609		612		675		290		215		2,401
Gross margin	$	113	$	303	$	116	$	53	$	36	621
Total other operating costs and expenses											162
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate											8
Operating earnings											$	467

Nine months ended September 30, 2019
Net sales	$	847	$	1,103	$	934	$	389	$	268	$	3,541
Cost of sales	654		686		722		308		224		2,594
Gross margin	$	193	$	417	$	212	$	81	$	44	947
Total other operating costs and expenses											113

Equity in losses of operating affiliate											(6)
Operating earnings											$	828

_______________________________________________________________________________

(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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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 and our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, which were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2020, as well as Item 1. Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on 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 in Item 1. Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The following is an outline of the discussion and analysis included herein:

•Overview of CF Holdings

◦Our Company

◦Market Conditions and Current Developments

◦Financial Executive Summary

◦Items Affecting Comparability of Results

•Consolidated Results of Operations

◦Third Quarter of 2020 Compared to Third Quarter of 2019

◦Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

•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

Our principal assets as of September 30, 2020 include:

•five U.S. nitrogen manufacturing facilities located in Donaldsonville, Louisiana (the largest nitrogen complex in the world); Port Neal, Iowa; Yazoo City, Mississippi; Verdigris, Oklahoma; and Woodward, Oklahoma. These facilities are wholly owned directly or indirectly by CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC (CFN), of which we own approximately 89% and CHS Inc. (CHS) owns the remainder. See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information on our strategic venture with CHS;

•two Canadian nitrogen manufacturing facilities located in Medicine Hat, Alberta (the largest nitrogen complex in Canada) and Courtright, Ontario;

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•two United Kingdom nitrogen manufacturing facilities located in Billingham and Ince;

•an extensive system of terminals and associated transportation equipment located primarily in the Midwestern United States; and

•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.

Market Conditions and Current Developments

COVID-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Since that time, efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19 have intensified. A number of countries, as well as certain states and cities within the United States, have continued to enact temporary closures of businesses, to issue shelter in place or quarantine orders, and to take other restrictive measures in response to the pandemic.

Due to the use of fertilizer products in crop production, our business operations have been designated as part of the critical infrastructure by the United States and as essential businesses in the United Kingdom and Canada, with corresponding designations for those states and provinces in which we operate that have issued restrictive orders. As a result, our manufacturing complexes continued to operate during the first nine months of 2020 and have continued to operate through the date of this report. Our production of ammonia, the basic building block for our products, was 7.6 million tons in both the first nine months of 2020 and the first nine months of 2019. Through the date of this filing, we have continued to ship products by all modes of transportation to our customers, and we have not experienced any significant delays in marine, rail or truck transportation services due to the pandemic.

In the first nine months of 2020, we did not experience a meaningful impact in customer demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our total volume of products shipped in the first nine months of 2020 of 14.8 million tons was 2% higher compared to 14.6 million tons in the first nine months of 2019.

In response to the pandemic, we instituted safety precautions early in the year to protect the health and well-being of all of our employees, including the manufacturing workforce who operate our nitrogen complexes and distribution facilities. These safety measures included installing thermal temperature checks at each of our sites for all personnel, including contractors, who arrive at our sites, adjusting schedules to support social distancing, including changes to loading and shipping procedures, maintaining a close contact log for employees, self-quarantine logs, requiring face coverings on site, restricting visitor access, and implementing enhanced cleaning protocols and travel restrictions for employees. We also paid approximately $19 million of bonuses to our operational workforce under a special COVID-19 bonus program, which concluded in June. In addition, since mid-March 2020, the majority of our non-operational personnel at our sites who work in administrative and operational support functions have worked remotely in order to maintain social distancing following governmental guidelines. These administrative and operational support functions have operated effectively during this period, meeting our commitments to our customers and continuing to manage our business without interruption. We have not furloughed any employees or instituted any reductions in pay or benefits or other significant cost containment measures due to the pandemic.

We participate in a global market, which includes a global supply chain and customer base. The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are unclear and could adversely affect our business in the future. We have operated our business in a remote working environment and could continue to do so for an extended duration, if necessary. However, if the pandemic were to impact a large portion of our workforce in any one location, we might need to idle that facility temporarily, which could have an impact on our business operations, profitability and cash flow. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is fluid and continues to evolve. As a result, we cannot predict the extent to which our business, results of operations, financial condition or liquidity will be impacted by the pandemic in the future.

Sales Volume

There was strong demand for fertilizer in the first nine months of 2020 as we shipped 14.8 million tons of product compared to 14.6 million tons in the first nine months of 2019. Our shipments can shift between quarters due primarily to shifts in weather patterns that impact fertilizer applications. In the third quarter of 2020, our sales volumes were lower across most of our major products compared to the third quarter of 2019. In 2019, weather-related delays in the fertilizer application season resulted in delayed shipments from the second quarter into the third quarter of 2019. Additionally, we experienced lower supply availability of granular urea and AN in the third quarter of 2020 due to plant turnaround and maintenance activity. However, we experienced greater supply availability of ammonia, and, as a result, we shipped higher sales volumes of ammonia in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019 despite this seasonally slow time of year.

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In the three months ended September 30, 2020, sales volume was 4.7 million product tons compared to sales volume of 4.8 million product tons for three months ended September 30, 2019. This decrease in sales volume resulted in a decrease in net sales of approximately $6 million. Sales volumes in our granular urea, UAN and AN segments decreased in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the third quarter of 2019, partially offset by an increase in sales volumes in our ammonia and Other segments.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, sales volume was 14.8 million product tons, an increase of 2%, compared to sales volume of 14.6 million product tons for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. This increase in sales volume resulted in an increase in net sales of approximately $67 million. Sales volumes in our ammonia, AN, UAN and Other segments increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2019, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume in our granular urea segment.

Selling Prices

The third quarter is typically the slowest quarter for our business due to the seasonal nature of fertilizer applications in the Northern Hemisphere, which can also impact selling prices as seasonality impacts the supply and demand balance for our products. The selling prices for all products were lower in the third quarter of 2020 than the third quarter of 2019 as global energy prices remained low, driving higher global nitrogen operating rates and the resulting additional global supply availability. In the third quarter of 2020, the average selling price for our products was $179 per ton, a decrease of 18% compared to $218 per ton in the third quarter of 2019. This resulted in a decrease in net sales of approximately $185 million.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the average selling price for our products was $204 per ton, or 16% lower compared to $243 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. This resulted in a decrease in net sales of approximately $586 million.

Natural Gas Prices

Natural gas is the principal raw material used to produce nitrogen fertilizers. We use natural gas both as a chemical feedstock and as a fuel to produce nitrogen products. Natural gas is a significant cost component of manufactured nitrogen products, representing approximately one-third of our production costs.

Most of our nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing facilities are located in the United States and Canada. As a result, the price of natural gas in North America directly impacts a substantial portion of our operating expenses. Due to increases in natural gas production resulting from the rise in production from shale gas formations, natural gas prices in North America have declined over the last decade, but are subject to volatility. Natural gas prices during the first nine months of 2020 were lower on average than in the first nine months of 2019, due in part to reduced energy demand as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by reductions in supply. The average daily market price at the Henry Hub, the most heavily-traded natural gas pricing point in North America, for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $1.95 per MMBtu compared to $2.33 per MMBtu for the three months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of 16%. The average daily market price at the Henry Hub for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $1.82 per MMBtu compared to $2.57 per MMBtu for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of 29%.

We also have manufacturing facilities located in the United Kingdom. Production costs for these facilities are subject to fluctuations associated with the price of natural gas in Europe. The major natural gas trading point for the United Kingdom is the National Balancing Point (NBP). The price of natural gas in the United Kingdom declined throughout the first nine months of 2020 as a result of increased availability of liquefied natural gas in the global market as well as the global economic downturn related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The average daily market price of natural gas at NBP for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was $2.69 per MMBtu compared to $3.42 per MMBtu for the three months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of 21%. The average daily market price at NBP for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was $2.49 per MMBtu compared to $4.56 per MMBtu for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease of 45%.

Natural gas costs in cost of sales, including the impact of realized natural gas derivatives, decreased 15% to $1.91 per MMBtu in the three months ended September 30, 2020 from $2.24 per MMBtu in the three months ended September 30, 2019, which resulted in an increase in gross margin of approximately $30 million. Natural gas costs in cost of sales, including the impact of realized natural gas derivatives, decreased 26% to $2.11 per MMBtu in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $2.86 per MMBtu in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, which resulted in an increase in gross margin of approximately $213 million.

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Financial Executive Summary

We reported a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $28 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $65 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019, a decrease in net earnings of $93 million. The decrease in net earnings was due primarily to lower selling prices, which reduced gross margin, partially offset by a lower income tax provision.

Gross margin decreased by $145 million in the third quarter of 2020 to $83 million as compared to $228 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in gross margin was primarily driven by an 18% decrease in average selling prices, which reduced gross margin by $185 million, partially offset by a 15% decrease in natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $30 million.

Due to lower earnings before income taxes, our income tax provision decreased by $32 million to income tax benefit of $13 million in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to income tax provision of $19 million in the third quarter of 2019.

Diluted net (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders decreased $0.42 per share, to $(0.13) per share in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $0.29 per share in the third quarter of 2019. This decrease is due primarily to lower net earnings, partially offset by a 3% reduction in diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding due to repurchases made under our share repurchase program. On February 13, 2019, our Board of Directors (the Board) authorized the repurchase of up to $1 billion of CF Holdings common stock through December 31, 2021 (the 2019 Share Repurchase Program). In 2019, we repurchased approximately 7.6 million shares of CF Holdings common stock for $337 million, of which approximately 5.7 million shares were repurchased in the first nine months of 2019 for $250 million. In the first quarter of 2020, we repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares for $100 million. No shares were repurchased under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program in the second or third quarter of 2020. See discussion under “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Share Repurchase Program,” below.

Items Affecting Comparability of Results

In addition to the impact of market conditions discussed above, certain items impacted the comparability of our financial results during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019. The following table and related discussion outline these items and how they impacted the comparability of our financial results during these periods. During the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we reported net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders of $(28) million and $65 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $230 million and $438 million, respectively.


	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020				2019				2020				2019
	Pre-Tax		After-Tax		Pre-Tax		After-Tax		Pre-Tax		After-Tax		Pre-Tax		After-Tax
	(in millions)

Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives(1)	$	—	$	—	$	2	$	2	$	(12)	$	(9)	$	3	$	3



COVID impacts:
Special COVID-19 bonus for operational workforce(1)	4		3		—		—		19		15		—		—
Turnaround deferral(1)	7		6		—		—		7		6		—		—
(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, including intercompany loans(2)	(6)		(5)		5		4		7		5		12		9
Engineering cost write-off(2)	1		1		—		—		9		7		—		—
Loss on sale of surplus land(2)	2		1		—		—		2		1		—		—
Insurance proceeds(2)	—		—		(37)		(29)		(10)		(8)		(37)		(29)
Gain on sale of Pine Bend facility(2)	—		—		—		—		—		—		(45)		(35)

Louisiana incentive tax credit(3)	—		—		—		—		—		—		—		(30)
Terra amended tax returns—interest income and income tax benefit(4)	—		—		—		—		(16)		(32)		—		—


PLNL withholding tax charge(5)	—		—		16		16		—		—		16		16

______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Included in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations.

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(2)Included in other operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations.

(3)Included in income tax provision in our consolidated statements of operations.

(4)Included in interest income and income tax provision in our consolidated statements of operations.

(5)Included in equity in earnings (losses) of operating affiliate in our consolidated statements of operations.

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

Natural gas is the largest and most volatile single component of the manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based products. At certain times, we have managed the risk of changes in natural gas prices through the use of derivative financial instruments. The derivatives that we may use for this purpose are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and 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, which are reflected in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized an unrealized net mark-to-market (gain) loss of $(12) million and $3 million, respectively.

COVID impacts

In March 2020, a short-term bonus program was initiated to compensate operational employees for continuing their critical tasks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bonus program concluded in June 2020. Approximately $19 million was paid as part of the program and was recognized in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, of which approximately $4 million was recognized in the third quarter of 2020 as the related inventory was sold.

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, certain plant turnaround activities were deferred because of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we incurred $7 million of expense, which is recognized in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations.

(Gain) loss on foreign currency transactions, including intercompany loans

In the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we recognized a loss of $7 million and $12 million, respectively, primarily consisting of the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany loans that were not permanently invested.

Engineering cost write-off

In June 2020, a project at one of our nitrogen complexes was cancelled and, as a result, $9 million of previously capitalized engineering costs were expensed in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. The expense is reflected in other operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations.

Loss on sale of surplus land

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized a loss of $2 million on the sale of surplus land, which is reflected in other operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations.

Insurance proceeds

In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized income of $10 million related to insurance claims at one of our nitrogen complexes. The $10 million of income consists of $8 million related to business interruption insurance proceeds and $2 million related to property insurance proceeds. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized income of $37 million related to insurance claims at one of our nitrogen complexes. The $37 million of income consisted of $22 million related to business interruption proceeds and $15 million related to property insurance proceeds. These proceeds are reflected in other operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations.

Gain on sale of Pine Bend facility

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Louisiana incentive tax credit

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, our income tax provision included an incentive tax credit from the State of Louisiana of $30 million, net of federal income tax, related to certain capital projects at our Donaldsonville, Louisiana nitrogen complex.

Terra amended tax returns

In late 2019, we received notification that the Joint Committee had approved the IRS audit reports and related income tax refunds relating to the income tax related matter, and in the second quarter of 2020, we received notification that the Joint Committee approved the IRS audit report and related withholding tax refunds relating to the withholding tax matter. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Terra Amended Tax Returns,” below, for additional information.

As a result of these events, in the second quarter of 2020, we recognized $16 million of interest income and $16 million of income tax benefit, which consisted of the following:

•additional interest income of $16 million ($13 million, net of tax) related to both the income tax matter and the withholding tax matter,

•a reduction in our liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $12 million with a corresponding reduction in income tax expense related to the withholding tax matter, and

•an additional income tax benefit of $7 million related to the income tax matter.

We received income tax refunds, including interest, of $108 million relating to these matters in the second quarter of 2020. In the third quarter of 2020, we received an additional $2 million, which finalized these matters with the IRS. As a result of the finalization of these tax matters, all U.S. federal tax years commencing before January 1, 2012 are now closed.

PLNL withholding tax charge

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Consolidated Results of Operations

The following table presents our consolidated results of operations and supplemental data:


	Three Months Ended September 30,											Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020 v. 2019					2020			2019			2020 v. 2019
	(in millions, except per share and per MMBtu)
Net sales	$	847		$	1,038		$	(191)		(18)	%	$	3,022		$	3,541		$	(519)		(15)	%
Cost of sales	764			810			(46)			(6)	%	2,401			2,594			(193)			(7)	%
Gross margin	83			228			(145)			(64)	%	621			947			(326)			(34)	%
Gross margin percentage	9.8		%	22.0		%	(12.2)		%			20.5		%	26.7		%	(6.2)		%
Selling, general and administrative expenses	49			56			(7)			(13)	%	154			176			(22)			(13)	%

Other operating—net	(4)			(30)			26			87	%	8			(63)			71			N/M
Total other operating costs and expenses	45			26			19			73	%	162			113			49			43	%

Equity in earnings (losses) of operating affiliate	2			(14)			16			N/M		8			(6)			14			N/M
Operating earnings	40			188			(148)			(79)	%	467			828			(361)			(44)	%
Interest expense—net	48			59			(11)			(19)	%	123			170			(47)			(28)	%
Other non-operating—net	1			(4)			5			N/M		(2)			(7)			5			71	%
(Loss) earnings before income taxes	(9)			133			(142)			N/M		346			665			(319)			(48)	%
Income tax (benefit) provision	(13)			19			(32)			N/M		33			113			(80)			(71)	%

Net earnings	4			114			(110)			(96)	%	313			552			(239)			(43)	%
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest	32			49			(17)			(35)	%	83			114			(31)			(27)	%
Net (loss) earnings attributable to common stockholders	$	(28)		$	65		$	(93)		N/M		$	230		$	438		$	(208)		(47)	%
Diluted net (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders	$	(0.13)		$	0.29		$	(0.42)		N/M		$	1.07		$	1.97		$	(0.90)		(46)	%
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding	213.9			220.7			(6.8)			(3)	%	215.3			222.5			(7.2)			(3)	%
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.30		$	0.30		$	—		—	%	$	0.90		$	0.90		$	—		—	%
Natural gas supplemental data (per MMBtu)
Natural gas costs in cost of sales(1)	$	1.92		$	2.24		$	(0.32)		(14)	%	$	2.05		$	2.87		$	(0.82)		(29)	%
Realized derivatives (gain) loss in cost of sales(2)	(0.01)			—			(0.01)			—	%	0.06			(0.01)			0.07			N/M
Cost of natural gas in cost of sales	$	1.91		$	2.24		$	(0.33)		(15)	%	$	2.11		$	2.86		$	(0.75)		(26)	%



Average daily market price of natural gas Henry Hub (Louisiana)	$	1.95		$	2.33		$	(0.38)		(16)	%	$	1.82		$	2.57		$	(0.75)		(29)	%
Average daily market price of natural gas National Balancing Point (UK)	$	2.69		$	3.42		$	(0.73)		(21)	%	$	2.49		$	4.56		$	(2.07)		(45)	%
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives	$	—		$	2		$	(2)		(100)	%	$	(12)		$	3		$	(15)		N/M
Depreciation and amortization	$	212		$	223		$	(11)		(5)	%	$	662		$	663		$	(1)		—	%
Capital expenditures	$	87		$	143		$	(56)		(39)	%	$	206		$	297		$	(91)		(31)	%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)	4,743			4,752			(9)			—	%	14,817			14,555			262			2	%
Production volume by product tons (000s):
Ammonia(3)	2,468			2,336			132			6	%	7,621			7,564			57			1	%
Granular urea	1,149			1,206			(57)			(5)	%	3,640			3,836			(196)			(5)	%
UAN (32%)	1,572			1,584			(12)			(1)	%	4,879			4,810			69			1	%
AN	471			552			(81)			(15)	%	1,532			1,585			(53)			(3)	%

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N/M—Not Meaningful

(1)Includes the cost of natural gas and related transportation that is included in cost of sales during the period under the first-in, first-out 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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Third Quarter of 2020 Compared to Third Quarter of 2019

Net Sales

Our total net sales decreased $191 million, or 18%, to $847 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $1.04 billion in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to an 18% decrease in average selling prices, which reduced net sales by $185 million.

Our average selling price was $179 per ton in the third quarter of 2020, or 18% lower, compared to $218 per ton in the third quarter of 2019 due to lower average selling prices across all products, primarily driven by increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates.

Our total sales volume of 4.7 million product tons in the third quarter of 2020 was essentially flat compared to the third quarter of 2019 as lower sales volume in our granular urea, UAN and AN segments was offset by higher sales volume in our ammonia and Other segments.

Cost of Sales

Our total cost of sales decreased $46 million, or 6%, to $764 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $810 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in our cost of sales was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, and lower distribution costs, partially offset by higher costs related to plant turnaround and maintenance activity. Cost of sales averaged $162 per ton in the third quarter of 2020, a 5% decrease from $170 per ton in the third quarter of 2019. Natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, decreased 15% to $1.91 per MMBtu in the third quarter of 2020 from $2.24 per MMBtu in the third quarter of 2019.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $7 million to $49 million in the third quarter of 2020 as compared to $56 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was due primarily to lower incentive compensation as a result of lower operating results and lower corporate project activity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other Operating—Net

Other operating—net was $4 million of income in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $30 million of income in the third quarter of 2019. The $4 million of income in the third quarter of 2020 was due primarily to a gain on foreign currency transactions of $6 million, reflecting the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany loans that were not permanently invested. The $30 million of income in the third quarter of 2019 was due primarily to insurance proceeds of $37 million. See “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Insurance proceeds,” above, for additional information.

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Operating Affiliate

Equity in earnings of operating affiliate was $2 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to losses of $14 million in the third quarter of 2019. The loss in the third quarter of 2019 included approximately $16 million related to a withholding tax charge recognized by PLNL regarding a multi-year tax dispute. See “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—PLNL withholding tax charge,” above, for additional information.

Interest Expense—Net

Net interest expense was $48 million in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $59 million in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was due primarily to our redemption of $750 million aggregate principal amount of long-term debt in the fourth quarter of 2019, which is more fully described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Senior Notes,” below.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate is impacted by earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest in CFN, as our consolidated income tax provision does not include a tax provision on the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2020 of 155.0%, which is based on pre-tax loss of $9 million, including $32 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 121.6 percentage points lower, or 33.4%, if based on pre-tax loss exclusive of the $32 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2019 of 14.6%, which is based on pre-tax income of $133 million, including $49 million

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attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 8.5 percentage points higher, or 23.1%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $49 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. See Note 10—Income Taxes and Note 13—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest decreased $17 million to $32 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $49 million in the third quarter of 2019 due to lower earnings from CFN driven by lower average selling prices due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability.

Diluted Net (Loss) Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Net (loss) earnings per share attributable to common stockholders decreased $0.42 to $(0.13) per diluted share in the third quarter of 2020 from $0.29 per diluted share in the third quarter of 2019. This decrease reflects lower net earnings, partially offset by the impact of a 3% reduction in diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding due to repurchases made under our share repurchase program.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

Net Sales

Our total net sales decreased $519 million, or 15%, to $3.02 billion in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to $3.54 billion in the first nine months of 2019 due to a 16% decrease in average selling prices, which reduced net sales by $586 million, partially offset by a 2% increase in sales volume, which increased net sales by $67 million.

Average selling prices were $204 per ton in the first nine months of 2020, or 16% lower, as compared to $243 per ton in the first nine months of 2019 due to lower average selling prices across all products, primarily driven by increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates.

Our total sales volume was 14.8 million product tons in the first nine months of 2020, or 2% higher, as compared to 14.6 million product tons in the first nine months of 2019, due to greater supply availability. Higher sales volume in our ammonia, AN, UAN and Other segments was partially offset by lower sales volumes in our granular urea segment.

Cost of Sales

Our total cost of sales decreased $193 million, or 7%, to $2.40 billion in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to $2.59 billion in the first nine months of 2019. The decrease in our cost of sales was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives. We recognized an unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives of $12 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to an unrealized net mark-to-market loss of $3 million in the first nine months of 2019. These factors were partially offset by an increase in cost of sales due to higher sales volumes, higher costs related to plant turnaround and maintenance activity, and costs related to the special COVID-19 bonus. The special COVID-19 bonus is more fully described in the section above titled “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Special COVID-19 bonus for operational workforce.” Cost of sales averaged $162 per ton in the first nine months of 2020, a 9% decrease from $178 per ton in the first nine months of 2019 due primarily to the impact of lower realized natural gas costs. Natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, decreased 26% to $2.11 per MMBtu in the first nine months of 2020 from $2.86 per MMBtu in the first nine months of 2019.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $22 million to $154 million in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to $176 million in the first nine months of 2019. The decrease was due primarily to lower corporate project activity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and lower incentive compensation.

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Other Operating—Net

Other operating—net was $8 million of expense in the first nine months of 2020 compared to $63 million of income in the first nine months of 2019. The expense in the first nine months of 2020 includes $9 million of expense related to the cancellation of a project, which is more fully described in the section above titled “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Engineering cost write-off,” and foreign currency transaction losses of $7 million, due to the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany loans that were not permanently invested. These factors were partially offset by insurance proceeds of $10 million. See “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Insurance proceeds,” above, for additional information. The $63 million of income in the first nine months of 2019 was due primarily to the gain recognized on the sale of the Pine Bend facility of $45 million and insurance proceeds of $37 million, partially offset by foreign currency transaction losses.

Equity in Earnings (Losses) of Operating Affiliate

Equity in earnings of operating affiliate was $8 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to losses of $6 million in the first nine months of 2019. The loss in the first nine months of 2019 included approximately $16 million related to a withholding tax charge recognized by PLNL regarding a multi-year tax dispute. See “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—PLNL withholding tax charge,” above, for additional information.

Interest Expense—Net

Net interest expense decreased by $47 million to $123 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to $170 million in the first nine months of 2019. The decrease was due primarily to our redemption of $750 million aggregate principal amount of long-term debt in the fourth quarter of 2019, which is more fully described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Senior Notes,” below. In addition, the decrease reflects $16 million of interest income in 2020 related to the finalization of the Terra amended tax returns, which is more fully described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Terra Amended Tax Returns,” below.

Income Taxes

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recorded an income tax provision of $33 million on pre-tax income of $346 million, or an effective tax rate of 9.4%, compared to an income tax provision of $113 million on pre-tax income of $665 million, or an effective tax rate of 17.1%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, our income tax benefit included an incentive tax credit from the State of Louisiana of $30 million, net of federal income tax, related to certain capital projects at our Donaldsonville, Louisiana nitrogen complex.

Our effective tax rate is also impacted by earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest in CFN, as our consolidated income tax provision does not include a tax provision on the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 of 9.4%, which is based on pre-tax income of $346 million, including $83 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.0 percentage points higher, or 12.4%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $83 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 of 17.1%, which is based on pre-tax income of $665 million, including $114 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.5 percentage points higher, or 20.6%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $114 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. See Note 10—Income Taxes and Note 13—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.

Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest decreased $31 million to $83 million in the first nine months of 2020 from $114 million in the first nine months of 2019 due to lower earnings of CFN driven by lower average selling prices due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability.

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Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders decreased $0.90 to $1.07 per diluted share in the first nine months of 2020 from $1.97 per diluted share in the first nine months of 2019. This decrease is due primarily to lower net earnings, partially offset by the impact of a 3% reduction in diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding due to repurchases made under our share repurchase program. See discussion under “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Share Repurchase Program,” below, for further information.

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
	(dollars in millions)
Three months ended September 30, 2020
Net sales	$	165		$	249		$	248		$	109		$	76		$	847
Cost of sales	174			183			237			96			74			764
Gross margin	$	(9)		$	66		$	11		$	13		$	2		$	83
Gross margin percentage	(5.5)		%	26.5		%	4.4		%	11.9		%	2.6		%	9.8		%
Three months ended September 30, 2019
Net sales	$	187		$	327		$	309		$	136		$	79		$	1,038
Cost of sales	188			207			250			100			65			810
Gross margin	$	(1)		$	120		$	59		$	36		$	14		$	228
Gross margin percentage	(0.5)		%	36.7		%	19.1		%	26.5		%	17.7		%	22.0		%
Nine months ended September 30, 2020
Net sales	$	722		$	915		$	791		$	343		$	251		$	3,022
Cost of sales	609			612			675			290			215			2,401
Gross margin	$	113		$	303		$	116		$	53		$	36		$	621
Gross margin percentage	15.7		%	33.1		%	14.7		%	15.5		%	14.3		%	20.5		%
Nine months ended September 30, 2019
Net sales	$	847		$	1,103		$	934		$	389		$	268		$	3,541
Cost of sales	654			686			722			308			224			2,594
Gross margin	$	193		$	417		$	212		$	81		$	44		$	947
Gross margin percentage	22.8		%	37.8		%	22.7		%	20.8		%	16.4		%	26.7		%

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

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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 September 30,											Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020 v. 2019					2020			2019			2020 v. 2019
	(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales	$	165		$	187		$	(22)		(12)	%	$	722		$	847		$	(125)		(15)	%
Cost of sales	174			188			(14)			(7)	%	609			654			(45)			(7)	%
Gross margin	$	(9)		$	(1)		$	(8)		N/M		$	113		$	193		$	(80)		(41)	%
Gross margin percentage	(5.5)		%	(0.5)		%	(5.0)		%			15.7		%	22.8		%	(7.1)		%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)	795			720			75			10	%	2,675			2,548			127			5	%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)	651			590			61			10	%	2,193			2,089			104			5	%
Average selling price per product ton	$	208		$	260		$	(52)		(20)	%	$	270		$	332		$	(62)		(19)	%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)	$	253		$	317		$	(64)		(20)	%	$	329		$	405		$	(76)		(19)	%
Gross margin per product ton	$	(11)		$	(1)		$	(10)		N/M		$	42		$	76		$	(34)		(45)	%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)	$	(14)		$	(2)		$	(12)		N/M		$	52		$	92		$	(40)		(43)	%
Depreciation and amortization	$	34		$	41		$	(7)		(17)	%	$	133		$	123		$	10		8	%
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives	$	—		$	1		$	(1)		(100)	%	$	(4)		$	1		$	(5)		N/M

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N/M—Not Meaningful

(1)Ammonia represents 82% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.

Third Quarter of 2020 Compared to Third Quarter of 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our ammonia segment decreased by $22 million, or 12%, to $165 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $187 million in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to a 20% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 10% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $208 per ton in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $260 per ton in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. Higher sales volume was due to greater supply availability as a result of increased production.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our ammonia segment averaged $219 per ton in the third quarter of 2020, a 16% decrease from $261 per ton in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease is due primarily to the impact of lower realized natural gas costs, lower distribution costs and lower costs related to plant turnaround and maintenance activity.

Gross Margin. Gross margin in our ammonia segment decreased by $8 million to $(9) million in the third quarter of 2020 from $(1) million in the third quarter of 2019, and our gross margin percentage was (5.5)% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to (0.5)% in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to a 20% decrease in average selling prices, which reduced gross margin by $40 million. Lower average selling prices were partially offset by a $16 million net decrease in other manufacturing and distribution costs, a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $11 million, a 10% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $4 million, and the impact of a $1 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives in the third quarter of 2019.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our ammonia segment decreased by $125 million, or 15%, to $722 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $847 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due primarily to a 19% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 5% increase in sales volume. The decrease in average selling prices was due to increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. Sales volume was higher due to greater supply availability.

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Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our ammonia segment averaged $228 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, an 11% decrease from $256 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due primarily to the impact of lower realized natural gas costs.

Gross Margin. Gross margin in our ammonia segment decreased by $80 million to $113 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $193 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and our gross margin percentage was 15.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 22.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to a 19% decrease in average selling prices, which reduced gross margin by $165 million. Lower average selling prices were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $62 million, a 5% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $11 million, a $7 million net decrease in other manufacturing and distribution costs, and the impact of a $4 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to a $1 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

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 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 September 30,											Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020 v. 2019					2020			2019			2020 v. 2019
	(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales	$	249		$	327		$	(78)		(24)	%	$	915		$	1,103		$	(188)		(17)	%
Cost of sales	183			207			(24)			(12)	%	612			686			(74)			(11)	%
Gross margin	$	66		$	120		$	(54)		(45)	%	$	303		$	417		$	(114)		(27)	%
Gross margin percentage	26.5		%	36.7		%	(10.2)		%			33.1		%	37.8		%	(4.7)		%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)	1,107			1,200			(93)			(8)	%	3,802			3,880			(78)			(2)	%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)	510			552			(42)			(8)	%	1,749			1,785			(36)			(2)	%
Average selling price per product ton	$	225		$	273		$	(48)		(18)	%	$	241		$	284		$	(43)		(15)	%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)	$	488		$	592		$	(104)		(18)	%	$	523		$	618		$	(95)		(15)	%
Gross margin per product ton	$	60		$	100		$	(40)		(40)	%	$	80		$	107		$	(27)		(25)	%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)	$	129		$	217		$	(88)		(41)	%	$	173		$	234		$	(61)		(26)	%
Depreciation and amortization	$	60		$	66		$	(6)		(9)	%	$	198		$	211		$	(13)		(6)	%
Unrealized net mark-to-market (gain) loss on natural gas derivatives	$	—		$	—		$	—		—	%	$	(4)		$	1		$	(5)		N/M

_______________________________________________________________________________

N/M—Not Meaningful

(1)Granular urea represents 46% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.

Third Quarter of 2020 Compared to Third Quarter of 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our granular urea segment decreased $78 million, or 24%, to $249 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $327 million in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to an 18% decrease in average selling prices and an 8% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $225 per ton in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $273 per ton in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. Sales volume was lower due primarily to lower supply availability due to plant turnaround and maintenance activity and lower inventory levels entering the third quarter of 2020 due to robust product shipments earlier in the year.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our granular urea segment averaged $165 per ton in the third quarter of 2020, a 5% decrease from $173 per ton in the third quarter of 2019, primarily driven by lower production costs, including lower realized natural gas costs, and lower distribution costs.

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Gross Margin. Gross margin in our granular urea segment decreased by $54 million to $66 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $120 million in the third quarter of 2019, and our gross margin percentage was 26.5% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 36.7% in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to an 18% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $52 million, and an 8% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $12 million. These factors were partially offset by a $7 million net decrease in other manufacturing and distribution costs and lower realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $3 million.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our granular urea segment decreased $188 million, or 17%, to $915 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $1.10 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due primarily to a 15% decrease in average selling prices and a 2% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $241 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $284 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. Sales volume was lower due primarily to lower supply availability as a result of plant turnaround and maintenance activity.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our granular urea segment averaged $161 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a 9% decrease from $177 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs.

Gross Margin. Gross margin in our granular urea segment decreased by $114 million to $303 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $417 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and our gross margin percentage was 33.1% in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 37.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to a 15% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $166 million, and a 2% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $15 million. These factors were partially offset by lower realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $44 million, an $18 million net decrease in other manufacturing and distribution costs, and the impact of a $4 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to a $1 million loss in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

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 September 30,											Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020 v. 2019					2020			2019			2020 v. 2019
	(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales	$	248		$	309		$	(61)		(20)	%	$	791		$	934		$	(143)		(15)	%
Cost of sales	237			250			(13)			(5)	%	675			722			(47)			(7)	%
Gross margin	$	11		$	59		$	(48)		(81)	%	$	116		$	212		$	(96)		(45)	%
Gross margin percentage	4.4		%	19.1		%	(14.7)		%			14.7		%	22.7		%	(8.0)		%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)	1,725			1,741			(16)			(1)	%	4,955			4,880			75			2	%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)	545			550			(5)			(1)	%	1,561			1,537			24			2	%
Average selling price per product ton	$	144		$	177		$	(33)		(19)	%	$	160		$	191		$	(31)		(16)	%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)	$	455		$	562		$	(107)		(19)	%	$	507		$	608		$	(101)		(17)	%
Gross margin per product ton	$	6		$	34		$	(28)		(82)	%	$	23		$	43		$	(20)		(47)	%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)	$	20		$	107		$	(87)		(81)	%	$	74		$	138		$	(64)		(46)	%
Depreciation and amortization	$	69		$	66		$	3		5	%	$	186		$	183		$	3		2	%
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives	$	—		$	1		$	(1)		(100)	%	$	(4)		$	1		$	(5)		N/M

_______________________________________________________________________________

N/M—Not Meaningful

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(1)UAN represents between 28% and 32% of nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.

Third Quarter of 2020 Compared to Third Quarter of 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our UAN segment decreased $61 million, or 20%, to $248 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $309 million in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to a 19% decrease in average selling prices and a 1% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $144 per ton in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $177 per ton in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to increased imports into the United States as trade flows continue to adjust in response to the European Union anti-dumping duties.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our UAN segment averaged $138 per ton in the third quarter of 2020, a 3% decrease from $143 per ton in the third quarter of 2019, primarily driven by lower realized natural gas costs and the impact of lower distribution costs.

Gross Margin. Gross margin in our UAN segment decreased by $48 million to $11 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $59 million in the third quarter of 2019, and our gross margin percentage was 4.4% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 19.1% in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to a 19% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $62 million. Lower average selling prices were partially offset by lower realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $8 million, a $5 million net decrease in other manufacturing and distribution costs, and the impact of a $1 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives in the third quarter of 2019.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our UAN segment decreased $143 million, or 15%, to $791 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $934 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due primarily to a 16% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 2% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $160 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $191 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates and increased imports into the United States as trade flows adjust in response to the European Union anti-dumping duties. The increase in sales volume was due to greater supply availability.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our UAN segment averaged $137 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a 7% decrease from $148 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs.

Gross Margin. Gross margin in our UAN segment decreased by $96 million to $116 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $212 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and our gross margin percentage was 14.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 22.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to a 16% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $162 million, and a $14 million net increase in other manufacturing and distribution costs. These factors were partially offset by lower realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $64 million, a 2% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $11 million, and the impact of a $4 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to a $1 million loss in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

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AN Segment

Our AN segment produces ammonium nitrate (AN). AN, which has a nitrogen content between 29% and 35%, is produced by combining anhydrous ammonia and nitric acid. 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 September 30,											Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020 v. 2019					2020			2019			2020 v. 2019
	(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales	$	109		$	136		$	(27)		(20)	%	$	343		$	389		$	(46)		(12)	%
Cost of sales	96			100			(4)			(4)	%	290			308			(18)			(6)	%
Gross margin	$	13		$	36		$	(23)		(64)	%	$	53		$	81		$	(28)		(35)	%
Gross margin percentage	11.9		%	26.5		%	(14.6)		%			15.5		%	20.8		%	(5.3)		%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)	548			561			(13)			(2)	%	1,671			1,590			81			5	%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)	185			188			(3)			(2)	%	564			533			31			6	%
Average selling price per product ton	$	199		$	242		$	(43)		(18)	%	$	205		$	245		$	(40)		(16)	%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)	$	589		$	723		$	(134)		(19)	%	$	608		$	730		$	(122)		(17)	%
Gross margin per product ton	$	24		$	64		$	(40)		(63)	%	$	32		$	51		$	(19)		(37)	%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)	$	70		$	191		$	(121)		(63)	%	$	94		$	152		$	(58)		(38)	%
Depreciation and amortization	$	25		$	24		$	1		4	%	$	76		$	67		$	9		13	%
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives	$	—		$	—		$	—		—	%	$	—		$	—		$	—		—	%

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)AN represents between 29% and 35% of nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.

Third Quarter of 2020 Compared to Third Quarter of 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our AN segment decreased $27 million, or 20%, to $109 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $136 million in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to an 18% decrease in average selling prices and a 2% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $199 per ton in the third quarter of 2020 compared to $242 per ton in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. Sales volume declined due primarily to lower supply availability as a result of plant maintenance activity.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our AN segment averaged $175 per ton in the third quarter of 2020, a 2% decrease from $178 per ton in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs.

Gross Margin. Gross margin in our AN segment decreased $23 million, or 64%, to $13 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $36 million in the third quarter of 2019, and our gross margin percentage was 11.9% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 26.5% in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to an 18% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $24 million, a 2% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $3 million, and a net increase of $2 million in other manufacturing and distribution costs. These factors were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $6 million.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our AN segment decreased $46 million, or 12%, to $343 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $389 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due primarily to a 16% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 5% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $205 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to $245 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. The increase in sales volume was due to greater supply availability as a result of higher inventory levels entering 2020.

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Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our AN segment averaged $173 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, an 11% decrease from $194 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs and lower costs related to plant maintenance activity.

Gross Margin. Gross margin in our AN segment decreased by $28 million, or 35%, to $53 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $81 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and our gross margin percentage was 15.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 20.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to a 16% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $69 million. Lower average selling prices were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $29 million, a net decrease of $9 million in other manufacturing and distribution costs, and a 5% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $3 million.

Other Segment

Our Other segment primarily includes the following products:

•Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) is an aqueous urea solution typically made with 32.5% or 50% high-purity urea and the remainder 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 industrial product.

•Compound fertilizer products (NPKs) are 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 September 30,											Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2020			2019			2020 v. 2019					2020			2019			2020 v. 2019
	(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts)
Net sales	$	76		$	79		$	(3)		(4)	%	$	251		$	268		$	(17)		(6)	%
Cost of sales	74			65			9			14	%	215			224			(9)			(4)	%
Gross margin	$	2		$	14		$	(12)		(86)	%	$	36		$	44		$	(8)		(18)	%
Gross margin percentage	2.6		%	17.7		%	(15.1)		%			14.3		%	16.4		%	(2.1)		%
Sales volume by product tons (000s)	568			530			38			7	%	1,714			1,657			57			3	%
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1)	111			103			8			8	%	339			327			12			4	%
Average selling price per product ton	$	134		$	149		$	(15)		(10)	%	$	146		$	162		$	(16)		(10)	%
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1)	$	685		$	767		$	(82)		(11)	%	$	740		$	820		$	(80)		(10)	%
Gross margin per product ton	$	4		$	26		$	(22)		(85)	%	$	21		$	27		$	(6)		(22)	%
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1)	$	18		$	136		$	(118)		(87)	%	$	106		$	135		$	(29)		(21)	%
Depreciation and amortization	$	18		$	18		$	—		—	%	$	52		$	54		$	(2)		(4)	%
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives	$	—		$	—		$	—		—	%	$	—		$	—		$	—		—	%

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.

Third Quarter of 2020 Compared to Third Quarter of 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our Other segment decreased by $3 million, or 4%, to $76 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $79 million in the third quarter of 2019 due primarily to a 10% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 7% increase in sales volume. The decrease in average selling prices was due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. The increase in sales volume was due primarily to an increase in DEF, NPK and nitric acid sales volumes.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Other segment averaged $130 per ton in the third quarter of 2020, a 6% increase from $123 per ton in the third quarter of 2019, due primarily to higher costs related to plant maintenance activity and higher distribution costs.

Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Other segment decreased by $12 million, or 86%, to $2 million in the third quarter of 2020 from $14 million in the third quarter of 2019, and our gross margin percentage was 2.6% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to 17.7% in the third quarter of 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to an $8 million net increase in other

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manufacturing and distribution costs and a 10% decrease in average selling prices, which reduced gross margin by $7 million. These factors were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $2 million, and a 7% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $1 million.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

Net Sales. Net sales in our Other segment decreased by $17 million, or 6%, to $251 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $268 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due primarily to a 10% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 3% increase in sales volume. The decrease in average selling prices was due primarily to increased global nitrogen supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. The increase in sales volume was due primarily to higher NPK and DEF sales volumes, partially offset by lower nitric acid sales volume.

Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Other segment averaged $125 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, a 7% decrease from $135 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs.

Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Other segment decreased by $8 million, or 18%, to $36 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 from $44 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, and our gross margin percentage was 14.3% in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to 16.4% in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease in gross margin was due to a 10% decrease in average selling prices, which reduced gross margin by $24 million. Lower average selling prices were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $14 million, a 3% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $1 million, and a $1 million net decrease in other manufacturing and distribution costs.

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. In addition, we may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases, in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.

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 agreement. Our cash from operations could be affected by various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In March 2020, as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded in many locations around the world, credit markets began to function less efficiently, causing concern about liquidity in credit markets generally. In response to this and out of an abundance of caution, we borrowed $500 million under our $750 million revolving credit agreement to ensure we maintained ample financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global markets, including the financial credit markets. In April 2020, due to confidence in the functioning of the credit markets and strong nitrogen fertilizer business conditions, we repaid the $500 million of borrowings that were outstanding under our revolving credit agreement as of March 31, 2020.

As of September 30, 2020, our cash and cash equivalents balance was $553 million, an increase of $266 million from $287 million at December 31, 2019. At September 30, 2020, we were in compliance with all applicable covenant requirements under our revolving credit agreement, senior notes and senior secured notes, and unused borrowing capacity under our revolving credit agreement was $750 million.

Cash Equivalents

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.

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CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.

Share Repurchase Program

On February 13, 2019, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $1 billion of CF Holdings common stock through December 31, 2021 (the 2019 Share Repurchase Program). Repurchases under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, block transactions or otherwise. The manner, timing and amount of repurchases will be determined by our management based on the evaluation of market conditions, stock price, and other factors. During the first quarter of 2020, we repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares of CF Holdings common stock under the the 2019 Share Repurchase Program for $100 million. In the second quarter of 2020, we retired the approximately 2.6 million shares that were repurchased during the first quarter of 2020 under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program. No shares were repurchased in the second or third quarter of 2020 under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program. At September 30, 2020, we held 27,392 shares of treasury stock.

The following table summarizes the share repurchases under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program.



	Shares	Amounts
	(in millions)
Shares repurchased in 2019:
First quarter	1.5	$	60
Second quarter	2.7	118
Third quarter	1.5	72
Fourth quarter	1.9	87

Shares repurchased in 2019	7.6	337
Shares repurchased in 2020:
First quarter	2.6	100




Shares repurchased as of September 30, 2020	10.2	$	437

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 $206 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to $297 million in the first nine months of 2019.

We currently anticipate that capital expenditures for the full year of 2020 will be approximately $350 million, after taking into account actions we have taken to defer certain non-essential capital activity as a result of uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, including uncertainty regarding the duration of government actions implemented to slow the spread of the virus and the safety precautions we have implemented to protect the health and well-being of all our employees.

Planned capital expenditures are generally 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, delays in the receipt of equipment, 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. All of these factors may also be influenced or exacerbated by the direct or indirect impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Terra Amended Tax Returns

The Company completed the acquisition of Terra Industries Inc. (Terra) in April 2010. After the acquisition, the Company determined that the manner in which Terra reported the repatriation of cash from foreign affiliates to its U.S. parent for U.S. and foreign income tax purposes was not appropriate. As a result, in 2012 the Company amended certain tax returns, including Terra’s income and withholding tax returns, back to 1999 (the Amended Tax Returns) and paid additional income and withholding taxes, and related interest and penalties. In early 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the U.S. tax aspects of the Amended Tax Returns.

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In late 2019, we received notification that the Joint Committee had approved the IRS audit reports and related income tax refunds relating to the income tax related matter. Therefore, we expected to receive cash refunds in 2020. In the second quarter of 2020, we received notification that the Joint Committee approved the IRS audit report and related withholding tax refunds relating to the withholding tax matter and we received IRS Notices indicating the amount of tax and interest to be refunded and received with respect to the withholding tax matter and the income tax matter.

As a result of these events, in the second quarter of 2020, we recognized $16 million of interest income and $16 million of income tax benefit, which consisted of the following:

•additional interest income of $16 million ($13 million, net of tax) related to both the income tax matter and the withholding tax matter,

•a reduction in our liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of $12 million with a corresponding reduction in income tax expense related to the withholding tax matter, and

•an additional income tax benefit of $7 million related to the income tax matter.

Debt

Revolving Credit Agreement

Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement may be denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros 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. We 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.

CF Industries is the lead borrower under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The guarantors under the Revolving Credit Agreement are currently comprised of CF Holdings and CF Holdings’ wholly owned subsidiaries CF Industries Enterprises, LLC (CFE), CF Industries Sales, LLC (CFS), CF USA Holdings, LLC (CF USA) and CF Industries Distribution Facilities, LLC (CFIDF).

In March 2020, we borrowed $500 million under the Revolving Credit Agreement to ensure we maintained ample financial flexibility in light of the uncertainty in the global markets, including the financial credit markets, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, due to confidence in the functioning of the credit markets and strong nitrogen fertilizer business conditions, we repaid the $500 million of borrowings that were outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2020, which returned our unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement to $750 million.

As of September 30, 2020, we had unused borrowing capacity under the Revolving Credit Agreement of $750 million and no outstanding letters of credit. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2020 or December 31, 2019. Maximum borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $500 million. The weighted-average annual interest rate of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was 2.05%. There were no borrowings under the Prior Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

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Letters of Credit

Senior Notes

Long-term debt presented on our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 consisted of the following debt securities issued by CF Industries:


	Effective Interest Rate	September 30, 2020				December 31, 2019
		Principal		Carrying Amount(1)		Principal		Carrying Amount(1)
		(in millions)
Public Senior Notes:


3.450% due June 2023	3.562%	$	750	$	748	$	750	$	747
5.150% due March 2034	5.279%	750		741		750		740
4.950% due June 2043	5.031%	750		742		750		742
5.375% due March 2044	5.465%	750		741		750		741
Senior Secured Notes:
3.400% due December 2021	3.782%	250		249		250		248
4.500% due December 2026	4.759%	750		739		750		739
Total long-term debt		$	4,000	$	3,960	$	4,000	$	3,957

_______________________________________________________________________________

Public Senior Notes

On November 13, 2019, we redeemed in full all of the remaining $500 million outstanding principal amount of the 7.125% senior notes due May 2020 (the 2020 Notes), in accordance with the optional redemption provisions in the indenture governing the 2020 Notes. The total aggregate redemption price, excluding accrued interest paid on the 2020 Notes in connection with the redemption, was approximately $512 million. As a result, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $12 million, primarily consisting of premiums paid for the early retirement of debt for the 2020 Notes.

Under the indentures (including the applicable supplemental indentures) governing our senior notes due 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.

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 December 13, 2019, we redeemed $250 million principal amount, representing 50% of the $500 million principal amount outstanding immediately prior to such redemption, of the 3.400% senior secured notes due December 2021 (the 2021 Notes) in accordance with the optional redemption provisions in the indenture governing the 2021 Notes. The total aggregate redemption price, excluding accrued interest paid on the 2021 Notes redeemed in connection with the redemption, was approximately $257 million. As a result, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $9 million, primarily consisting of premiums paid for the early retirement of debt for the 2021 Notes.

Under the terms of the applicable indenture, the 2021 Notes and the 4.500% senior secured notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes, and together with the 2021 Notes, the Senior Secured Notes) are guaranteed on a senior secured basis, jointly and severally, by CF Holdings and each current and future domestic subsidiary of CF Holdings (other than CF Industries) that from time to time is a borrower, or guarantees indebtedness, under the Revolving Credit Agreement. The subsidiary guarantors of the Senior Secured Notes currently consist of CFE, CFS, CF USA and CFIDF.

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Subject to certain exceptions, the obligations under the Senior Secured Notes and each guarantor’s related guarantee are secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of CF Industries, CF Holdings and the subsidiary guarantors, including a pledge by CF USA of its equity interests in CFN and mortgages over certain material fee-owned domestic real properties (the Collateral). The obligations under the Revolving Credit Agreement, together with certain letter of credit, cash management, hedging and similar obligations and future pari passu secured indebtedness, are secured by the Collateral on a pari passu basis with the Senior Secured Notes. The liens on the Collateral securing the obligations under the Senior Secured Notes of a series and the related guarantees will be automatically released and the covenant under the applicable indenture limiting dispositions of Collateral will no longer apply if CF Holdings has an investment grade corporate rating, with a stable or better outlook, from two of three selected ratings agencies and there is no default or event of default under the applicable indenture.

Interest on the Senior Secured Notes is payable semiannually, 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.

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 value, are received shortly after the contract is executed, with any remaining unpaid amount generally being collected by the time control transfers to the customer, 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 control transfers and revenue is recognized. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had $143 million and $119 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, 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, further 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 may 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. From time to time, we may also use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Volatility in reported quarterly earnings can result from the unrealized mark-to-market adjustments in the value of the derivatives. As of September 30, 2020, our open natural gas derivative contracts consisted of natural gas fixed price swaps and basis swaps for 20.5 million MMBtus. As of December 31, 2019, our open natural gas derivative contracts consisted of natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and options for 41.1 million MMBtus.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

We contributed $38 million to our pension plans during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Over the remainder of 2020, we expect to contribute an additional $7 million to our pension plans, or a total of approximately $45 million for the full year 2020.

Distribution to Noncontrolling Interest in CFN

On July 31, 2020, the CFN Board of Managers approved semi-annual distribution payments for the distribution period ended June 30, 2020 in accordance with CFN’s limited liability company agreement. On July 31, 2020, CFN distributed $86 million to CHS for the distribution period ended June 30, 2020. The estimate of the partnership distribution earned by CHS, but not yet declared, for the third quarter of 2020 is approximately $32 million.

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Cash Flows

Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2020 was $941 million, a decrease of $262 million compared to $1.20 billion in the first nine months of 2019. The decrease in cash flow from operations was impacted by lower net earnings, partially offset by favorable changes in net working capital. During the first nine months of 2020, net changes in working capital contributed $69 million to cash flow from operations, while in the first nine months of 2019 net changes in working capital reduced cash flow from operations by $81 million. As further described under Terra Amended Tax Returns above, we received income tax refunds, including interest, of $108 million in the first nine months of 2020 related to the finalization of the amended U.S. tax returns related to Terra. These refunds offset cash tax payments and contributed to the net increase in working capital in the first nine months of 2020. We expect to be a domestic net cash tax payer going forward.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $201 million in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to $211 million in the first nine months of 2019. Net cash used in investing activities in the first nine months of 2019 included proceeds of $55 million related to the sale of our Pine Bend facility. During the first nine months of 2020, capital expenditures totaled $206 million compared to $297 million in the first nine months of 2019. The decrease in capital expenditures in 2020 was due primarily to actions taken to defer certain non-essential capital project activity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in maintenance activity.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $473 million in the first nine months of 2020 compared to $653 million in the first nine months of 2019. The decrease was due primarily to lower share repurchases. In the first nine months of 2020, we spent $100 million to repurchase shares of common stock compared to $280 million in the first nine months of 2019, which included approximately $33 million related to shares repurchased in late 2018 that were paid for in 2019. Dividends paid on common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 were $193 million and $200 million, respectively. Distributions to noncontrolling interest totaled $174 million in the first nine months of 2020 as compared to $186 million in the first nine months of 2019.

Contractual Obligations

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, except for the borrowing and repayment of $500 million under the Revolving Credit Agreement, there were no material changes outside the ordinary course of business to our contractual obligations described under the heading “Contractual Obligations” in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2020.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any 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 nine months of 2020.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2—New Accounting Standards 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 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2020, and Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Such factors include, among others:

•the impact of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, including measures taken by governmental authorities to slow the spread of the virus, on our business and operations;

•the cyclical nature of our business and the impact of global supply and demand on our selling prices;

•the global commodity nature of our fertilizer products, the conditions in the international market for nitrogen products, and the intense global competition from other fertilizer producers;

•conditions in the United States, Europe and other agricultural areas;

•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 and any additional indebtedness that may be incurred;

•our ability to maintain compliance with covenants under our revolving credit agreement and the agreements governing our indebtedness;

•downgrades of our credit ratings;

•risks associated with cyber security;

•weather conditions;

•risks associated with changes in tax laws and disagreements with taxing authorities;

•our reliance on a limited number of key facilities;

•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;

•risks associated with expansions of our business, including unanticipated adverse consequences and the significant resources that could be required;

•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;

•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 $33, $21, $15 and $15, respectively.

Natural gas is the largest and most volatile component of the manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based products. At certain times, we have managed the risk of changes in natural gas prices through the use of derivative financial instruments. The derivative instruments that we may use for this purpose are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and options. These derivatives settle using primarily a NYMEX futures price index, 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 September 30, 2020, we had natural gas fixed price swaps and basis swaps covering certain periods through March 2021.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had open derivative contracts for 20.5 million MMBtus and 41.1 million MMBtus, respectively. A $1.00 per MMBtu increase in the forward curve prices of natural gas at September 30, 2020 would result in a favorable change in the fair value of these derivative positions of $16 million, and a $1.00 per MMBtu decrease in the forward curve prices of natural gas would change their fair value unfavorably by $16 million.

From time to time we may purchase nitrogen products on the open market to augment or replace production at our facilities.

Interest Rates

As of September 30, 2020, we had six series of senior notes totaling $4.00 billion of principal outstanding with maturity dates of 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 September 30, 2020, the carrying value and fair value of our senior notes was approximately $3.96 billion and $4.58 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 September 30, 2020, or December 31, 2019. Maximum borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were $500 million. The weighted-average annual interest rate of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was 2.05%. There were no borrowings under the Prior Credit Agreement during the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rates

We are directly exposed to changes in the value of the Canadian dollar, the British pound and the euro. 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 September 30, 2020 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.

Litigation

West Fertilizer Co.

Environmental

Florida Environmental Matter

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Clean Air Act Notice of Violation

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

The disclosure below modifies the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2020. These risks, along with those previously disclosed, could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Our business and operations may be adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The outbreak and pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The rapid spread of COVID-19 has resulted in governmental authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place orders and shutdowns. Even though our business operations are designated as part of the critical infrastructure by the United States, United Kingdom and Canadian governments and the specific state and provincial governments in which we operate, these measures have impacted and may further impact all or portions of our workforce and operations. If significant portions of our workforce are unable to work effectively, including because of illness, quarantines, government actions, facility closures or other restrictions, we may be unable to meet customer demand or perform fully under our contracts.

In addition, our customers, suppliers and third party service providers, including transportation providers, have been, or may be in the future, affected by COVID-19, including the impact of measures taken by federal and local governments to slow the spread of the virus. Any negative impacts on our customers, suppliers and third party service providers could negatively impact our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. For example, global demand for nitrogen for industrial use has been negatively affected by the pandemic, and we expect this to continue as long as economic activity remains low due to the impacts of the pandemic. Restrictions on or disruptions of transportation, port closures or increased border controls or closures, or other impacts on domestic and global supply chains or distribution channels, could increase our costs, limit our ability to meet customer demand or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced and may further reduce the demand for energy, including crude oil, as well as natural gas and coal, which are nitrogen feedstocks. Reduced demand for nitrogen feedstocks has reduced and could further reduce the cost of nitrogen production outside of North America, increasing global nitrogen supply and reducing the market prices of our products. Lower demand for crude oil could also reduce the supply and therefore increase the cost of natural gas, which is the principal raw material used in our production of nitrogen fertilizers. In addition, lower crude oil prices, and a reduced demand for gasoline resulting from actions to slow the spread of COVID-19, have reduced ethanol production and therefore negatively impacted the demand for corn, which is a significant factor driving customer demand for our nitrogen fertilizers. The pandemic has also disrupted traditional food supply chains, which may have a material impact on livestock and food demand, including the demand for corn. Each of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

While the COVID-19 pandemic did not have a material adverse effect on our reported results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we are unable to predict the ultimate impact it may have on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The extent to which our operations may be impacted by COVID-19 will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including the further spread of the virus, the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak and the type and duration of actions that may be taken by various governmental authorities in response to the outbreak. The pandemic significantly increased global market uncertainty and caused an economic slowdown, which resulted in a global recession. Persistent weakness in economic activity caused by a deterioration of global market and economic conditions could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

The impact of COVID-19 may also exacerbate other risks discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2020, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us. This situation continues to change and additional impacts may arise that we are not aware of currently.

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

The following table sets forth share repurchases, on a trade date basis, for each of the three months of the quarter ended September 30, 2020.


	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(2)	Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares (or units) that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in thousands)(2)
July 1, 2020 - July 31, 2020	92	$	31.33	—	$	563,407
August 1, 2020 - August 31, 2020	27,300	33.13		—	563,407
September 1, 2020 - September 30, 2020	—	—		—	563,407
Total	27,392	$	33.12	—

_______________________________________________________________________________

(1)Represents shares withheld to pay employee tax obligations upon the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock units and the exercise of nonqualified stock options.

(2)On February 13, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized management to repurchase CF Holdings common stock for a total expenditure of up to $1 billion through December 31, 2021 (the 2019 Share Repurchase Program). This program is discussed in Note 14—Stockholders’ Equity, in the notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Part I.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS.


A list of exhibits filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (or incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed or furnished) is provided in the Exhibit Index on page 53 of this report.

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EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit No.			Description
















































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 September 30, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (1) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (2) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (3) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (4) Consolidated Statements of Equity, (5) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (6) the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
104			Cover Page Interactive Data File (included in Exhibit 101)

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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: November 5, 2020	By:	/s/ W. ANTHONY WILL
		W. Anthony Will President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: November 5, 2020	By:	/s/ CHRISTOPHER D. BOHN
		Christopher D. Bohn Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)