CF Industries Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)
Table of Contents
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 June 30, 2021
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 | CF | 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 ☒
215,099,967 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, were outstanding at August 2, 2021.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,588 | $ | 1,204 | $ | 2,636 | $ | 2,175 | |||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 1,085 | 870 | 1,844 | 1,637 | |||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | 503 | 334 | 792 | 538 | |||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 60 | 51 | 115 | 105 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other operating—net | 4 | 6 | 2 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total other operating costs and expenses | 64 | 57 | 117 | 117 | |||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate | 11 | 3 | 22 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating earnings | 450 | 280 | 697 | 427 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense | 46 | 49 | 94 | 93 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest income | — | (17) | — | (18) | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | 6 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Other non-operating—net | 2 | (3) | 2 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 402 | 251 | 595 | 355 | |||||||||||||||||||
Income tax provision | 85 | 33 | 103 | 46 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | 317 | 218 | 492 | 309 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | 71 | 28 | 95 | 51 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders | $ | 246 | $ | 190 | $ | 397 | $ | 258 | |||||||||||||||
Net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.89 | $ | 1.84 | $ | 1.20 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.89 | $ | 1.83 | $ | 1.20 | |||||||||||||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 215.5 | 214.5 | 215.2 | 215.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 216.6 | 214.6 | 216.3 | 215.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.60 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
1
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 317 | $ | 218 | $ | 492 | $ | 309 | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustment—net of taxes | 10 | 12 | 24 | (71) | |||||||||||||||||||
Defined benefit plans—net of taxes | (1) | 2 | — | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||
9 | 14 | 24 | (60) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | 326 | 232 | 516 | 249 | |||||||||||||||||||
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest | 71 | 28 | 95 | 51 | |||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income attributable to common stockholders | $ | 255 | $ | 204 | $ | 421 | $ | 198 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited) | |||||||||||
June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
(in millions, except share and per share amounts) | |||||||||||
Assets | |||||||||||
Current assets: | |||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 777 | $ | 683 | |||||||
Accounts receivable—net | 401 | 265 | |||||||||
Inventories | 290 | 287 | |||||||||
Prepaid income taxes | 68 | 97 | |||||||||
Other current assets | 33 | 35 | |||||||||
Total current assets | 1,569 | 1,367 | |||||||||
Property, plant and equipment—net | 7,437 | 7,632 | |||||||||
Investment in affiliate | 82 | 80 | |||||||||
Goodwill | 2,378 | 2,374 | |||||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 228 | 259 | |||||||||
Other assets | 313 | 311 | |||||||||
Total assets | $ | 12,007 | $ | 12,023 | |||||||
Liabilities and Equity | |||||||||||
Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 545 | $ | 424 | |||||||
Customer advances | 9 | 130 | |||||||||
Current operating lease liabilities | 83 | 88 | |||||||||
Current maturities of long-term debt | — | 249 | |||||||||
Other current liabilities | 6 | 15 | |||||||||
Total current liabilities | 643 | 906 | |||||||||
Long-term debt, net of current maturities | 3,713 | 3,712 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes | 1,156 | 1,184 | |||||||||
Operating lease liabilities | 150 | 174 | |||||||||
Other liabilities | 387 | 444 | |||||||||
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, 2021—215,093,493 shares issued and 2020—214,057,701 shares issued | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Paid-in capital | 1,357 | 1,317 | |||||||||
Retained earnings | 2,183 | 1,927 | |||||||||
Treasury stock—at cost, 2021—5,284 shares and 2020—102,843 shares | — | (4) | |||||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (296) | (320) | |||||||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 3,246 | 2,922 | |||||||||
Noncontrolling interest | 2,712 | 2,681 | |||||||||
Total equity | 5,958 | 5,603 | |||||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 12,007 | $ | 12,023 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
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 March 31, 2021 | $ | 2 | $ | (14) | $ | 1,333 | $ | 2,013 | $ | (305) | $ | 3,029 | $ | 2,641 | $ | 5,670 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | — | — | — | 246 | — | 246 | 71 | 317 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | 9 | 9 | — | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retirement of treasury stock | — | 13 | (2) | (11) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of $0.01 par value common stock under employee stock plans | — | 1 | 18 | — | — | 19 | — | 19 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | — | — | 8 | — | — | 8 | — | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share) | — | — | — | (65) | — | (65) | — | (65) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2021 | $ | 2 | $ | — | $ | 1,357 | $ | 2,183 | $ | (296) | $ | 3,246 | $ | 2,712 | $ | 5,958 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | $ | 2 | $ | (4) | $ | 1,317 | $ | 1,927 | $ | (320) | $ | 2,922 | $ | 2,681 | $ | 5,603 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | — | — | — | 397 | — | 397 | 95 | 492 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | 24 | 24 | — | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retirement of treasury stock | — | 13 | (2) | (11) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition of treasury stock under employee stock plans | — | (10) | — | — | — | (10) | — | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of $0.01 par value common stock under employee stock plans | — | 1 | 26 | — | — | 27 | — | 27 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | — | — | 16 | — | — | 16 | — | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends ($0.60 per share) | — | — | — | (130) | — | (130) | — | (130) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distribution declared to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | (64) | (64) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2021 | $ | 2 | $ | — | $ | 1,357 | $ | 2,183 | $ | (296) | $ | 3,246 | $ | 2,712 | $ | 5,958 |
(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 March 31, 2020 | $ | 2 | $ | (108) | $ | 1,313 | $ | 1,961 | $ | (440) | $ | 2,728 | $ | 2,675 | $ | 5,403 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | — | — | — | 190 | — | 190 | 28 | 218 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income | — | — | — | — | 14 | 14 | — | 14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retirement of treasury stock | — | 107 | (17) | (90) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition of treasury stock under employee stock plans | — | (1) | — | — | — | (1) | — | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of $0.01 par value common stock under employee stock plans | — | 2 | (2) | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | — | — | 6 | — | — | 6 | — | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends ($0.30 per share) | — | — | — | (64) | — | (64) | — | (64) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2020 | $ | 2 | $ | — | $ | 1,300 | $ | 1,997 | $ | (426) | $ | 2,873 | $ | 2,703 | $ | 5,576 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2019 | $ | 2 | $ | — | $ | 1,303 | $ | 1,958 | $ | (366) | $ | 2,897 | $ | 2,740 | $ | 5,637 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | — | — | — | 258 | — | 258 | 51 | 309 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss | — | — | — | — | (60) | (60) | — | (60) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Purchases of treasury stock | — | (100) | — | — | — | (100) | — | (100) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Retirement of treasury stock | — | 107 | (17) | (90) | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Acquisition of treasury stock under employee stock plans | — | (9) | — | — | — | (9) | — | (9) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of $0.01 par value common stock under employee stock plans | — | 2 | 1 | — | — | 3 | — | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | — | — | 13 | — | — | 13 | — | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash dividends ($0.60 per share) | — | — | — | (129) | — | (129) | — | (129) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Distribution declared to noncontrolling interest | — | — | — | — | — | — | (88) | (88) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2020 | $ | 2 | $ | — | $ | 1,300 | $ | 1,997 | $ | (426) | $ | 2,873 | $ | 2,703 | $ | 5,576 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Operating Activities: | |||||||||||
Net earnings | $ | 492 | $ | 309 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | |||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 447 | 450 | |||||||||
Deferred income taxes | (31) | (96) | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation expense | 16 | 13 | |||||||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | 6 | — | |||||||||
Unrealized net gain on natural gas derivatives | (6) | (12) | |||||||||
Unrealized loss on embedded derivative | 2 | 1 | |||||||||
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 2 | 9 | |||||||||
Undistributed earnings of affiliate—net of taxes | (4) | (8) | |||||||||
Changes in: | |||||||||||
Accounts receivable—net | (137) | (11) | |||||||||
Inventories | (9) | 51 | |||||||||
Accrued and prepaid income taxes | — | 190 | |||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | 85 | (43) | |||||||||
Customer advances | (121) | (110) | |||||||||
Other—net | (36) | (25) | |||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 706 | 718 | |||||||||
Investing Activities: | |||||||||||
Additions to property, plant and equipment | (181) | (119) | |||||||||
Insurance proceeds for property, plant and equipment | — | 2 | |||||||||
Purchase of investments held in nonqualified employee benefit trust | (12) | — | |||||||||
Proceeds from sale of investments held in nonqualified employee benefit trust | 12 | — | |||||||||
Other—net | (1) | — | |||||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (182) | (117) | |||||||||
Financing Activities: | |||||||||||
Proceeds from short-term borrowings | — | 500 | |||||||||
Repayments of short-term borrowings | — | (500) | |||||||||
Payments of long-term borrowings | (255) | — | |||||||||
Dividends paid on common stock | (130) | (129) | |||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interest | (64) | (88) | |||||||||
Purchases of treasury stock | — | (100) | |||||||||
Proceeds from issuances of common stock under employee stock plans | 26 | 3 | |||||||||
Cash paid for shares withheld for taxes | (10) | (9) | |||||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (433) | (323) | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 3 | (2) | |||||||||
Increase in cash and cash equivalents | 94 | 276 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 683 | 287 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 777 | $ | 563 |
See accompanying Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Background and Basis of Presentation
Our mission is to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably. With our employees focused on safe and reliable operations, environmental stewardship, and disciplined capital and corporate management, we are on a path to decarbonize our ammonia production network – the world’s largest – to enable green and blue hydrogen and nitrogen products for energy, fertilizer, emissions abatement and other industrial activities. Our nine manufacturing complexes in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, an extensive storage, transportation and distribution network in North America, and logistics capabilities enabling a global reach underpin our strategy to leverage our unique capabilities to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy. Our principal customers are cooperatives, independent fertilizer distributors, traders, wholesalers and industrial users. Our core product is anhydrous ammonia (ammonia), which contains 82% nitrogen and 18% hydrogen. Our nitrogen products that are upgraded from ammonia are granular urea, urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN) and ammonium nitrate (AN). Our other nitrogen products include diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), urea liquor, nitric acid and aqua ammonia, which are sold primarily to our industrial customers, and compound fertilizer products (NPKs), which are solid granular fertilizer products for which the nutrient content is a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
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, 2020, 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, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021. 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 carbon credits required to meet environmental regulations, 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.
6
2. 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 six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020:
Ammonia | Granular Urea | UAN | AN | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North America | $ | 431 | $ | 433 | $ | 403 | $ | 55 | $ | 92 | $ | 1,414 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe and other | 28 | — | 31 | 81 | 34 | 174 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 459 | $ | 433 | $ | 434 | $ | 136 | $ | 126 | $ | 1,588 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended June 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North America | $ | 344 | $ | 312 | $ | 288 | $ | 51 | $ | 56 | $ | 1,051 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe and other | 20 | 17 | 20 | 67 | 29 | 153 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 364 | $ | 329 | $ | 308 | $ | 118 | $ | 85 | $ | 1,204 |
Ammonia | Granular Urea | UAN | AN | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six months ended June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North America | $ | 599 | $ | 832 | $ | 625 | $ | 96 | $ | 169 | $ | 2,321 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe and other | 66 | — | 41 | 145 | 63 | 315 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 665 | $ | 832 | $ | 666 | $ | 241 | $ | 232 | $ | 2,636 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Six months ended June 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
North America | $ | 498 | $ | 643 | $ | 518 | $ | 97 | $ | 115 | $ | 1,871 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Europe and other | 59 | 23 | 25 | 137 | 60 | 304 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total revenue | $ | 557 | $ | 666 | $ | 543 | $ | 234 | $ | 175 | $ | 2,175 |
As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had $9 million and $130 million, respectively, in customer advances on our consolidated balance sheets. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, substantially all of the customer advances at the beginning of each respective period were recognized as revenue.
We offer cash incentives to certain customers generally based on the volume of their purchases over the fertilizer year ending June 30. Our cash incentives do not provide an option to the customer for additional product. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had $42 million and $24 million, respectively, of customer incentives accrued on our consolidated balance sheet.
From time to time, we will enter the marketplace to purchase product in order to satisfy obligations under contracts with our customers. When we purchase product for this purpose, we are the principal in the transaction and recognize revenue on a gross basis. As discussed in Note 7—Equity Method Investment, we have transactions in the normal course of business with Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited (PLNL), reflecting our obligation to purchase 50% of the ammonia produced by PLNL at current market prices. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, in addition to products purchased from PLNL, we recognized $36 million and $68 million, respectively, of revenue from sales of granular urea, which we purchased in order to satisfy obligations under contracts with our customers due to lower production experienced as a result of Winter Storm Uri. For the six months ended June 30, 2020, other than products purchased from PLNL, products purchased in the marketplace in order to satisfy obligations under contracts with our customers 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 June 30, 2021, 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 $787 million. We expect to recognize approximately 21% of these
7
performance obligations as revenue in the remainder of 2021, approximately 49% as revenue during 2022 and 2023, approximately 26% as revenue during 2024 and 2025, and the remainder thereafter. 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 $161 million as of June 30, 2021. Other than the performance obligations described above, any performance obligations with our customers that were unfulfilled or partially fulfilled at December 31, 2020 will be satisfied in 2021.
3. Net Earnings Per Share
Net earnings per share were computed as follows:
Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders | $ | 246 | $ | 190 | $ | 397 | $ | 258 | |||||||||||||||
Basic earnings per common share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 215.5 | 214.5 | 215.2 | 215.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.89 | $ | 1.84 | $ | 1.20 | |||||||||||||||
Diluted earnings per common share: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 215.5 | 214.5 | 215.2 | 215.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
Dilutive common shares—stock-based awards | 1.1 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 0.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding | 216.6 | 214.6 | 216.3 | 215.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.89 | $ | 1.83 | $ | 1.20 |
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 1.2 million in both the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, and 4.7 million and 3.4 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.
4. Inventories
Inventories consist of the following:
June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Finished goods | $ | 242 | $ | 246 | |||||||
Raw materials, spare parts and supplies | 48 | 41 | |||||||||
Total inventories | $ | 290 | $ | 287 |
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5. Property, Plant and Equipment—Net
Property, plant and equipment—net consists of the following:
June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Land | $ | 68 | $ | 68 | |||||||
Machinery and equipment | 12,664 | 12,539 | |||||||||
Buildings and improvements | 911 | 895 | |||||||||
Construction in progress | 380 | 275 | |||||||||
Property, plant and equipment(1) | 14,023 | 13,777 | |||||||||
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | 6,586 | 6,145 | |||||||||
Property, plant and equipment—net | $ | 7,437 | $ | 7,632 |
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had property, plant and equipment that was accrued but unpaid of approximately $76 million and $43 million, respectively. As of both June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we had property, plant and equipment that was accrued but unpaid of approximately $42 million.
Depreciation and amortization related to property, plant and equipment was $239 million and $439 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and $235 million and $443 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.
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:
Six months ended June 30, | |||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Net capitalized turnaround costs: | |||||||||||
Beginning balance | $ | 226 | $ | 246 | |||||||
Additions | 89 | 14 | |||||||||
Depreciation | (51) | (52) | |||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes | 1 | (4) | |||||||||
Ending balance | $ | 265 | $ | 204 |
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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6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The following table shows the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Ammonia | Granular Urea | UAN | AN | Other | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | $ | 587 | $ | 828 | $ | 576 | $ | 310 | $ | 73 | $ | 2,374 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes | 1 | — | — | 2 | 1 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2021 | $ | 588 | $ | 828 | $ | 576 | $ | 312 | $ | 74 | $ | 2,378 |
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:
June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Customer relationships | $ | 135 | $ | (56) | $ | 79 | $ | 133 | $ | (52) | $ | 81 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Trade names | 33 | (10) | 23 | 32 | (9) | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total intangible assets | $ | 168 | $ | (66) | $ | 102 | $ | 165 | $ | (61) | $ | 104 |
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 $4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and $2 million and $4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, 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 2021 and each of the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:
Estimated Amortization Expense | |||||
(in millions) | |||||
Remainder of 2021 | $ | 4 | |||
2022 | 9 | ||||
2023 | 9 | ||||
2024 | 9 | ||||
2025 | 9 | ||||
2026 | 9 | ||||
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7. Equity Method Investment
We have a 50% ownership interest in 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 June 30, 2021, the total carrying value of our equity method investment in PLNL was $82 million, $40 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 12 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.
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 $37 million and $63 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively, and $13 million and $23 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2020, respectively.
8. Fair Value Measurements
Our cash and cash equivalents and other investments consist of the following:
June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost Basis | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash | $ | 85 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 85 | |||||||||||||||
Cash equivalents: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. and Canadian government obligations | 672 | — | — | 672 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other debt securities | 20 | — | — | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total cash and cash equivalents | $ | 777 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 777 | |||||||||||||||
Nonqualified employee benefit trusts | 17 | 3 | — | 20 |
December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost Basis | Unrealized Gains | Unrealized Losses | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cash | $ | 108 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 108 | |||||||||||||||
Cash equivalents: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
U.S. and Canadian government obligations | 552 | — | — | 552 | |||||||||||||||||||
Other debt securities | 23 | — | — | 23 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total cash and cash equivalents | $ | 683 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 683 | |||||||||||||||
Nonqualified employee benefit trusts | 16 | 3 | — | 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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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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicate the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine such fair value:
June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | $ | 692 | $ | 692 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Nonqualified employee benefit trusts | 20 | 20 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | 1 | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | (1) | — | (1) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivative liability | (20) | — | (20) | — |
December 31, 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 | $ | 575 | $ | 575 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
Nonqualified employee benefit trusts | 19 | 19 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivative assets | 1 | — | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Derivative liabilities | (7) | — | (7) | — | |||||||||||||||||||
Embedded derivative liability | (18) | — | (18) | — |
Cash Equivalents
As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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, and changes in fair value are reported in other comprehensive income. Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale equity securities in the trust assets are recognized through earnings.
Derivative Instruments
The derivative instruments that we 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. See Note 12—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.
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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 and is included within other current liabilities and other liabilities. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the embedded derivative liability was $20 million and $18 million, respectively. Included in other operating—net in our consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 is a net loss of $2 million and $1 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:
June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Carrying Amount | Fair Value | Carrying Amount | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, including current maturities | $ | 3,713 | $ | 4,367 | $ | 3,961 | $ | 4,731 |
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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9. Income Taxes
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded an income tax provision of $85 million on pre-tax income of $402 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.2%, compared to an income tax provision of $33 million on pre-tax income of $251 million, or an effective tax rate of 13.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2020. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, our income tax provision includes a $19 million benefit related to the settlement of the audit of the Terra amended tax returns, which is further described below.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded an income tax provision of $103 million on pre-tax income of $595 million, or an effective tax rate of 17.4%, compared to an income tax provision of $46 million on pre-tax income of $355 million, or an effective tax rate of 13.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, our income tax provision includes a $22 million benefit reflecting the impact of agreement on certain issues related to U.S. federal income tax audits. For the six months ended June 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.
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 June 30, 2021 of 21.2%, which is based on pre-tax income of $402 million, including $71 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 4.6 percentage points higher if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $71 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2020 of 13.4%, which is based on pre-tax income of $251 million, including $28 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 1.6 percentage points higher if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $28 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2021 of 17.4%, which is based on pre-tax income of $595 million, including $95 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.3 percentage points higher if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $95 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2020 of 13.1%, which is based on pre-tax income of $355 million, including $51 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 2.1 percentage points higher if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $51 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. See Note 13—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.
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 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the U.S. tax aspects of the Amended Tax Returns.
In the second quarter of 2020, we received IRS notices indicating the amount of tax and interest to be refunded and received with respect to the income tax and withholding tax returns. As a result, we recognized $16 million of interest income ($13 million, net of tax) and $19 million of additional income tax benefit. In addition, in the second quarter of 2020, we received U.S. Federal income tax refunds, including interest, of $108 million relating to these matters. In July 2020, we received an additional $2 million, which finalized these matters with the IRS.
In 2017, we made a Voluntary Disclosures Program filing with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) with respect to the Canadian tax aspects of this matter and paid additional Canadian taxes due. In late 2020, the CRA settled with us the voluntary disclosure matter, and, in the first quarter of 2021, we received approximately $20 million of withholding tax refunds, including interest, from the CRA. These amounts were previously recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
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10. Interest Expense
Details of interest expense are as follows:
Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest on borrowings(1) | $ | 44 | $ | 47 | $ | 90 | $ | 93 | |||||||||||||||
Fees on financing agreements(1) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest on tax liabilities(2) | — | — | — | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||
Total interest expense | $ | 46 | $ | 49 | $ | 94 | $ | 93 |
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)See Note 11—Financing Agreements for additional information.
(2)Interest on tax liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2020 consists of a reduction in interest accrued on the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits.
11. Financing Agreements
Revolving Credit Agreement
We have a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the Revolving Credit Agreement), which 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 June 30, 2021, 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 June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020, or during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Maximum borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $500 million. The weighted-average annual interest rate of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was 2.05%. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2020 were repaid in full in April 2020.
The Revolving Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants. As of June 30, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Letters of Credit
In addition to the letters of credit that may be issued under the Revolving Credit Agreement, as described above, we have also entered into a bilateral agreement with capacity to issue up to $250 million of letters of credit. As of June 30, 2021, approximately $222 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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consisted of the following debt securities issued by CF Industries:
Effective Interest Rate | June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | Carrying Amount(1) | Principal | Carrying Amount(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Public Senior Notes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.450% due June 2023 | 3.562% | $ | 750 | $ | 748 | $ | 750 | $ | 748 | ||||||||||||||||||||
5.150% due March 2034 | 5.279% | 750 | 741 | 750 | 741 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.500% due December 2026 | 4.759% | 750 | 741 | 750 | 740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt | $ | 3,750 | $ | 3,713 | $ | 4,000 | $ | 3,961 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt | — | — | 250 | 249 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net of current maturities | $ | 3,750 | $ | 3,713 | $ | 3,750 | $ | 3,712 |
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)Carrying amount is net of unamortized debt discount and deferred debt issuance costs. Total unamortized debt discount was $9 million as of both June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and total deferred debt issuance costs were $28 million and $30 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, 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 indenture governing the 4.500% senior secured notes due December 2026 (the 2026 Notes) identified in the table above, the 2026 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 2026 Notes currently consist of CFE, CFS, CF USA and CFIDF.
On March 20, 2021, we redeemed in full all of the remaining $250 million outstanding principal amount 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 paid on the 2021 Notes in connection with the redemption was $258 million, including accrued interest. As a result, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $6 million, primarily consisting of a premium paid on the early redemption of the notes.
Interest on the Public Senior Notes and the 2026 Notes is payable semiannually, and the Public Senior Notes and the 2026 Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at specified make-whole redemption prices.
See Note 17—Subsequent Event for additional information regarding the 3.450% senior notes due June 2023.
16
12. Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in prices for natural gas that will be purchased in the future. Natural gas is the largest and most volatile component of our manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based products. From time to time, we may also use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The derivatives that we use to reduce our exposure to changes in prices for natural gas are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and options traded in the over-the-counter markets. These natural gas derivatives settle using primarily a NYMEX futures price index, which represents the basis for fair value at any given time. We enter into natural gas derivative contracts with respect to natural gas to be consumed by us in the future, and settlements of those derivative contracts are scheduled to coincide with our anticipated purchases of natural gas used to manufacture nitrogen products during those future periods. We use natural gas derivatives as an economic hedge of natural gas price risk, but without the application of hedge accounting. As a result, changes in fair value of these contracts are recognized in earnings. As of June 30, 2021, we had natural gas derivative contracts covering certain periods through March 2022.
As of June 30, 2021, our open natural gas derivative contracts consisted of natural gas basis swaps for 6.8 million MMBtus. As of December 31, 2020, we had open natural gas derivative contracts consisting of natural gas fixed price swaps and basis swaps for 34.1 million MMBtus of natural gas. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we used derivatives to cover approximately 13% of our natural gas consumption.
The effect of derivatives in our consolidated statements of operations is shown in the table below.
Gain (loss) recognized in income | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended June 30, | Six months ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Location | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized net gains on natural gas derivatives | Cost of sales | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 6 | $ | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Realized net losses on natural gas derivatives | Cost of sales | — | — | (3) | (16) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gain on net settlement of natural gas derivatives due to Winter Storm Uri | Cost of sales | — | — | 112 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net derivative gains (losses) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 115 | $ | (4) |
Gain on net settlement of natural gas derivatives due to Winter Storm Uri
We also enter into supply agreements to facilitate the availability of natural gas to operate our plants. When we purchase natural gas under these agreements, we intend to take physical delivery for use in our plants. Certain of these supply agreements allow us to fix the price of the deliveries for the following month using an agreed upon first of month price. We utilize the Normal Purchase Normal Sales (NPNS) derivative scope exception for these fixed price contracts and therefore, we do not account for them as derivatives.
In February 2021, the central portion of the United States experienced extreme and unprecedented cold weather due to the impact of Winter Storm Uri. Certain natural gas suppliers and natural gas pipelines declared force majeure events due to natural gas well freeze-offs or frozen equipment. This occurred at the same time as large increases in natural gas demand were occurring due to the extreme cold temperatures. Due to these unprecedented factors, several states declared a state of emergency and natural gas was redirected for residential usage. We net settled certain natural gas contracts with our suppliers and received prevailing market prices, which were in excess of our cost. We no longer qualified for the NPNS derivative scope exception for the natural gas that was net settled with our suppliers due to the impact of Winter Storm Uri. As a result, we recognized a gain of $112 million from the net settlement of these natural gas contracts, which is reflected in cost of sales in our consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
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The fair values of derivatives on our consolidated balance sheets are shown below. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, none of our derivative instruments were designated as hedging instruments. See Note 8—Fair Value Measurements for additional information on derivative fair values.
Asset Derivatives | Liability Derivatives | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance Sheet Location | June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | Balance Sheet Location | June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | (in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas derivatives | Other current assets | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | Other current liabilities | $ | (1) | $ | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Most of our International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) agreements contain credit-risk-related contingent features such as cross default provisions. In the event of certain defaults or termination events, our counterparties may request early termination and net settlement of certain derivative trades or, under certain ISDA agreements, may require us to collateralize derivatives in a net liability position. The Revolving Credit Agreement, at any time when it is secured, provides a cross collateral feature for those of our derivatives that are with counterparties that are party to, or affiliates of parties to, the Revolving Credit Agreement so that no separate collateral would be required for those counterparties in connection with such derivatives. In the event the Revolving Credit Agreement becomes unsecured, separate collateral could be required in connection with such derivatives. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the aggregate fair value of the derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features in net liability positions was zero and $6 million, respectively, which also approximates the fair value of the maximum amount of additional collateral that may need to be posted or assets that may be needed to settle the obligations if the credit-risk-related contingent features were triggered at the reporting dates. As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had no cash collateral on deposit with counterparties for derivative contracts. The credit support documents executed in connection with certain of our ISDA agreements generally provide us and our counterparties the right to set off collateral against amounts owing under the ISDA agreements upon the occurrence of a default or a specified termination event.
The following table presents amounts relevant to offsetting of our derivative assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020:
Amounts presented in consolidated balance sheets(1) | Gross amounts not offset in consolidated balance sheets | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Financial instruments | Cash collateral received (pledged) | Net amount | |||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative assets | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Total derivative liabilities | (1) | — | — | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net derivative liabilities | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||
December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total derivative assets | $ | 1 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 1 | |||||||||||||||
Total derivative liabilities | (7) | — | — | (7) | |||||||||||||||||||
Net derivative liabilities | $ | (6) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (6) |
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)We report the fair values of our derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis on our consolidated balance sheets. As a result, the gross amounts recognized and net amounts presented are the same.
We do not believe the contractually allowed netting, close-out netting or setoff of amounts owed to, or due from, the counterparties to our ISDA agreements would have a material effect on our financial position.
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13. Noncontrolling 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.
2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest: | |||||||||||
Balance as of January 1 | $ | 2,681 | $ | 2,740 | |||||||
Earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | 95 | 51 | |||||||||
Declaration of distributions payable | (64) | (88) | |||||||||
Balance as of June 30 | $ | 2,712 | $ | 2,703 | |||||||
Distributions payable to noncontrolling interest: | |||||||||||
Balance as of January 1 | $ | — | $ | — | |||||||
Declaration of distributions payable | 64 | 88 | |||||||||
Distributions to noncontrolling interest | (64) | (88) | |||||||||
Balance as of June 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 8—Fair Value Measurements for additional information.
On July 30, 2021, the CFN Board of Managers approved semi-annual distribution payments for the distribution period ended June 30, 2021 in accordance with CFN’s limited liability company agreement. On July 30, 2021, CFN distributed $130 million to CHS for the distribution period ended June 30, 2021.
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14. Stockholders’ Equity
Treasury Stock
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. Since the 2019 Share Repurchase Program was announced in February 2019, we have repurchased approximately 10.2 million shares for $437 million, including 2.6 million shares repurchased during the first quarter of 2020 for $100 million. No shares have been repurchased since the first quarter of 2020 under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program. At June 30, 2021, we held 5,284 shares of treasury stock.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes to accumulated other comprehensive loss and the impact on 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, 2019 | $ | (188) | $ | 5 | $ | (183) | $ | (366) | |||||||||||||||
Gain arising during the period | — | — | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification to earnings(1) | — | — | 3 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes and deferred taxes | (71) | — | 7 | (64) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2020 | $ | (259) | $ | 5 | $ | (172) | $ | (426) | |||||||||||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2020 | $ | (144) | $ | 4 | $ | (180) | $ | (320) | |||||||||||||||
Loss arising during the period | — | — | (3) | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||
Reclassification to earnings(1) | — | — | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
Effect of exchange rate changes and deferred taxes | 24 | — | (2) | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance as of June 30, 2021 | $ | (120) | $ | 4 | $ | (180) | $ | (296) |
____________________________________________________________________________
(1)Reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss to earnings during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 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.
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The Court granted in part and denied in part the CF Entities’ Motions for Summary Judgment in August 2015. Nearly all of the cases, including all wrongful death and personal injury claims, have been resolved pursuant to confidential settlements that have been or we expect will be fully funded by insurance. The remaining subrogation and statutory indemnification claims total approximately $37 million, before prejudgment interest, and are in various stages of discovery and pre-trial proceedings. The remaining claims are expected to be set for trial in 2022. We believe we have strong legal and factual defenses and intend to continue defending the CF Entities vigorously in the remaining 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, we expect any potential loss to be fully indemnified by insurance and do not believe that this litigation will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Other Litigation
From time to time, we are subject to ordinary, routine legal proceedings related to the usual conduct of our business, including proceedings regarding public utility and transportation rates, environmental matters, taxes and permits relating to the operations of our various plants and facilities. Based on the information available as of the date of this filing, we believe that the ultimate outcome of these routine matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Environmental
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 intended to undertake a natural resource damage assessment for 18 former phosphate mines and three former processing facilities in southeast Idaho, which includes the Georgetown Canyon former mine and processing facility. In June 2021, we received another notice from the U.S. Department of the Interior that the natural resource damage trustees were commencing a ‘subsequent’ phase of the natural resource damage assessment, but no further details were provided with respect to said assessment. 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 6—Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Segment data for sales, cost of sales and gross margin for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 are presented in the tables below.
Ammonia | Granular Urea(1) | UAN(1) | AN(1) | Other(1) | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 459 | $ | 433 | $ | 434 | $ | 136 | $ | 126 | $ | 1,588 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 333 | 241 | 296 | 120 | 95 | 1,085 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 126 | $ | 192 | $ | 138 | $ | 16 | $ | 31 | 503 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other operating costs and expenses | 64 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating earnings | $ | 450 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three months ended June 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 364 | $ | 329 | $ | 308 | $ | 118 | $ | 85 | $ | 1,204 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 262 | 205 | 245 | 91 | 67 | 870 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 102 | $ | 124 | $ | 63 | $ | 27 | $ | 18 | 334 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other operating costs and expenses | 57 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating earnings | $ | 280 |
Ammonia(2) | Granular Urea(1) | UAN(1) | AN(1) | Other(1) | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six months ended June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 665 | $ | 832 | $ | 666 | $ | 241 | $ | 232 | $ | 2,636 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 413 | 505 | 526 | 215 | 185 | 1,844 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 252 | $ | 327 | $ | 140 | $ | 26 | $ | 47 | 792 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other operating costs and expenses | 117 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating earnings | $ | 697 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six months ended June 30, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 557 | $ | 666 | $ | 543 | $ | 234 | $ | 175 | $ | 2,175 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 435 | 429 | 438 | 194 | 141 | 1,637 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 122 | $ | 237 | $ | 105 | $ | 40 | $ | 34 | 538 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other operating costs and expenses | 117 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating earnings | $ | 427 |
(1)The cost of the products that are upgraded into other products is transferred at cost into the upgraded product results.
(2)Cost of sales and gross margin for the ammonia segment in the six months ended June 30, 2021, include the $112 million gain on the net settlement of certain natural gas contracts with our suppliers. See Note 12—Derivative Financial Instruments for additional information.
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17. Subsequent Event
On August 9, 2021, we announced that CF Industries has elected to redeem on September 10, 2021, $250 million principal amount, representing one-third of the currently outstanding $750 million principal amount, of the 3.450% senior notes due 2023 (2023 Notes), in accordance with the optional redemption provisions provided in the indenture governing the 2023 Notes. We estimate, based on market interest rates on August 2, 2021, the total amount for the partial redemption of the 2023 Notes will be approximately $265 million, including accrued interest. The partial redemption of the 2023 Notes will be funded with cash on hand. See Note 11—Financing Agreements for additional information.
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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, 2020, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 24, 2021, 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
◦Our Commitment to a Clean Energy Economy
◦Market Conditions and Current Developments
◦Financial Executive Summary
◦Items Affecting Comparability of Results
•Consolidated Results of Operations
◦Second Quarter of 2021 Compared to Second Quarter of 2020
◦Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
•Operating Results by Business Segment
•Liquidity and Capital Resources
•Critical Accounting Estimates
•Forward-Looking Statements
Overview of CF Holdings
Our Company
Our mission is to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably. With our employees focused on safe and reliable operations, environmental stewardship, and disciplined capital and corporate management, we are on a path to decarbonize our ammonia production network – the world’s largest – to enable green and blue hydrogen and nitrogen products for energy, fertilizer, emissions abatement and other industrial activities. Our nine manufacturing complexes in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, an extensive storage, transportation and distribution network in North America, and logistics capabilities enabling a global reach underpin our strategy to leverage our unique capabilities to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy. Our principal customers are cooperatives, independent fertilizer distributors, traders, wholesalers and industrial users. Our core product is anhydrous ammonia (ammonia), which contains 82% nitrogen and 18% hydrogen. Our nitrogen products that are upgraded from ammonia are granular urea, urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN) and ammonium nitrate (AN). Our other nitrogen products include diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), urea liquor, nitric acid and aqua ammonia, which are sold primarily to our industrial customers, and compound fertilizer products (NPKs), which are solid granular fertilizer products for which the nutrient content is a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
Our principal assets as of June 30, 2021 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;
•two United Kingdom nitrogen manufacturing facilities located in Billingham and Ince;
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•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 (Trinidad) that we account for under the equity method.
Our Commitment to a Clean Energy Economy
In October 2020, we announced that we are taking significant steps to support a global hydrogen and clean fuel economy, through the production of green and blue ammonia. Since ammonia is one of the most efficient ways to transport and store hydrogen and is also a fuel in its own right, we believe that the Company, as the world’s largest producer of ammonia with an unparalleled manufacturing and distribution network and deep technical expertise, is uniquely positioned to fulfill anticipated demand for hydrogen and ammonia from green and blue sources. Our approach will focus on green ammonia production, which refers to ammonia produced through a carbon-free process, and blue ammonia, which relates to ammonia produced by conventional processes but with CO2 removed through carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) and other certified carbon abatement projects. We announced an initial green ammonia project at our flagship Donaldsonville nitrogen complex to produce approximately 20,000 tons per year of green ammonia. Additionally, we are developing CCS and other carbon abatement projects across our production facilities that will enable us to produce blue ammonia.
In April 2021, we signed an engineering and procurement contract with thyssenkrupp to supply a 20 MW alkaline water electrolysis plant to produce green hydrogen at our Donaldsonville nitrogen complex. Construction and installation, which will be managed by us, is expected to begin in the second half of 2021 and to finish in 2023. The cost of the project is expected to fit within our annual capital expenditure budgets. We will integrate the green hydrogen generated by the electrolysis plant into existing ammonia synthesis loops to enable the production of approximately 20,000 tons per year of green ammonia. We believe that, when completed in 2023, the Donaldsonville green ammonia project will be the largest of its kind in North America.
Market Conditions and Current Developments
Selling Prices and Sales Volume
Our average selling price was higher in the second quarter of 2021 than in the second quarter of 2020, driven by the impact of a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance, as a result of strong global demand as well as decreased global supply availability as higher global energy costs continued to drive lower global operating rates. In the second quarter of 2021, the average selling price for our products was $307 per ton, an increase of 37%, compared to $224 per ton in the second quarter of 2020. We reported higher average selling prices in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to the second quarter of 2020 across all our segments, which drove an increase in net sales of approximately $437 million. In the six months ended June 30, 2021, the average selling price for our products was $271 per ton, or 25% higher compared to $216 per ton for the six months ended June 30, 2020. This resulted in an increase in net sales of approximately $538 million.
Our total sales volume was 4% lower in the second quarter of 2021 than in the second quarter of 2020. We shipped 5.2 million tons of product in the second quarter of 2021 compared to 5.4 million tons in last year’s second quarter due primarily to the impact of decreased supply resulting from lower production of ammonia and the resulting upgraded products. Lower sales volume drove a decrease in net sales of approximately $82 million.
We shipped 9.7 million tons of product in the first six months of 2021 compared to 10.1 million tons in the first six months of 2020, or a decline of 3%. Lower sales volume drove a decrease in net sales of approximately $138 million. The decrease in total sales volume was due primarily to the impact of decreased supply resulting from lower production in our ammonia, granular urea and AN segments in the first six months of 2021 as a result of severe weather conditions in the first quarter of 2021 due to Winter Storm Uri, which disrupted natural gas supply at certain of our facilities, and higher maintenance activity. Due to the lower production, we procured additional granular urea in order to meet customer obligations and provide additional manufacturing flexibility once production resumed. During the six months ended June 30, 2021, to meet customer obligations, we purchased 201,000 tons of granular urea for $71 million, which we sold to customers for $68 million.
We currently expect sales volumes for our products in 2021 will be approximately 19 million product tons as a result of the increase in maintenance activity due to maintenance deferred from 2020, activity previously planned to occur in 2022 and the severe weather conditions in the first quarter of 2021.
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Natural Gas
Natural gas is the principal raw material used to produce our nitrogen products. 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.
In February 2021, the central portion of the United States experienced extreme and unprecedented cold weather due to the impact of Winter Storm Uri. Certain natural gas suppliers and natural gas pipelines declared force majeure events due to natural gas well freeze-offs or frozen equipment. This occurred at the same time as large increases in natural gas demand were occurring due to the cold temperatures. Due to these unprecedented factors, several states declared a state of emergency and natural gas was redirected for residential usage. At certain of our manufacturing locations, we reduced our natural gas consumption and therefore these plants either operated at reduced rates or temporarily suspended operations. We net settled certain natural gas contracts with our suppliers and received prevailing market prices, which were in excess of our cost. As a result, we recognized a gain of $112 million, which is reflected in cost of sales in our consolidated statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
Most of our nitrogen manufacturing facilities are located in the United States and Canada. As a result, the price of natural gas in North America, which is subject to volatility, directly impacts a substantial portion of our operating expenses. Natural gas prices during the first six months of 2021 were higher than in the first six months of 2020, due primarily to the impact of extreme cold weather in the first quarter of 2021, including Winter Storm Uri in February 2021, followed by above normal temperatures in the second quarter of 2021 and increased energy demand as the economy emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 June 30, 2021 was $2.88 per MMBtu compared to $1.65 per MMBtu for the three months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of 75%. The average daily market price at the Henry Hub for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $3.13 per MMBtu compared to $1.76 per MMBtu for the six months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of 78%. As a result of Winter Storm Uri, the daily closing price at the Henry Hub reached a high of $23.61 per MMBtu on February 18, 2021.
We also have manufacturing facilities located in the United Kingdom. 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 average daily market price of natural gas at NBP for the three months ended June 30, 2021 was $8.90 per MMBtu compared to $1.60 per MMBtu for the three months ended June 30, 2020. The price of natural gas in the United Kingdom increased in the first six months of 2021 due primarily to a tighter supply and demand balance in the global liquefied natural gas market as a result of severe cold temperatures in Asia that increased global liquefied natural gas demand and resulted in record Asian prices for liquefied natural gas, raising European market prices to compete for limited supply. The average daily market price at the NBP for the six months ended June 30, 2021 was $7.90 per MMBtu compared to $2.40 per MMBtu for the six months ended June 30, 2020, an increase of 229%. Subsequent to June 30, 2021, the average daily market price of natural gas at NBP for July 2021 was $12.37 per MMBtu.
In the second quarter of 2021, the cost of natural gas used for production, which includes the impact of realized natural gas derivatives, increased 75% to $3.25 per MMBtu in the three months ended June 30, 2021 from $1.86 per MMBtu in the three months ended June 30, 2020. This increase in natural gas costs resulted in a decrease in gross margin of approximately $131 million. In the first half of 2021, the cost of natural gas used for production, which includes the impact of realized natural gas derivatives and excludes the $112 million gain that resulted from the net settlement of certain natural gas contracts with our suppliers, increased 47% to $3.24 per MMBtu in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $2.20 per MMBtu in the six months ended June 30, 2020. This increase in natural gas costs resulted in a decrease in gross margin of approximately $179 million.
Manufacturing Costs and Granular Urea Purchases
In the first half of 2021, we experienced lower production levels and higher manufacturing and maintenance costs. In response to the lower production levels, we procured granular urea in order to meet customer obligations and provide additional manufacturing flexibility. The following summarizes the impact from these activities:
•Certain of our plants operated at lower operating rates or temporarily suspended operations due to the lack of natural gas due to Winter Storm Uri or due to maintenance activity in 2021 that was deferred from 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because of these factors, in the first half of 2021, we incurred higher costs for manufacturing, maintenance and repair activity for both scheduled and unscheduled downtime.
•Due to the lower production, we procured additional granular urea in order to meet customer obligations. In the first half of 2021, we purchased approximately $71 million of granular urea, which we sold to customers for $68 million.
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COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic. Due to the use of fertilizer products in crop production to support the global food supply chain, our business operations were designated as part of the critical infrastructure by the United States and as essential businesses in the United Kingdom and Canada, with corresponding designations by those states and provinces in which we operate. As a result, our manufacturing complexes continued to operate during 2020 and have continued to operate through the date of this report. In addition, 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. Through the date of this report, we have not experienced any meaningful impact in customer demand as a result of the pandemic.
In response to the pandemic, we instituted and have continued to enforce safety precautions to protect the health and well-being of all of our employees, including the manufacturing workforce who operate our nitrogen complexes and distribution facilities. We will continue to monitor safety guidelines related to COVID-19 as issued by governmental authorities and adjust our safety protocols, as needed.
Financial Executive Summary
We reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $246 million for the three months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $190 million for the three months ended June 30, 2020, an increase in net earnings of $56 million, or 29%. The increase in net earnings was due primarily to higher average selling prices, partially offset by higher natural gas costs and higher costs related to manufacturing, maintenance and repair activity. Gross margin increased by $169 million in the second quarter of 2021 to $503 million as compared to $334 million in the second quarter of 2020. The following table and related discussion describe the significant factors that drove the increase in gross margin.
Variance due to the following items: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Quarter of 2020 | Higher Average Selling Prices(1) | Volume(1) | Higher Natural Gas Costs(2) | Higher Manufacturing, Maintenance, and Other Costs | Increase in Purchased Urea(3) | Second Quarter of 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,204 | $ | 437 | $ | (82) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 29 | $ | 1,588 | |||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 870 | — | (52) | 131 | 105 | 31 | 1,085 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 334 | $ | 437 | $ | (30) | $ | (131) | $ | (105) | $ | (2) | $ | 503 | |||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 27.7 | % | 31.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1)Selling price and volume impact of granular urea purchased to satisfy customer commitments is reflected in the Increase in Purchased Urea column.
(2)Higher natural gas costs include the impact, if any, of realized natural gas derivatives.
(3)Represents the impact of the incremental tons compared to the prior year period.
•Average selling prices increased 37% to $307 per ton in the second quarter of 2021 from $224 per ton in the second quarter of 2020, which increased gross margin by $437 million,
•Sales volume declined by 4% to 5.2 million tons in the second quarter of 2021 from 5.4 million tons in the second quarter of 2020, which reduced gross margin by $30 million,
•The cost of natural gas used for production increased 75% to $3.25 per MMBtu in the second quarter of 2021 from $1.86 per MMBtu in the second quarter of 2020, which reduced gross margin by $131 million,
•We incurred higher manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which reduced gross margin by $105 million, due primarily to higher plant turnaround, maintenance and repair activities, and
•During the second quarter of 2021, to meet customer obligations, we purchased 104,000 tons of granular urea, an increase of 80,000 tons compared to the second quarter of 2020.
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders increased $0.25 per share, to $1.14 per share, in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $0.89 per share in the second quarter of 2020. This increase was due primarily to higher net earnings driven by the increase in average selling prices described above.
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Items Affecting Comparability of Results
In addition to the impact of market conditions, winter storms and manufacturing and maintenance activity discussed above, certain items impacted the comparability of our financial results during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020. 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 June 30, 2021 and 2020, we reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $246 million and $190 million, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $397 million and $258 million, respectively.
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pre-Tax | After-Tax | Pre-Tax | After-Tax | Pre-Tax | After-Tax | Pre-Tax | After-Tax | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives(1) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (6) | $ | (5) | $ | (12) | $ | (9) | |||||||||||||||||||
Special COVID-19 bonus for operational workforce(1) | — | — | 15 | 12 | — | — | 15 | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss (gain) on foreign currency transactions, including intercompany loans(2) | 3 | 3 | (5) | (4) | 3 | 3 | 13 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Engineering cost write-off(2) | — | — | 8 | 6 | — | — | 8 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Insurance proceeds(2) | — | — | — | — | — | — | (10) | (8) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | — | — | 6 | 5 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Terra amended tax returns—interest income and income tax benefit(3) | — | — | (16) | (32) | — | — | (16) | (32) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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(1)Included in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations.
(2)Included in other operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations.
(3)Included in interest income and income tax provision in our consolidated statements of operations.
Unrealized net mark-to-market 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 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 six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized unrealized net mark-to-market gains of $6 million and $12 million, respectively.
Special COVID-19 bonus for operational workforce
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, of which approximately $15 million was recognized in cost of sales in our consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020, and the remaining $4 million was recognized in the third quarter of 2020.
Loss (gain) on foreign currency transactions, including intercompany loans
In the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we recognized losses of $3 million and $13 million, respectively, which consist of foreign currency exchange rate impacts on foreign currency denominated transactions, including 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, $8 million of previously capitalized engineering costs were expensed in the three months ended June 30, 2020. The expense is reflected in other operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations.
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Insurance proceeds
In the six months ended June 30, 2020, we recognized income of $10 million related to insurance claims at one of our nitrogen complexes, which consisted of $8 million related to business interruption proceeds and $2 million related to property insurance proceeds. These proceeds are reflected in other operating—net in our consolidated statement of operations.
Loss on debt extinguishment
On March 20, 2021, we redeemed in full all of the remaining $250 million outstanding principal amount 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 paid on the 2021 Notes in connection with the redemption was $258 million, including accrued interest. As a result, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $6 million, primarily consisting of a premium paid on the early redemption of the notes.
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 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the U.S. tax aspects of the Amended Tax Returns.
In the second quarter of 2020, we received IRS notices indicating the amount of tax and interest to be refunded and received with respect to the income tax and withholding tax returns. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Terra Amended Tax Returns,” below, for additional information. As a result, we recognized $16 million of interest income ($13 million, net of tax) and $19 million of additional income tax benefit. In addition, in the second quarter of 2020, we received U.S. Federal income tax refunds, including interest, of $108 million relating to these matters. In July 2020, we received an additional $2 million, which finalized these matters with the IRS.
In 2017, we made a Voluntary Disclosures Program filing with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) with respect to the Canadian tax aspects of this matter and paid additional Canadian taxes due. In late 2020, the CRA settled with us the voluntary disclosure matter, and, in the first quarter of 2021, we received approximately $20 million of withholding tax refunds, including interest, from the CRA. These amounts were previously recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The following table presents our consolidated results of operations and supplemental data:
Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share and per MMBtu) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,588 | $ | 1,204 | $ | 384 | 32 | % | $ | 2,636 | $ | 2,175 | $ | 461 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 1,085 | 870 | 215 | 25 | % | 1,844 | 1,637 | 207 | 13 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | 503 | 334 | 169 | 51 | % | 792 | 538 | 254 | 47 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 31.7 | % | 27.7 | % | 4.0 | % | 30.0 | % | 24.7 | % | 5.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 60 | 51 | 9 | 18 | % | 115 | 105 | 10 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other operating—net | 4 | 6 | (2) | (33) | % | 2 | 12 | (10) | (83) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total other operating costs and expenses | 64 | 57 | 7 | 12 | % | 117 | 117 | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate | 11 | 3 | 8 | N/M | 22 | 6 | 16 | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating earnings | 450 | 280 | 170 | 61 | % | 697 | 427 | 270 | 63 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Interest expense—net | 46 | 32 | 14 | 44 | % | 94 | 75 | 19 | 25 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | — | — | % | 6 | — | 6 | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other non-operating—net | 2 | (3) | 5 | N/M | 2 | (3) | 5 | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Earnings before income taxes | 402 | 251 | 151 | 60 | % | 595 | 355 | 240 | 68 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Income tax provision | 85 | 33 | 52 | 158 | % | 103 | 46 | 57 | 124 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings | 317 | 218 | 99 | 45 | % | 492 | 309 | 183 | 59 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | 71 | 28 | 43 | 154 | % | 95 | 51 | 44 | 86 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net earnings attributable to common stockholders | $ | 246 | $ | 190 | $ | 56 | 29 | % | $ | 397 | $ | 258 | $ | 139 | 54 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders | $ | 1.14 | $ | 0.89 | $ | 0.25 | 28 | % | $ | 1.83 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 0.63 | 53 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 216.6 | 214.6 | 2.0 | 1 | % | 216.3 | 215.6 | 0.7 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.30 | $ | 0.30 | $ | — | — | % | $ | 0.60 | $ | 0.60 | $ | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Natural gas supplemental data (per MMBtu) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of natural gas used for production in cost of sales(1) | $ | 3.25 | $ | 1.86 | $ | 1.39 | 75 | % | $ | 3.24 | $ | 2.20 | $ | 1.04 | 47 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average daily market price of natural gas Henry Hub (Louisiana) | $ | 2.88 | $ | 1.65 | $ | 1.23 | 75 | % | $ | 3.13 | $ | 1.76 | $ | 1.37 | 78 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average daily market price of natural gas National Balancing Point (UK) | $ | 8.90 | $ | 1.60 | $ | 7.30 | N/M | $ | 7.90 | $ | 2.40 | $ | 5.50 | 229 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | % | $ | (6) | $ | (12) | $ | 6 | 50 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 243 | $ | 239 | $ | 4 | 2 | % | $ | 447 | $ | 450 | $ | (3) | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 110 | $ | 52 | $ | 58 | 112 | % | $ | 181 | $ | 119 | $ | 62 | 52 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 5,174 | 5,386 | (212) | (4) | % | 9,738 | 10,074 | (336) | (3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Production volume by product tons (000s): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ammonia(2) | 2,232 | 2,483 | (251) | (10) | % | 4,711 | 5,153 | (442) | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Granular urea | 968 | 1,206 | (238) | (20) | % | 2,152 | 2,491 | (339) | (14) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAN (32%) | 1,628 | 1,708 | (80) | (5) | % | 3,317 | 3,307 | 10 | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AN | 449 | 546 | (97) | (18) | % | 924 | 1,061 | (137) | (13) | % |
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N/M—Not Meaningful
(1)Includes the cost of natural gas used for production and related transportation that is included in cost of sales during the period under the first-in, first-out inventory cost method. 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. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, excludes the $112 million gain on net settlement of certain natural gas contracts with our suppliers due to Winter Storm Uri in February 2021.
(2)Gross ammonia production, including amounts subsequently upgraded on-site into granular urea, UAN, or AN.
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Second Quarter of 2021 Compared to Second Quarter of 2020
Net Sales
Our total net sales increased $384 million, or 32%, to $1.59 billion in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $1.20 billion in the second quarter of 2020 due to an increase in average selling prices, partially offset by a decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices increased by 37% due to strong market conditions, which was partially offset by a 4% decline in sales volume. The increase in net sales also reflects the sale of 104,000 tons of granular urea that we purchased during the second quarter of 2021 to meet customer obligations, an increase of 80,000 tons compared to the second quarter of 2020.
Our average selling price was $307 per ton in the second quarter of 2021, or 37% higher, compared to $224 per ton in the second quarter of 2020 due to higher average selling prices across all of our segments, primarily driven by the impact of a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance, as a result of strong global demand as well as decreased global supply availability as higher global energy costs continued to drive lower global operating rates.
Our total sales volume of 5.2 million product tons in the second quarter of 2021 was 4% lower compared to 5.4 million tons in the second quarter of 2020 as lower sales volume in our granular urea, ammonia and AN segments was offset by higher sales volume in our UAN and Other segments. Sales volume was lower as a result of lower production due to reduced plant operating rates as a result of higher plant turnaround and maintenance activity in 2021.
Cost of Sales
Our total cost of sales increased $215 million, or 25%, to $1.09 billion in the second quarter of 2021 from $870 million in the second quarter of 2020. The increase in our cost of sales was due primarily to higher costs for natural gas, which increased cost of sales by $131 million, and higher manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased cost of sales by $105 million. These increases were partially offset by a decline in cost of sales of $52 million due primarily to a 4% decline in sales volume. The increase in cost of sales also reflects the purchase of 104,000 tons of granular urea to meet customer obligations, an increase of 80,000 tons compared to the second quarter of 2020.
Cost of sales averaged $210 per ton in the second quarter of 2021, a 30% increase from $162 per ton in the second quarter of 2020. The cost of natural gas used for production, including the impact of realized derivatives, increased 75% to $3.25 per MMBtu in the second quarter of 2021 from $1.86 per MMBtu in the second quarter of 2020.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $9 million to $60 million in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to $51 million in the second quarter of 2020. The increase was due primarily to higher incentive compensation due to strong operating performance.
Other Operating—Net
Other operating—net was $4 million of expense in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $6 million of expense in the second quarter of 2020. The $4 million of expense in the second quarter of 2021 was due primarily to the loss on foreign currency transactions of $3 million, which consists of foreign currency exchange rate impacts on foreign currency denominated transactions, including the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany loans that were not permanently invested. The $6 million of expense in the second quarter of 2020 was due primarily to $8 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,” partially offset by a gain on foreign currency transactions of $5 million.
Equity in Earnings of Operating Affiliate
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate was $11 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $3 million in the second quarter of 2020. The increase in the second quarter of 2021 was due primarily to an increase in the operating results of PLNL as a result of higher ammonia selling prices.
Interest Expense—Net
Net interest expense was $46 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $32 million in the second quarter of 2020. The second quarter of 2020 included $16 million of interest income 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.
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Income Taxes
For the three months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded an income tax provision of $85 million on pre-tax income of $402 million, or an effective tax rate of 21.2%, compared to an income tax provision of $33 million on pre-tax income of $251 million, or an effective tax rate of 13.4%, for the three months ended June 30, 2020. For the three months ended June 30, 2020, our income tax provision includes a $19 million benefit related to the settlement of the audit of the Terra Amended Tax Returns, which is more fully described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Terra Amended Tax Returns,” below.
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 three months ended June 30, 2021 of 21.2%, which is based on pre-tax income of $402 million, including $71 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 4.6 percentage points higher, or 25.8%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $71 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2020 of 13.4%, which is based on pre-tax income of $251 million, including $28 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 1.6 percentage points higher, or 15.0%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $28 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. See Note 9—Income Taxes and Note 13—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest increased $43 million to $71 million in the second quarter of 2021 as compared to $28 million in the second quarter of 2020 due to higher earnings of CFN driven by higher average selling prices due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance, as a result of strong global demand as well as decreased global supply availability as higher global energy costs continued to drive lower global operating rates.
Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders
Net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders increased $0.25 to $1.14 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2021 from $0.89 per diluted share in the second quarter of 2020. This increase was due primarily to higher net earnings, driven by the increase in average selling prices described above.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Net Sales
Our total net sales increased $461 million, or 21%, to $2.64 billion in the first six months of 2021 as compared to $2.18 billion in the first six months of 2020 due to a 25% increase in average selling prices, partially offset by a 3% decrease in sales volume. The increase in net sales also reflects the sale of 201,000 tons of granular urea that we purchased during the first half of 2021 to meet customer obligations, an increase of 177,000 tons compared to the first half of 2020.
Average selling prices were $271 per ton in the first six months of 2021, or 25% higher compared to $216 per ton in the first six months of 2020 due to higher average selling prices across all of our segments, primarily driven by the impact of a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance, as a result of strong global demand as well as decreased global supply availability as higher global energy costs continued to drive lower global operating rates.
Our total sales volume of 9.7 million product tons in the first six months of 2021 was 3% lower compared to 10.1 million product tons in the first six months of 2020 as a result of lower production due to the temporary idling of certain plants due to Winter Storm Uri and reduced plant operating rates as a result of higher plant turnaround, maintenance and repair activities in 2021.
Cost of Sales
Our total cost of sales increased $207 million, or 13%, to $1.84 billion in the first six months of 2021 as compared to $1.64 billion in the first six months of 2020. The increase in our cost of sales was due primarily to higher costs for natural gas, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased cost of sales by $179 million, higher manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased cost of sales by $168 million, and higher costs for purchased products as we purchased $71 million of granular urea during the first half of 2021 to meet customer obligations.
These increases were partially offset by the $112 million gain we recognized from the net settlement of certain natural gas contracts with our suppliers in February 2021 due to Winter Storm Uri as described above under the heading “Natural Gas” in the section titled “Market Conditions and Current Developments.” The $112 million gain on the net settlement of certain natural gas contracts in February 2021 is reflected in, and had the effect of reducing, our cost of sales in the first six months of
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2021. In addition, there was a $98 million decline in cost of sales in the first six months of 2021, as compared to the first six months of 2020, due primarily to a 3% decline in sales volume.
Cost of sales averaged $189 per ton in the first six months of 2021, a 17% increase from $161 per ton in the first six months of 2020. The cost of natural gas used for production, including the impact of realized derivatives, increased 47% to $3.24 per MMBtu in the first six months of 2021 from $2.20 per MMBtu in the first six months of 2020. The cost of natural gas used for production of $3.24 per MMBtu in the first half of 2021 does not include the $112 million gain from the net settlement of certain natural gas contracts in February 2021.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10 million to $115 million in the first six months of 2021 as compared to $105 million in the first six months of 2020. The increase was due primarily to higher incentive compensation due to strong operating performance.
Other Operating—Net
Other operating—net was $2 million of expense in the first six months of 2021 compared to $12 million of expense in the first six months of 2020. The expense in the first six months of 2020 includes $8 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 $13 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.
Equity in Earnings of Operating Affiliate
Equity in earnings of operating affiliate was $22 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $6 million in the first six months of 2020. The increase was due primarily to an increase in the operating results of PLNL as a result of higher ammonia selling prices.
Interest Expense—Net
Net interest expense increased by $19 million to $94 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $75 million in the first six months of 2020. The increase is due to $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.
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
On March 20, 2021, we redeemed in full all of the remaining $250 million outstanding principal amount of the 2021 Notes in accordance with the optional redemption provisions in the indenture governing the 2021 Notes. The total aggregate redemption price paid on the 2021 Notes in connection with the redemption was $258 million, including accrued interest. As a result, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $6 million, primarily consisting of a premium paid on the early redemption of the notes.
Income Taxes
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded an income tax provision of $103 million on pre-tax income of $595 million, or an effective tax rate of 17.4%, compared to an income tax provision of $46 million on pre-tax income of $355 million, or an effective tax rate of 13.1%, for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
For the six months ended June 30, 2021, our income tax provision includes a $22 million benefit reflecting the impact of agreement on certain issues related to U.S. federal income tax audits. For the six months ended June 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 more fully described under “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Terra Amended Tax Returns,” below.
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 six months ended June 30, 2021 of 17.4%, which is based on pre-tax income of $595 million, including $95 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.3 percentage points higher, or 20.7%, if based on pre-tax
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income exclusive of the $95 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2020 of 13.1%, which is based on pre-tax income of $355 million, including $51 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 2.1 percentage points higher, or 15.2%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $51 million attributable to the noncontrolling interest. See Note 9—Income Taxes and Note 13—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest increased 86% to $95 million in the first six months of 2021 from $51 million in the first six months of 2020 due to higher earnings of CFN driven by higher average selling prices due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance as higher global energy costs drove lower global operating rates.
Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders
Net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders increased 53% to $1.83 per diluted share in the first six months of 2021 from $1.20 per diluted share in the first six months of 2020. This increase is due primarily to the increase in net earnings, driven by higher average selling prices, as described above.
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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 tables present summary operating results by business segment and the major drivers of the variance in net sales, cost of sales and gross margin:
Variance due to the following items: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Second Quarter of 2020 | Higher Average Selling Prices(1) | Volume(1) | Higher Natural Gas Costs(2) | Unrealized MTM on natural gas derivatives | Higher Manufacturing, Maintenance and Other Costs | Increase in Purchased Urea(3) | Second Quarter of 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 1,204 | $ | 437 | $ | (82) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 29 | $ | 1,588 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 870 | — | (52) | 131 | — | 105 | 31 | 1,085 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 334 | $ | 437 | $ | (30) | $ | (131) | $ | — | $ | (105) | $ | (2) | $ | 503 | ||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 27.7 | % | 31.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ammonia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 364 | $ | 121 | $ | (26) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 459 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 262 | — | (13) | 38 | — | 46 | — | 333 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 102 | $ | 121 | $ | (13) | $ | (38) | $ | — | $ | (46) | $ | — | $ | 126 | ||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 28.0 | % | 27.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Granular Urea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 329 | $ | 144 | $ | (69) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 29 | $ | 433 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 205 | — | (40) | 27 | — | 18 | 31 | 241 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 124 | $ | 144 | $ | (29) | $ | (27) | $ | — | $ | (18) | $ | (2) | $ | 192 | ||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 37.7 | % | 44.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 308 | $ | 104 | $ | 22 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 434 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 245 | — | 13 | 36 | 1 | 1 | — | 296 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 63 | $ | 104 | $ | 9 | $ | (36) | $ | (1) | $ | (1) | $ | — | $ | 138 | ||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 20.5 | % | 31.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 118 | $ | 34 | $ | (16) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 136 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 91 | — | (11) | 19 | (1) | 22 | — | 120 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 27 | $ | 34 | $ | (5) | $ | (19) | $ | 1 | $ | (22) | $ | — | $ | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 22.9 | % | 11.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 85 | $ | 34 | $ | 7 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 126 | ||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 67 | — | (1) | 11 | — | 18 | — | 95 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 18 | $ | 34 | $ | 8 | $ | (11) | $ | — | $ | (18) | $ | — | $ | 31 | ||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 21.2 | % | 24.6 | % |
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Variance due to the following items: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Six Months Ended June 30, 2020 | Higher Average Selling Prices(1) | Volume(1) | Higher Natural Gas Costs(2) | Unrealized MTM on natural gas derivatives | Higher Manufacturing, Maintenance and Other Costs | Increase in Purchased Urea(3) | Gain on Net Settlement of Natural Gas Contracts | Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 2,175 | $ | 538 | $ | (138) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 61 | $ | — | $ | 2,636 | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 1,637 | — | (98) | 179 | 6 | 168 | 64 | (112) | 1,844 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 538 | $ | 538 | $ | (40) | $ | (179) | $ | (6) | $ | (168) | $ | (3) | $ | 112 | $ | 792 | |||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 24.7 | % | 30.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ammonia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 557 | $ | 151 | $ | (43) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 665 | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 435 | — | (26) | 43 | 2 | 71 | — | (112) | 413 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 122 | $ | 151 | $ | (17) | $ | (43) | $ | (2) | $ | (71) | $ | — | $ | 112 | $ | 252 | |||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 21.9 | % | 37.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Granular Urea | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 666 | $ | 210 | $ | (105) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 61 | $ | — | $ | 832 | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 429 | — | (62) | 43 | 2 | 29 | 64 | — | 505 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 237 | $ | 210 | $ | (43) | $ | (43) | $ | (2) | $ | (29) | $ | (3) | $ | — | $ | 327 | |||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 35.6 | % | 39.3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
UAN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 543 | $ | 81 | $ | 42 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 666 | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 438 | — | 25 | 50 | 2 | 11 | — | — | 526 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 105 | $ | 81 | $ | 17 | $ | (50) | $ | (2) | $ | (11) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 140 | |||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 19.3 | % | 21.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
AN | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 234 | $ | 46 | $ | (39) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 241 | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 194 | — | (31) | 27 | — | 25 | — | — | 215 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 40 | $ | 46 | $ | (8) | $ | (27) | $ | — | $ | (25) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 26 | |||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 17.1 | % | 10.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 175 | $ | 50 | $ | 7 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 232 | |||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 141 | — | (4) | 16 | — | 32 | — | — | 185 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 34 | $ | 50 | $ | 11 | $ | (16) | $ | — | $ | (32) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 47 | |||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 19.4 | % | 20.3 | % |
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)Selling price and volume impact of granular urea purchased to satisfy customer commitments is reflected in the Increase in Purchased Urea column.
(2)Higher natural gas costs include the impact, if any, of realized natural gas derivatives.
(3)Represents the impact of the incremental tons compared to the prior year period.
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Ammonia Segment
Our ammonia segment produces anhydrous ammonia (ammonia), which is our most concentrated nitrogen product. Ammonia contains 82% nitrogen and 18% hydrogen. The results of our ammonia segment consist of sales of ammonia to external customers. In addition, ammonia is the base 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 June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 459 | $ | 364 | $ | 95 | 26 | % | $ | 665 | $ | 557 | $ | 108 | 19 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 333 | 262 | 71 | 27 | % | 413 | 435 | (22) | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 126 | $ | 102 | $ | 24 | 24 | % | $ | 252 | $ | 122 | $ | 130 | 107 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 27.5 | % | 28.0 | % | (0.5) | % | 37.9 | % | 21.9 | % | 16.0 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 1,036 | 1,118 | (82) | (7) | % | 1,719 | 1,880 | (161) | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 850 | 917 | (67) | (7) | % | 1,410 | 1,542 | (132) | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per product ton | $ | 443 | $ | 326 | $ | 117 | 36 | % | $ | 387 | $ | 296 | $ | 91 | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 540 | $ | 397 | $ | 143 | 36 | % | $ | 472 | $ | 361 | $ | 111 | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per product ton | $ | 122 | $ | 91 | $ | 31 | 34 | % | $ | 147 | $ | 65 | $ | 82 | 126 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 148 | $ | 111 | $ | 37 | 33 | % | $ | 179 | $ | 79 | $ | 100 | 127 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 61 | $ | 60 | $ | 1 | 2 | % | $ | 97 | $ | 99 | $ | (2) | (2) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | % | $ | (2) | $ | (4) | $ | 2 | 50 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)Ammonia represents 82% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Second Quarter of 2021 Compared to Second Quarter of 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our ammonia segment increased by $95 million, or 26%, to $459 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $364 million in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to a 36% increase in average selling prices, partially offset by a 7% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices increased to $443 per ton in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $326 per ton in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to the impact of a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance. Sales volume was lower due primarily to lower supply availability resulting from reduced production, due to higher plant turnaround and maintenance activity in 2021.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our ammonia segment averaged $321 per ton in the second quarter of 2021, a 37% increase from $235 per ton in the second quarter of 2020. The increase is due primarily to higher realized natural gas costs, higher costs related to plant turnaround and maintenance activity, and a higher cost for purchased ammonia from our joint venture in Trinidad.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our ammonia segment increased by $24 million to $126 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $102 million in the second quarter of 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 27.5% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to 28.0% in the second quarter of 2020. The increase in gross margin was due primarily to a 36% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $121 million. This factor was partially offset by the impact of a $46 million net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, an increase in realized natural gas costs, which reduced gross margin by $38 million, and a 7% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $13 million.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our ammonia segment increased by $108 million, or 19%, to $665 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $557 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020 due primarily to a 31% increase in average selling prices, partially offset by a 9% decrease in sales volume. The increase in average selling prices was due primarily to the impact of a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance. Sales volume was lower due primarily to lower supply
37
availability resulting from reduced production due to higher plant turnaround and maintenance activity, including the impact of Winter Storm Uri.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our ammonia segment averaged $240 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2021, a 4% increase from $231 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase is due primarily to higher realized natural gas costs, a higher cost for purchased ammonia from our joint venture in Trinidad, and higher maintenance and repair activity, partially offset by the impact of the $112 million gain on the net settlement of certain natural gas contracts with our suppliers in February 2021. See “Market Conditions and Current Developments” above, for additional information on the operational impact of Winter Storm Uri.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our ammonia segment increased by $130 million to $252 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $122 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 37.9% in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 21.9% in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in gross margin was due primarily to a 31% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $151 million, and the $112 million gain on the net settlement of certain natural gas contracts in February 2021. These factors were partially offset by a $71 million net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, an increase in realized natural gas costs, which decreased gross margin by $43 million, a 9% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $17 million, and the impact of a $2 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to a $4 million gain in the six months ended June 30, 2020.
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 June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 433 | $ | 329 | $ | 104 | 32 | % | $ | 832 | $ | 666 | $ | 166 | 25 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 241 | 205 | 36 | 18 | % | 505 | 429 | 76 | 18 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 192 | $ | 124 | $ | 68 | 55 | % | $ | 327 | $ | 237 | $ | 90 | 38 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 44.3 | % | 37.7 | % | 6.6 | % | 39.3 | % | 35.6 | % | 3.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 1,092 | 1,314 | (222) | (17) | % | 2,412 | 2,695 | (283) | (11) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 502 | 604 | (102) | (17) | % | 1,109 | 1,239 | (130) | (10) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per product ton | $ | 397 | $ | 250 | $ | 147 | 59 | % | $ | 345 | $ | 247 | $ | 98 | 40 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 863 | $ | 545 | $ | 318 | 58 | % | $ | 750 | $ | 538 | $ | 212 | 39 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per product ton | $ | 176 | $ | 94 | $ | 82 | 87 | % | $ | 136 | $ | 88 | $ | 48 | 55 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 382 | $ | 205 | $ | 177 | 86 | % | $ | 295 | $ | 191 | $ | 104 | 54 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 55 | $ | 66 | $ | (11) | (17) | % | $ | 121 | $ | 138 | $ | (17) | (12) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | % | $ | (2) | $ | (4) | $ | 2 | 50 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)Granular urea represents 46% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Second Quarter of 2021 Compared to Second Quarter of 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our granular urea segment increased $104 million, or 32%, to $433 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $329 million in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to a 59% increase in average selling prices, partially offset by a 17% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices increased to $397 per ton in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $250 per ton in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance. Sales volume was lower due primarily to lower supply availability resulting from reduced production due to the impact of maintenance and repair activity. Due to the reduced production, we purchased additional granular urea, which we sold for $36 million, to meet customer obligations.
38
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our granular urea segment averaged $221 per ton in the second quarter of 2021, a 42% increase from $156 per ton in the second quarter of 2020, due primarily to higher realized natural gas costs and higher costs related to maintenance and repair activity. In addition, we purchased $38 million of granular urea in the second quarter of 2021 to meet customer obligations.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our granular urea segment increased by $68 million to $192 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $124 million in the second quarter of 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 44.3% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to 37.7% in the second quarter of 2020. The increase in gross margin was due primarily to a 59% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $144 million. This factor was partially offset by a 17% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $29 million, the impact of an increase in realized natural gas costs, which decreased gross margin by $27 million, and an $18 million net increase in other manufacturing and distribution costs. In addition, we experienced lower production during the second quarter of 2021 and purchased 104,000 tons of granular urea to meet customer obligations, which had the impact of reducing our gross margin percentage in our granular urea segment by 4.6 percentage points.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our granular urea segment increased $166 million, or 25%, to $832 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $666 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020 due primarily to a 40% increase in average selling prices, partially offset by an 11% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices increased to $345 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $247 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2020 due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance. Sales volume was lower due primarily to lower supply availability resulting from reduced production due to the impact of Winter Storm Uri and maintenance and repair activity. Due to the reduced production, we purchased granular urea, which we sold for $68 million, to meet customer obligations.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our granular urea segment averaged $209 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2021, a 31% increase from $159 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2020, due primarily to higher realized natural gas costs and higher costs related to maintenance and repair activity due primarily to Winter Storm Uri. In addition, we purchased $71 million of granular urea to meet customer obligations.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our granular urea segment increased by $90 million to $327 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $237 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 39.3% in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 35.6% in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in gross margin was due to a 40% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $210 million. This factor was partially offset by an 11% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $43 million, higher realized natural gas costs, which decreased gross margin by $43 million, a $29 million net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, and the impact of a $2 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to a $4 million gain in the six months ended June 30, 2020. In addition, we experienced lower production during the six months ended June 30, 2021 and purchased 201,000 tons of granular urea to meet customer obligations, which had the impact of reducing our gross margin percentage in our granular urea segment by 3.9 percentage points.
39
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 June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 434 | $ | 308 | $ | 126 | 41 | % | $ | 666 | $ | 543 | $ | 123 | 23 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 296 | 245 | 51 | 21 | % | 526 | 438 | 88 | 20 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 138 | $ | 63 | $ | 75 | 119 | % | $ | 140 | $ | 105 | $ | 35 | 33 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 31.8 | % | 20.5 | % | 11.3 | % | 21.0 | % | 19.3 | % | 1.7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 1,949 | 1,840 | 109 | 6 | % | 3,463 | 3,230 | 233 | 7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 612 | 580 | 32 | 6 | % | 1,088 | 1,016 | 72 | 7 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per product ton | $ | 223 | $ | 167 | $ | 56 | 34 | % | $ | 192 | $ | 168 | $ | 24 | 14 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 709 | $ | 531 | $ | 178 | 34 | % | $ | 612 | $ | 534 | $ | 78 | 15 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per product ton | $ | 71 | $ | 34 | $ | 37 | 109 | % | $ | 40 | $ | 33 | $ | 7 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 225 | $ | 109 | $ | 116 | 106 | % | $ | 129 | $ | 103 | $ | 26 | 25 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 76 | $ | 65 | $ | 11 | 17 | % | $ | 132 | $ | 117 | $ | 15 | 13 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives | $ | — | $ | (1) | $ | 1 | 100 | % | $ | (2) | $ | (4) | $ | 2 | 50 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)UAN represents between 28% and 32% of nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Second Quarter of 2021 Compared to Second Quarter of 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our UAN segment increased $126 million, or 41%, to $434 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $308 million in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to a 34% increase in average selling prices and a 6% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices increased to $223 per ton in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $167 per ton in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance. Sales volume was higher due primarily to higher demand resulting in a drawdown of our inventory.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our UAN segment averaged $152 per ton in the second quarter of 2021, a 14% increase from $133 per ton in the second quarter of 2020, due primarily to the impact of higher realized natural gas costs and higher costs related to maintenance and repair activity.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our UAN segment increased by $75 million to $138 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $63 million in the second quarter of 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 31.8% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to 20.5% in the second quarter of 2020. The increase in gross margin was due to a 34% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $104 million, and a 6% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $9 million. These factors were partially offset by higher realized natural gas costs, which decreased gross margin by $36 million, a $1 million net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, and the impact of a $1 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the second quarter of 2020.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our UAN segment increased $123 million, or 23%, to $666 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $543 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020 due primarily to a 14% increase in average selling prices and a 7% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices increased to $192 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $168 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2020, due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance. The increase in sales volume was due to higher demand resulting in a drawdown of our inventory.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our UAN segment averaged $152 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2021, a 13% increase from $135 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase was due primarily to the impact of higher realized natural gas costs and higher costs related to maintenance and repair activity.
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Gross Margin. Gross margin in our UAN segment increased by $35 million to $140 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $105 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 21.0% in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 19.3% in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in gross margin was due to a 14% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $81 million, and a 7% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $17 million. These factors were partially offset by higher realized natural gas costs, which decreased gross margin by $50 million, an $11 million net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, and the impact of a $2 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to a $4 million gain in the six months ended June 30, 2020.
Antidumping and Countervailing Duty Investigations
On June 30, 2021, we filed petitions with the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) requesting the initiation of antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on imports of UAN from Russia and Trinidad. We requested the investigations due to the harm we believe the domestic UAN industry has experienced from dumped and unfairly subsidized imports from these two countries. The ITC instituted preliminary phase injury investigations on July 1, 2021 and Commerce initiated antidumping and countervailing duty investigations on July 20, 2021. The ITC is scheduled to take a preliminary vote on August 13, 2021 on whether there is a reasonable indication that the U.S. UAN industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of imports of UAN from Russia and Trinidad. If the ITC preliminary determination is negative, the ITC and Commerce investigations will be terminated and no antidumping or countervailing duties will be imposed on imports of UAN from Russia or Trinidad. If the ITC preliminary determination is affirmative, Commerce will proceed with its preliminary and final determinations on whether and to what extent these imports are dumped and unfairly subsidized. If any of Commerce’s final determinations are affirmative, the ITC will make a final determination as to whether the unfairly traded imports materially injure or threaten material injury to the domestic UAN industry. If the ITC makes affirmative final determinations, then Commerce can impose duties equal to the level of dumping and unfair subsidies it has found. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of the proceedings, including whether antidumping or countervailing duties will be imposed on imports from either country, or the rate of any such duties.
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 June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 136 | $ | 118 | $ | 18 | 15 | % | $ | 241 | $ | 234 | $ | 7 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 120 | 91 | 29 | 32 | % | 215 | 194 | 21 | 11 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 16 | $ | 27 | $ | (11) | (41) | % | $ | 26 | $ | 40 | $ | (14) | (35) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 11.8 | % | 22.9 | % | (11.1) | % | 10.8 | % | 17.1 | % | (6.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 501 | 576 | (75) | (13) | % | 939 | 1,123 | (184) | (16) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 171 | 195 | (24) | (12) | % | 318 | 379 | (61) | (16) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per product ton | $ | 271 | $ | 205 | $ | 66 | 32 | % | $ | 257 | $ | 208 | $ | 49 | 24 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 795 | $ | 605 | $ | 190 | 31 | % | $ | 758 | $ | 617 | $ | 141 | 23 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per product ton | $ | 32 | $ | 47 | $ | (15) | (32) | % | $ | 28 | $ | 36 | $ | (8) | (22) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 94 | $ | 138 | $ | (44) | (32) | % | $ | 82 | $ | 106 | $ | (24) | (23) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 22 | $ | 25 | $ | (3) | (12) | % | $ | 41 | $ | 51 | $ | (10) | (20) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives | $ | — | $ | 1 | $ | (1) | (100) | % | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)AN represents between 29% and 35% of nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
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Second Quarter of 2021 Compared to Second Quarter of 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our AN segment increased $18 million, or 15%, to $136 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $118 million in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to a 32% increase in average selling prices, partially offset by a 13% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices increased to $271 per ton in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $205 per ton in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance. Sales volume declined due primarily to lower supply availability resulting from reduced production, due to plant turnaround activity.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our AN segment averaged $239 per ton in the second quarter of 2021, a 51% increase from $158 per ton in the second quarter of 2020. The increase was due primarily to higher realized natural gas costs and higher costs related to plant turnaround activity. Natural gas costs increased in both the United States and the United Kingdom in 2021 due to increased energy demand as both economies emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, as measured by the average daily market price of natural gas at the NBP, the major natural gas trading point for the United Kingdom, natural gas prices increased to $8.90 per MMBtu in the second quarter of 2021 from $1.60 per MMBtu in the second quarter of 2020.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our AN segment decreased $11 million, or 41%, to $16 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $27 million in the second quarter of 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 11.8% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to 22.9% in the second quarter of 2020. The decrease in gross margin was due to a net increase of $22 million in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, an increase in realized natural gas costs, which decreased gross margin by $19 million, and a 13% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $5 million. These factors were partially offset by a 32% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $34 million, and the impact of a $1 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives in the second quarter of 2020.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our AN segment increased $7 million, or 3%, to $241 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $234 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020 due primarily to a 24% increase in average selling prices, partially offset by a 16% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices increased to $257 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to $208 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2020 due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance. The decrease in sales volume was due to lower supply availability as a result of reduced production.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our AN segment averaged $229 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2021, a 33% increase from $172 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase was due primarily to higher realized natural gas costs and higher costs related to plant maintenance activity.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our AN segment decreased by $14 million, or 35%, to $26 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $40 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 10.8% in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 17.1% in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The decrease in gross margin was due to an increase in realized natural gas costs, which decreased gross margin by $27 million, a net increase of $25 million in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, and a 16% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $8 million. These factors were partially offset by a 24% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $46 million.
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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 mineral acid that is used in the production of nitrate-based fertilizers, nylon precursors and other specialty chemicals.
•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 June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | 2021 | 2020 | 2021 v. 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 126 | $ | 85 | $ | 41 | 48 | % | $ | 232 | $ | 175 | $ | 57 | 33 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Cost of sales | 95 | 67 | 28 | 42 | % | 185 | 141 | 44 | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin | $ | 31 | $ | 18 | $ | 13 | 72 | % | $ | 47 | $ | 34 | $ | 13 | 38 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin percentage | 24.6 | % | 21.2 | % | 3.4 | % | 20.3 | % | 19.4 | % | 0.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 596 | 538 | 58 | 11 | % | 1,205 | 1,146 | 59 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 119 | 108 | 11 | 10 | % | 241 | 228 | 13 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per product ton | $ | 211 | $ | 158 | $ | 53 | 34 | % | $ | 193 | $ | 153 | $ | 40 | 26 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 1,059 | $ | 787 | $ | 272 | 35 | % | $ | 963 | $ | 768 | $ | 195 | 25 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per product ton | $ | 52 | $ | 33 | $ | 19 | 58 | % | $ | 39 | $ | 30 | $ | 9 | 30 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 261 | $ | 167 | $ | 94 | 56 | % | $ | 195 | $ | 149 | $ | 46 | 31 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | $ | 23 | $ | 17 | $ | 6 | 35 | % | $ | 45 | $ | 34 | $ | 11 | 32 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Unrealized net mark-to-market (gain) loss on natural gas derivatives | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | % | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Second Quarter of 2021 Compared to Second Quarter of 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our Other segment increased by $41 million, or 48%, to $126 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $85 million in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to a 34% increase in average selling prices and an 11% increase in sales volume. The increase in average selling prices was due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen supply and demand balance. The increase in sales volume was due primarily to higher DEF and nitric acid sales volumes, partially offset by lower NPK sales volume.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Other segment averaged $159 per ton in the second quarter of 2021, a 27% increase from $125 per ton in the second quarter of 2020, due primarily to higher realized natural gas costs and higher costs related to plant maintenance activity.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Other segment increased by $13 million, or 72%, to $31 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $18 million in the second quarter of 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 24.6% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to 21.2% in the second quarter of 2020. The increase in gross margin was due to a 34% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $34 million, and an 11% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $8 million. These factors were partially offset by an $18 million net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, and an increase in realized natural gas costs, which decreased gross margin by $11 million.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2020
Net Sales. Net sales in our Other segment increased by $57 million, or 33%, to $232 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $175 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020 due primarily to a 26% increase in average selling prices and a 5% increase in sales volume. The increase in average selling prices was due primarily to a tighter global nitrogen
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supply and demand balance. The increase in sales volume was due primarily to higher DEF and nitric acid sales volumes, partially offset by lower NPK volume.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Other segment averaged $154 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2021, a 25% increase from $123 per ton in the six months ended June 30, 2020 due primarily to higher costs related to plant maintenance activity and higher realized natural gas costs.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Other segment increased by $13 million, or 38%, to $47 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021 from $34 million in the six months ended June 30, 2020, and our gross margin percentage was 20.3% in the six months ended June 30, 2021 compared to 19.4% in the six months ended June 30, 2020. The increase in gross margin was due to a 26% increase in average selling prices, which increased gross margin by $50 million, and a 5% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $11 million. These factors were partially offset by a $32 million net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs and an increase in realized natural gas costs, which decreased gross margin by $16 million.
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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.
On March 20, 2021, we redeemed in full all of the remaining $250 million outstanding principal amount of the 2021 Notes, in accordance with the optional redemption provisions in the indenture governing the 2021 Notes. The total aggregate redemption price paid on the 2021 Notes in connection with the redemption was $258 million, including accrued interest. As a result, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily consisting of a premium paid on the early redemption of the notes.
On August 9, 2021, we announced that our wholly owned subsidiary CF Industries has elected to redeem on September 10, 2021, $250 million principal amount, representing one-third of the currently outstanding $750 million principal amount, of the 3.450% senior notes due 2023 (the 2023 Notes), in accordance with the optional redemption provisions provided in the indenture governing the 2023 Notes. See discussion under “Debt,” below, for further information.
As of June 30, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents balance was $777 million, an increase of $94 million from $683 million at December 31, 2020. At June 30, 2021, 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.
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 $181 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $119 million in the first six months of 2020.
We currently anticipate that capital expenditures for the full year of 2021 will be in the range of $500 million, which includes expenditures for our green ammonia project at our Donaldsonville manufacturing complex and reflects higher capital spending due to maintenance deferred from 2020 as well as activity that was previously planned to occur in 2022. 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.
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Debt
Revolving Credit Agreement
We have a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the Revolving Credit Agreement), which 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 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 June 30, 2021, 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 June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020, or during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Maximum borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $500 million. The weighted-average annual interest rate of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was 2.05%. Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2020 were repaid in full in April 2020.
The Revolving Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants. As of June 30, 2021, we were in compliance with all covenants under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Letters of Credit
In addition to the letters of credit that may be issued under the Revolving Credit Agreement, as described above, we have also entered into a bilateral agreement with capacity to issue up to $250 million of letters of credit. As of June 30, 2021, approximately $222 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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 consisted of the following debt securities issued by CF Industries:
Effective Interest Rate | June 30, 2021 | December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Principal | Carrying Amount(1) | Principal | Carrying Amount(1) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Public Senior Notes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
3.450% due June 2023 | 3.562% | $ | 750 | $ | 748 | $ | 750 | $ | 748 | ||||||||||||||||||||
5.150% due March 2034 | 5.279% | 750 | 741 | 750 | 741 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
4.500% due December 2026 | 4.759% | 750 | 741 | 750 | 740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt | $ | 3,750 | $ | 3,713 | $ | 4,000 | $ | 3,961 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Less: Current maturities of long-term debt | — | — | 250 | 249 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Long-term debt, net of current maturities | $ | 3,750 | $ | 3,713 | $ | 3,750 | $ | 3,712 |
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)Carrying amount is net of unamortized debt discount and deferred debt issuance costs. Total unamortized debt discount was $9 million as of both June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and total deferred debt issuance costs were $28 million and $30 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.
Public Senior 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.
On August 9, 2021, we announced that CF Industries has elected to redeem on September 10, 2021, $250 million principal amount, representing one-third of the currently outstanding $750 million principal amount, of the 2023 Notes, in accordance with the optional redemption provisions provided in the indenture governing the 2023 Notes. We estimate, based on market interest rates on August 2, 2021, the total amount for the partial redemption of the 2023 Notes will be approximately $265 million, including accrued interest. The partial redemption of the 2023 Notes will be funded with cash on hand. See Note 11—Financing Agreements for additional information.
Senior Secured Notes
On March 20, 2021, we redeemed in full all of the remaining $250 million outstanding principal amount of the 2021 Notes in accordance with the optional redemption provisions in the indenture governing the 2021 Notes. The total aggregate redemption price paid on the 2021 Notes in connection with the redemption was $258 million, including accrued interest. As a result, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2021, primarily consisting of a premium paid on the early redemption of the notes.
Under the terms of the indenture governing the 4.500% senior secured notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes), the 2026 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 2026 Notes currently consist of CFE, CFS, CF USA and CFIDF.
Subject to certain exceptions, the obligations under the 2026 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 2026 Notes. The liens on the Collateral securing the obligations under the 2026 Notes and the related
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guarantees will be automatically released and the covenant under the 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 indenture.
Interest on the 2026 Notes is payable semiannually, and the 2026 Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at specified make-whole redemption prices.
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. Since the 2019 Share Repurchase Program was announced in February 2019, we have repurchased approximately 10.2 million shares for $437 million, including 2.6 million shares repurchased during the first quarter of 2020 for $100 million. No shares have been repurchased since the first quarter of 2020 under the 2019 Share Repurchase Program.
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 June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had $9 million and $130 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, our customers’ outlook of future market fundamentals and seasonality. 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, borrowing under the Revolving Credit Agreement could become necessary. Due to the volatility inherent in our business and changing customer expectations, we cannot estimate the amount of future forward sales activity.
Under our forward sales programs, a customer may delay delivery of an order due to weather conditions or other factors. These delays generally subject the customer to potential charges for storage or may be grounds for termination of the contract by us. Such a delay in scheduled shipment or termination of a forward sales contract due to a customer’s inability or unwillingness to perform may negatively impact our reported sales.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in prices for natural gas that will be purchased in the future. Natural gas is the largest and most volatile component of our manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based products. 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 June 30, 2021, our open natural gas derivative contracts consisted of natural gas basis swaps for 6.8 million MMBtus. As of December 31, 2020, our open natural gas derivative contracts consisted of natural gas fixed price swaps and basis swaps for 34.1 million MMBtus.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
We contributed $14 million to our pension plans during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Over the remainder of 2021, we expect to contribute an additional $26 million to our pension plans, or a total of approximately $40 million for the full year 2021.
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Distribution to Noncontrolling Interest in CFN
On July 30, 2021, the CFN Board of Managers approved semi-annual distribution payments for the distribution period ended June 30, 2021 in accordance with CFN’s limited liability company agreement. On July 30, 2021, CFN distributed $130 million to CHS for the distribution period ended June 30, 2021.
Cash Flows
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities during the first six months of 2021 was $706 million, a decrease of $12 million compared to $718 million in the first six months of 2020. The decrease in cash flow from operations was due primarily to unfavorable changes in net working capital, partially offset by higher net earnings. During the first six months of 2021, net changes in working capital reduced cash flow from operations by $182 million, while in the first six months of 2020 net changes in working capital contributed $77 million to cash flow from operations. The decreased cash flow from working capital changes was primarily driven by accounts receivable and customer advances. The increase in net earnings was due primarily to higher average selling prices and the $112 million gain on the net settlement of certain natural gas contracts with our suppliers in February 2021, partially offset by higher costs related to manufacturing, maintenance and repair activity.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities was $182 million in the first six months of 2021 as compared to $117 million in the first six months of 2020. During the first six months of 2021, capital expenditures totaled $181 million compared to $119 million in the first six months of 2020.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities was $433 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $323 million in the first six months of 2020. In the first six months of 2021, no shares of common stock were repurchased compared to $100 million in the first six months of 2020. Dividends paid on common stock was $130 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $129 million in the first six months of 2020. Distributions to noncontrolling interest totaled $64 million in the first six months of 2021 as compared to $88 million in the first six months of 2020.
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 2013, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) commenced an examination of the U.S. tax aspects of the Amended Tax Returns.
In the second quarter of 2020, we received IRS notices indicating the amount of tax and interest to be refunded and received with respect to the income tax and withholding tax returns. As a result of these events, we recognized $16 million of interest income ($13 million, net of tax) and $19 million of additional income tax benefit. In addition, in the second quarter of 2020, we received U.S. Federal income tax refunds, including interest, of $108 million relating to these matters. In July 2020, we received an additional $2 million, which finalized these matters with the IRS.
In 2017, we made a Voluntary Disclosures Program filing with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) with respect to the Canadian tax aspects of this matter and paid additional Canadian taxes due. In late 2020, the CRA settled with us the voluntary disclosure matter, and, in the first quarter of 2021, we received approximately $20 million of withholding tax refunds, including interest, from the CRA. These amounts were previously recorded in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
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. We filed notices of objection with respect to these reassessments with the CRA and posted letters of credit, which serve as security until the matter is resolved. In 2018, the matter was accepted for consideration under the bilateral settlement provisions of the US-Canada Tax Treaty (the Treaty) by the United States and Canadian competent authorities. In the second quarter of 2021, the Company entered the matter into a binding arbitration process under the terms of the Treaty. The arbitration decision will be issued no later than the first quarter of 2022.
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If we accept the arbitration decision, the associated letters of credit would be cancelled and we may owe additional tax and interest to one taxing jurisdiction, which would likely be due in the second quarter of 2022. Simultaneously, pursuant to the arbitration determination, the Company would file amended tax returns for the relevant tax years with the second taxing jurisdiction to recover taxes overpaid and would receive interest on the overpayment. The payment of tax and interest, and the subsequent receipt of tax and interest refunds, each of which could be material, will likely occur in different reporting periods. Due to uncertainty about the ultimate outcome of this matter, we are not able to predict the amount of tax and interest that we may ultimately pay to, or subsequently receive from, the taxing authorities.
Regulation of Greenhouse Gases
Our U.K manufacturing plants are subject to greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations in the United Kingdom. After the United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union, the U.K. government instituted new GHG regulations in 2021, including establishing the U.K. Emission Trading Scheme (UK ETS). The UK ETS replaces the European Union Emissions Trading System for U.K. companies. In conjunction with these changes, the U.K. GHG regulations established a lower emission cap than applied to us under the European GHG regulations. Under the new U.K. requirements, we are required to obtain and surrender emission allowances equivalent to our annual greenhouse gas emissions, although we anticipate that we will be allocated a certain number of free allowances. Our remaining European Union emissions credits are not applicable in the United Kingdom, and separate U.K. emissions credits will need to be procured to offset emissions that are in excess of the number of free allowances allocated to us. We have recognized the estimated cost to procure the necessary U.K. credits based on our understanding of the program requirements and using market observable transactions. Given the recent development of the U.K. emissions trading market and the limited number of participants, changes in the price of credits could occur as the market is subject to change based on market participants and liquidity. It is unclear if the UK ETS will be linked with other emission trading programs from other countries. The U.K. government can also change the emission cap or allowances of the GHG regulations, which could also impact the cost of compliance with this program.
Critical Accounting Estimates
There were no changes to our significant accounting estimates during the first six months of 2021.
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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, 2020, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2021. Such factors include, among others:
•the cyclical nature of our business and the impact of global supply and demand on our selling prices;
•the global commodity nature of our nitrogen products, the conditions in the international market for nitrogen products, and the intense global competition from other producers;
•conditions in the United States, Europe and other agricultural areas;
•the volatility of natural gas prices in North America and Europe;
•weather conditions;
•the seasonality of the fertilizer business;
•the impact of changing market conditions on our forward sales programs;
•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;
•risks associated with cyber security;
•our reliance on a limited number of key facilities;
•acts of terrorism and regulations to combat terrorism;
•risks associated with international operations;
•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 changes in tax laws and disagreements with taxing authorities;
•risks involving derivatives and the effectiveness of our risk measurement and hedging activities;
•potential liabilities and expenditures related to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and permitting requirements;
•regulatory restrictions and requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions;
•the development and growth of the market for green and blue (low-carbon) ammonia and the risks and uncertainties relating to the development and implementation of our green and blue (low-carbon) ammonia projects;
•risks associated with expansions of our business, including unanticipated adverse consequences and the significant resources that could be required;
•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; and
•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.
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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 products are sensitive to changes in selling 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, $22, $14 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 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 represents 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 June 30, 2021, we had natural gas derivative contracts covering certain periods through March 2022.
As of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had open derivative contracts for 6.8 million MMBtus and 34.1 million MMBtus, respectively. A $1.00 per MMBtu increase in the forward curve prices of natural gas at June 30, 2021 would result in a favorable change in the fair value of these derivative positions of approximately $7 million, and a $1.00 per MMBtu decrease in the forward curve prices of natural gas would change their fair value unfavorably by approximately $7 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 June 30, 2021, we had five series of senior notes totaling $3.75 billion of principal outstanding with maturity dates of 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 June 30, 2021, the carrying value and fair value of our senior notes was approximately $3.71 billion and $4.37 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 June 30, 2021, or December 31, 2020, or during the six months ended June 30, 2021. Maximum borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2020 were $500 million. The weighted-average annual interest rate of borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2020 was 2.05%.
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 June 30, 2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
West Fertilizer Co.
On April 17, 2013, there was a fire and explosion at the West Fertilizer Co. fertilizer storage and distribution facility in West, Texas. According to published reports, 15 people were killed and approximately 200 people were injured in the incident, and the fire and explosion damaged or destroyed a number of homes and buildings around the facility. Various subsidiaries of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (the CF Entities) 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. Nearly all of the cases, including all wrongful death and personal injury claims, have been resolved pursuant to confidential settlements that have been or we expect will be fully funded by insurance. The remaining subrogation and statutory indemnification claims total approximately $37 million, before prejudgment interest, and are in various stages of discovery and pre-trial proceedings. The remaining claims are expected to be set for trial in 2022. We believe we have strong legal and factual defenses and intend to continue defending the CF Entities vigorously in the remaining 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, we expect any potential loss to be fully indemnified by insurance and do not believe that this litigation will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
The following table sets forth share repurchases, on a trade date basis, for each of the three months of the quarter ended June 30, 2021.
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) | |||||||||||||||||||
April 1, 2021 - April 30, 2021 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 563,407 | |||||||||||||||||
May 1, 2021 - May 31, 2021 | 6,875 | 54.65 | — | 563,407 | |||||||||||||||||||
June 1, 2021 - June 30, 2021 | 5,284 | 51.42 | — | 563,407 | |||||||||||||||||||
Total | 12,159 | $ | 53.25 | — |
_______________________________________________________________________________
(1)Represents shares withheld to pay employee tax obligations upon the lapse of restrictions on restricted stock units and performance restricted stock units and upon the exercise of nonqualified stock options, and shares withheld to cover the price of the shares upon 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 55 of this report. |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | Description | ||||
101 | The following financial information from CF Industries Holdings, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, 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 the Exhibit 101 Inline XBRL Document Set) |
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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: August 9, 2021 | By: | /s/ W. ANTHONY WILL | |||||||||
W. Anthony Will President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | |||||||||||
Date: August 9, 2021 | By: | /s/ CHRISTOPHER D. BOHN | |||||||||
Christopher D. Bohn Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
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