Nutrien Ltd. has announced its second quarter 2024 results, with net earnings of US$392 million (US$0.78 diluted net earnings per share). Second quarter 2024 adjusted EBITDA was US$2.2 billion and adjusted net earnings per share was US$2.34.
“Nutrien benefitted from improved retail margins, higher fertilizer sales volumes and lower operating costs in the first half of 2024. Crop input demand remains strong and we raised our full-year outlook for global potash demand due to healthy engagement in all key markets,” commented Ken Seitz, Nutrien’s President and CEO.
“Our upstream production assets and downstream retail businesses in North America and Australia have performed well in 2024. In Brazil, we continue to see challenges and are accelerating a margin improvement plan that is focused on further reducing operating costs and rationalising our footprint to optimise cash flow,” added Mr. Seitz.
Highlights:
• Generated net earnings of US$557 million and adjusted EBITDA of US$3.3 billion in the first half of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA was down from the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower fertilizer net selling prices. This was partially offset by increased Nutrien Ag Solutions (retail) earnings, higher potash sales volumes, and lower natural gas costs.
• Retail adjusted EBITDA increased to US$1.2 billion in the first half of 2024 supported by strong grower demand and a normalisation of product margins in North America. Full-year 2024 retail adjusted EBITDA guidance lowered due primarily to ongoing market instability in Brazil as well as the impact of delayed planting in North America in the second quarter.
• Potash adjusted EBITDA declined to US$1.0 billion in the first half of 2024 due to lower net selling prices, which more than offset higher sales volumes and lower operating costs. Full-year 2024 potash sales volume guidance raised due to record first-half sales volumes and the expectation for strong global demand in the second half of 2024.
• Nitrogen adjusted EBITDA decreased to US$1.1 billion in the first half of 2024 due to lower net selling prices, which more than offset lower natural gas costs. Ammonia production increased in the first half, driven by improved reliability and less turnaround activity.
• Accelerating a margin improvement plan in Brazil, including the curtailment of three fertilizer blenders and closure of 21 selling locations in the second quarter of 2024. Recognized a $335 million non-cash impairment of our Retail – Brazil assets due to ongoing market instability and more moderate margin expectations. Incurred a loss on foreign currency derivatives of approximately US$220 million in Brazil.
• The company previously announced that it is no longer pursuing its Geismar Clean Ammonia project and recognised a US$195 million noncash impairment of assets related to this project.
Chief financial officer transition
Nutrien has also announced the appointment of Mark Thompson as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective 26 August 2024. In alignment with Nutrien's succession plan, Mr. Thompson succeeds Pedro Farah, who will remain with Nutrien in an advisory capacity until his departure on 31 December 2024.
“Mark’s impressive track record of execution, along with his proven financial and strategic acumen provides the unique ability to succeed in this position on day one. He brings in-depth knowledge of our business that will support the advancement of our strategic actions to enhance quality of earnings and cash flow,” said Mr. Seitz.
“On behalf of the Nutrien team, I would also like to thank Pedro for his service and commitment to Nutrien over the last five years.”
“I’ve had the privilege to serve in leadership roles across the company and firmly believe in the opportunities afforded by Nutrien’s strong competitive advantages and world-class asset base to deliver long-term shareholder value,” said Mr. Thompson.
“I look forward to continuing to partner with Ken and our executive leadership team on the disciplined execution of our strategy and drive a focused approach to capital allocation.”
Mr. Thompson has been with the company since 2011, currently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. Prior to his current position he held numerous executive and senior leadership roles across the company, including Chief Strategy & Sustainability Officer, Chief Corporate Development & Strategy Officer, and Vice President of Business Development for Nutrien’s Retail business. He earned his Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and Bachelor of Arts degrees from the University of Saskatchewan and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.