Join today and have your say! It’s FREE!

Become a member today, It's free!

We will not release or resell your information to third parties without your permission.
Please Try Again
{{ error }}
By providing my email, I consent to receiving investment related electronic messages from Stockhouse.

or

Sign In

Please Try Again
{{ error }}
Password Hint : {{passwordHint}}
Forgot Password?

or

Please Try Again {{ error }}

Send my password

SUCCESS
An email was sent with password retrieval instructions. Please go to the link in the email message to retrieve your password.

Become a member today, It's free!

We will not release or resell your information to third parties without your permission.

ADM Reports Strong Adjusted Fourth Quarter 2013 Earnings of $0.95 per Share

ADM

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) today reported financial results for the quarter ended Dec. 31, 2013. The company reported adjusted earnings per share1 of $0.95, up 58 percent from the $0.60 in the same period last year. Net earnings for the quarter, which were negatively impacted by charges related to GrainCorp and to ADM’s Brazilian sugar mill, were $374 million, or $0.56 per share, down from $0.77 per share in the same period one year earlier. Excluding specified items, segment operating profit1 was $1.0 billion, up 33 percent.

“The team delivered a strong finish to the year,” said ADM Chairman and CEO Patricia Woertz. “Lower corn costs and improved ethanol margins helped support a significant improvement in our Corn business. Our great Oilseeds performance was driven by our ability to meet robust global demand for meal and by improved biodiesel results in North America and Europe. However, our Ag Services business was impacted by the slow farmer-selling of corn and challenges in international merchandising.

“Looking back on the year, the team made meaningful progress in our efforts to improve cost, cash and capital management. We’re ahead of schedule in our cost savings efforts. We completed a two-year program to unlock cash from our balance sheet. We carefully managed capital spending, and announced a balanced capital plan for 2014.

“Looking ahead, we continue to see strong global demand for our products and large crop supplies. We expect continued good utilization of our North American network until South America’s large harvest reaches global markets.”

Fourth Quarter 2013 Highlights

  • Adjusted EPS1 of $0.95 per share excludes $0.25 per share in specified GrainCorp-related items, impairment charges of $0.11 per share, and other items totaling $0.03 per share.
  • Oilseeds Processing performed well, with profits increasing $67 million, including strong biodiesel results.
  • Corn Processing continued to improve. Excluding specified items, profit increased $296 million as lower corn costs and good domestic and export demand improved ethanol margins.
  • Agricultural Services profit (excluding GrainCorp-related specified items) declined $54 million. Operating results were diminished by lower U.S. merchandising profits and poor international merchandising results.
  • During the quarter, ADM announced a 26 percent increase in common-stock dividends, and the intent to repurchase 18 million shares by the end of 2014.
  • During the year, ADM carefully managed capital expenditures, investing $957 million.

Oilseeds Earnings Strong on Very Good Refining, Packaging, Biodiesel and Other Performance

Oilseeds operating profit in the fourth quarter was $478 million, up $67 million from the same period one year earlier.

Crushing and origination operating profit was $252 million, comparable to last year’s strong quarter. ADM’s North America soybean crushing operations had strong margins as they processed record volumes amid solid domestic and export demand. South American earnings improved on strong crushing and origination results and solid contributions from ADM’s crushing facility in Paraguay.

Refining, packaging, biodiesel and other generated a profit of $168 million for the quarter, up

$118 million on strong performance across the food-ingredient businesses and improved biodiesel results in North America and Europe.

Cocoa and other results declined as the peanut business delivered lower earnings than the very strong performance in the year-ago quarter. In addition, the cocoa business saw negative mark to market timing effects increase by $15 million from the year-ago period. However, the underlying cocoa business has improved.

Oilseeds results in Asia for the quarter were up $4 million from the same period last year, principally reflecting ADM’s share of the improved results from Wilmar International Limited.

Corn Processing Results Up Significantly, Supported by Improved Market Conditions

Corn processing operating profit of $315 million represented an increase of $296 million from the same period one year earlier. These numbers exclude specified items, including an impairment related to the Brazilian sugar mill. Corn hedge timing effects were a positive impact of $25 million, versus a negative impact of $16 million in the year-ago period.

Sweeteners and starches results rose $68 million to $181 million, as net corn costs improved dramatically and overall demand remained seasonally solid.

Bioproducts results increased $228 million to $134 million, with strong domestic and international demand for ethanol driving significantly improved margins.

Agricultural Services Impacted by Slow Farmer-Selling and Poor International Merchandising Results

Agricultural Services operating profit in the fourth quarter was $201 million, down $54 million from the same period one year earlier. These numbers exclude specified items, mostly related to GrainCorp.

Merchandising and handling earnings declined $45 million to $84 million on poor international merchandising results and lower U.S. merchandising profits from slower farmer-selling of corn and from fewer wheat merchandising opportunities. International merchandising results were reduced by merchandising and execution issues.

Transportation results were flat at $47 million. Milling and other results remained solid as the milling business continued to perform well.

Other Items of Note

The effective tax rate for the calendar year was 33 percent, compared to 30 percent in the prior year. This year’s rate was negatively impacted by valuation allowances on deferred tax assets and a shift in the geographic mix of earnings, offset partially by some favorable income tax adjustments related to U.S. biodiesel tax credits. Excluding these factors, the effective tax rate for the calendar year was 30 percent. For 2014, the company is planning its effective tax rate at around 30 percent.

Conference Call Information

ADM will host a conference call and audio webcast Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014, at 8 a.m. Central Time to discuss financial results and provide a company update. A financial summary slide presentation will be available to download approximately 60 minutes prior to the call.

To listen to the call via the Internet or to download the slide presentation, go to www.adm.com/webcast. To listen by telephone, dial (888) 522-5398 in the U.S. or (706) 902-2121 if calling from outside the U.S. The access code is 31967076.

Replay of the call will be available from Feb. 5, 2014, to Feb. 11, 2014. To listen to the replay by telephone, dial (855) 859-2056 in the U.S. or (404) 537-3406 if calling from outside the U.S. The access code is 31967076. The replay will also be available online for an extended period of time at www.adm.com/webcast.

About ADM

For more than a century, the people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) have transformed crops into products that serve vital needs. Today, 31,000 ADM employees around the globe convert oilseeds, corn, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, industrial and energy uses. With more than 270 processing plants, 470 crop procurement facilities, and the world’s premier crop transportation network, ADM helps connect the harvest to the home in more than 140 countries. For more information about ADM and its products, visit www.adm.com.

1 Non-GAAP financial measures, see pages 4 and 9 for explanations and reconciliations

Financial Tables Follow

 
Segment Operating Profit and Corporate Results
A non-GAAP financial measure

(unaudited)

 
    Quarter ended       Year ended  
December 31     December 31    
(In millions)     2013   2012   Change     2013   2012   Change
Oilseeds Processing Operating Profit    
Crushing and origination $ 252 $ 261 ($9 ) $ 835 $ 931 ($96 )
Refining, packaging, biodiesel, and other 168 50 118 454 241 213
Cocoa and other (10 ) 36 (46 ) (33 ) 276 (309 )
Asia   68     64     4     217     172     45  
Total Oilseeds Processing $ 478   $ 411   $ 67   $ 1,473   $ 1,620     ($147 )
Corn Processing Operating Profit
Sweeteners and starches (excluding timing effects) $ 181 $ 113 $ 68 $ 520 $ 430 $ 90
Bioproducts (excluding timing effects and charges) 134 (94 ) 228 380 (133 ) 513
Corn hedge timing effects* 25 (16 ) 41 (15 ) (9 ) (6 )
Asset impairment charges* (61 ) 0 (61 ) (71 ) 0 (71 )
Restructuring and exit costs*   0     0     0     0     (10 )   10  
Total Corn Processing $ 279   $ 3   $ 276   $ 814   $ 278   $ 536  
Agricultural Services Operating Profit
Merchandising and handling (excluding charges) $ 84 $ 129 ($45 ) $ 188 $ 415 ($227 )
GrainCorp specified items* (155 ) 62 (217 ) (155 ) 62 (217 )
Milling and other (excluding charge) 70 78 (8 ) 270 337 (67 )
Asset impairment charge* 0 0 0 0 (146 ) 146
Transportation   47     48     (1 )   77     111     (34 )
Total Agricultural Services $ 46   $ 317     ($271 ) $ 380   $ 779     ($399 )
Other Operating Profit
Financial $ 22   $ 77     ($55 ) $ 41   $ 91     ($50 )
Total Other $ 22   $ 77     ($55 ) $ 41   $ 91     ($50 )
 
Segment Operating Profit $ 825 $ 808 $ 17 $ 2,708 $ 2,768 ($60 )
Memo: Adjusted Segment Operating Profit* $ 1,016 $ 762 $ 254 $ 2,949 $ 2,871 $ 78
Corporate Results
LIFO credit (charge) $ 0 $ 113 ($113 ) $ 225 $ 3 $ 222
Interest expense - net (94 ) (112 ) 18 (408 ) (445 ) 37
Unallocated corporate costs (92 ) (70 ) (22 ) (331 ) (274 ) (57 )
Other charges (57 ) (73 ) 16 (147 ) (144 ) (3 )
Minority interest and other   41     36     5     (23 )   73     (96 )
Total Corporate   ($202 )   ($106 )   ($96 )   ($684 )   ($787 ) $ 103  
Earnings Before Income Taxes $ 623   $ 702     ($79 ) $ 2,024   $ 1,981   $ 43  
 

*Adjusted segment operating equals segment operating profit adjusted for specified items.

Total segment operating profit is ADM’s consolidated income from operations before income tax that excludes certain corporate items. Management believes that segment operating profit is a useful measure of ADM’s performance because it provides investors information about ADM’s business unit performance excluding certain corporate overhead costs. Total segment operating profit is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not intended to replace earnings before income tax, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Total segment operating profit is not a measure of consolidated operating results under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to income before income taxes or any other measure of consolidated operating results under U.S. GAAP.

 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(unaudited)

 
    Quarter ended     Year ended
December 31 December 30
2013   2012 2013   2012
(in millions, except per share amounts)
   
Net sales and other operating income $ 24,143 $ 24,921 $ 89,804 $ 90,559
Cost of products sold   22,973     23,925     85,915     86,936  
Gross profit 1,170 996 3,889 3,623
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 442 479 1,759 1,665
Asset impairment charges and exit costs 236 0 259 231
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates (149 ) (142 ) (411 ) (476 )
Interest income (34 ) (29 ) (102 ) (109 )
Interest expense 95 107 413 445
Other (income) expense - net   (43 )   (121 )   (53 )   (114 )
Earnings before income taxes 623 702 2,024 1,981
Income taxes   (246 )   (192 )   (670 )   (589 )
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 377 510 1,354 1,392

Less: Net earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests

  3     0     12     17  
Net earnings attributable to ADM $ 374   $ 510   $ 1,342   $ 1,375  
 
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.56 $ 0.77 $ 2.02 $ 2.08
 
Average number of shares outstanding 663 661 663 662
 
 

Other (income) expense - net consists of:

Net gain on marketable securities transactions ($1 ) ($4 ) ($8 ) ($15 )
Gain on sale of assets (14 ) (46 ) (41 ) (64 )
Debt/buyback exchange 0 5 0 5
Gain on interest in GrainCorp 0 (62 ) 0 (62 )
Loss on Australian foreign exchange hedges 15 0 40 0
Other - net   (43 )   (14 )   (44 )   22  
  ($43 )   ($121 )   ($53 )   ($114 )
Summary of Financial Condition

(unaudited)

 
    December 31,     December 31,
2013     2012
(in millions)
 
NET INVESTMENT IN
Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,121 $ 1,714
Short-term marketable securities 433 576
Operating working capital (a) 10,841 13,563
Property, plant, and equipment 10,137 10,123
Investments in and advances to affiliates 3,300 3,170
Long-term marketable securities 508 717
Other non-current assets   1,237   1,364
$ 29,577 $ 31,227
 
FINANCED BY
Short-term debt $ 358 $ 2,816
Long-term debt, including current maturities 6,512 6,724
Deferred liabilities 2,553 2,556
Shareholders' equity   20,154   19,131
$ 29,577 $ 31,227
 

(a)

 

Current assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities) less current liabilities (excluding short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt).

 
Summary of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 
    Year ended
December 31
2013     2012
(in millions)
Operating Activities    
Net earnings $ 1,354 $ 1,392
Depreciation and amortization 909 869
Asset impairment charges 259 176
Other - net (229 ) (20 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities   2,933     (85 )
Total Operating Activities 5,226 2,332
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (913 ) (1,240 )
Net assets of businesses acquired (44 ) (61 )
Marketable securities - net 104 (445 )
Other investing activities   276     585  
Total Investing Activities (577 ) (1,161 )
Financing Activities
Long-term debt borrowings 23 112
Long-term debt payments (275 ) (1,608 )
Net borrowings (payments) under lines of credit (2,461 ) 1,933
Debt repayment premium and costs (1 ) (209 )
Purchases of treasury stock (101 ) (100 )
Cash dividends (501 ) (461 )
Other   74     12  
Total Financing Activities (3,242 ) (321 )
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,407 850
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period   1,714     864  
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 3,121   $ 1,714  
 
Segment Operating Analysis

(unaudited)

 
    Quarter ended     Year ended
December 31 December 31
2013   2012 2013   2012
(in '000s metric tons)
   

Processed volumes

Oilseeds 8,840 8,406 31,768 31,820
Corn 6,374 6,026 23,688 24,517
Milling and Cocoa   1,862   1,813   7,226   7,023
Total processed volumes   17,076   16,245   62,682   63,360
 
 
Quarter ended Year ended
December 31 December 31
  2013     2012   2013     2012
(in millions)
 

Net sales and other operating income

Oilseeds Processing $ 8,188 $ 8,364 $ 34,883 $ 35,430
Corn Processing 3,055 3,041 13,139 11,830
Agricultural Services 12,699 13,485 41,480 43,159
Other   201   31   302   140
Total net sales and other operating income $ 24,143 $ 24,921 $ 89,804 $ 90,559
 
Adjusted Earnings Per Share
A non-GAAP financial measure

(unaudited)

 
    Quarter Ended     Year ended
December 31 December 31
2013   2012 2013   2012
Reported EPS (fully diluted) $ 0.56   $ 0.77 $ 2.02   $ 2.08
Adjustments:
LIFO (credit) charge (a) - (0.11 ) (0.21 ) -
GrainCorp-related charges (gains) (b) 0.25 (0.07 ) 0.28 (0.07 )
Asset impairment charges (c) 0.11 - 0.13 0.16
FCPA charges (d) - - 0.06 -
Pension settlements (e) - 0.07 - 0.07
Gain on sale of assets (f) - (0.04 ) - (0.04 )
Restructuring and exit costs (g) 0.01 - 0.01 0.08
Tax impacts:
Valuation allowance (h) 0.12 - 0.12 -
U.S. biodiesel credits (i) (0.13 ) - (0.08 ) -
Effective tax rate adjustment (j) 0.03 (0.03 ) - -
Brazil income tax remeasurement (k)   -     0.01     -     0.02  
Sub-total adjustments   0.39     (0.17 )   0.31     0.22  
Adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP) $ 0.95   $ 0.60   $ 2.33   $ 2.30  
 
(a)   The company’s pretax changes in its LIFO reserves during the period, tax effected using the company’s U.S. effective income tax rate.
(b) Certain charges (gains) related to the company’s interest in GrainCorp, including current quarter impairment charge (effectively taxed at a zero rate) and other losses and gains for the current and prior periods, tax effected using applicable tax rates.
(c) Asset impairment charges recognized in the period related to certain fixed assets and investments, tax effected using applicable tax rates. Current-period charges primarily relate to Brazilian sugar-milling assets. Year-ago period charges primarily relate to Gruma.
(d) Charges, net of estimated tax, related to settlements with government agencies pertaining to potential violations of anti-corruption practices.
(e) Expense related to pension settlements, tax effected using applicable tax rates.
(f) Gains on the sales of certain of the company’s assets, net of estimated tax. Exchange membership interests were disposed of in the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2012.
(g) Restructuring and exit costs, tax effected using applicable tax rates.
(h) Valuation allowance on certain deferred tax assets. Current-period charges relate to net operating loss carry-forwards of certain international subsidiaries.
(i) Income tax benefit recognized in the current period related U.S. biodiesel blending credits in prior periods.
(j) Impact to EPS due to the change in annual effective tax rate on prior year-to-date earnings.
(k) Tax impact of foreign-exchange remeasurement of certain Brazilian assets associated with the 2012 change in fiscal reporting periods.
 

Adjusted EPS is ADM’s fully diluted EPS after removal of the effect on Reported EPS of certain specified items as more fully described above. Management believes that Adjusted EPS is a useful measure of ADM’s performance because it provides investors additional information about ADM’s operations allowing better evaluation of ongoing business performance. Adjusted EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not intended to replace or be an alternative to EPS, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, or any other measures of operating results under GAAP. Earnings amounts in the tables above have been divided by the company’s diluted shares outstanding for each respective quarter in order to arrive at an adjusted EPS amount for each specified item.



Get the latest news and updates from Stockhouse on social media

Follow STOCKHOUSE Today