CF Industries Q2 2023 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
CF Industries Holdings, Inc. reported net sales of $1.775 billion and net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $527 million, or $2.70 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2023. Adjusted EBITDA was $857 million for the quarter.
Solid results driven by robust nitrogen demand, favorable gas cost and strong operational performance
Returned ~$1.3 billion to shareholders over LTM
Advanced our clean energy initiatives - Signed MOU with JERA Co., Inc. for long - term clean ammonia offtake agreement - Signed MOU with LOTTE CHEMICAL Corporation, for long - term clean ammonia supply to South Korea - Progressed blue and green ammonia projects
Donaldsonville green ammonia project: electrolyzer installation has begun
CF Industries
CF Industries
Forward Guidance
Global nitrogen market expected to remain strong for remainder of 2023 and into 2024. Forward energy curves continue to suggest that these wider differentials will persist for an extended period. Global nitrogen cost curve will remain supportive of significant margin opportunities for low - cost North American producers
Positive Outlook
- Global nitrogen market expected to remain strong for remainder of 2023 and into 2024
- Global nitrogen prices stabilized during the latter part of the second quarter as robust demand for spring application season emerged in North America and smaller importing regions such as Asia (ex. India) and Latin America (ex. Brazil) returned to average purchasing patterns compared to 2022
- Management believes that the Northern Hemisphere ended the first half of 2023 with low inventories of nitrogen fertilizer, which, along with expected strong demand from Brazil and India, should support a positive demand environment in the second half of the year
- North American farmer profitability continues to be strong. Nitrogen inventory levels believed to be below average levels
- Forward energy curves continue to suggest that these wider differentials will persist for an extended period
Challenges Ahead
- Europe unfavorable producer economics continue to favor nitrogen imports
- Chinese urea exports are expected to be 2 - 3M metric tons under current measures
- Russian exports of ammonia remain lower while other nitrogen products are at pre - war levels
- India continues to be one of world’s largest importers, with frequent urea tenders expected in the second half despite higher domestic production
- Brazil expected to have strong urea consumption and higher import volumes in the second half, supported by increased crop plantings, robust farmer incomes and favorable weather conditions