ADM Third-Quarter Earnings up 37 Percent

May 3, 2011

Profits of $ 578 million or $ 0.86 per share on increases across all business units

DECATUR, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) today reported third-quarter net earnings of $ 578 million and quarterly segment operating profit of $ 1.0 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, up $ 157 million and $ 310 million, respectively, from the same period one year earlier.

  • ADM earned $ 0.86 diluted EPS, a 32 percent increase versus last year’s $ 0.65 third quarter.
  • Segment operating profit of $ 1.0 billion was up 45 percent from the same period last year.
  • Oilseeds Processing profit increased $ 107 million due to favorable ownership, strong North American results and the reversal of mark-to-market timing effects.
  • Corn Processing profit increased $ 100 million on favorable ownership and good volumes for sweeteners, starches and lysine.
  • Agricultural Services profit increased $ 6 million, in line with the prior year’s results, amid challenging and volatile global markets.

“The ADM team performed very well. Against a backdrop of volatile commodity prices, a challenging margin environment and geopolitical instability in the Middle East, North Africa and Côte d’Ivoire, our team worked smart and hard and delivered strong results,” said Patricia Woertz, ADM chairman and CEO. “As we look ahead, we are monitoring the planting and growing season in North America and Europe. Overall, global demand for crops and agricultural products remains relatively strong. In these conditions, ADM will use our unique global asset base and strong balance sheet to serve vital needs, efficiently connecting the world’s growers with the world’s buyers, and delivering value for our customers and our shareholders.”

Financial Highlights

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

  Quarter Ended

March 31

  Nine Months Ended

March 31

 
  2011   2010   Change 2011   2010   Change
Segment operating profit $ 1,006   $ 696   $ 310 $ 3,133   $ 2,440   $ 693
Net earnings $ 578 $ 421 $ 157 $ 1,655 $ 1,484 $ 171
Diluted earnings per share $ 0.86 $ 0.65 $ 0.21 $ 2.55 $ 2.30 $ 0.25
Average shares outstanding   684     645       655     644    
 

A summary of segment operating profit and net earnings follows:

  Quarter ended
March 31
        Nine months ended
March 31
   
2011   2010   Change 2011   2010   Change
(in millions)  
     
Oilseeds Processing $ 512 $ 405 $ 107 $ 1,145 $ 1,041 $ 104
Corn Processing 204 104 100 944 582 362
Agricultural Services 171 165 6 729 490 239
Other   119     22     97     315     327     (12 )
Segment operating profit 1,006 696 310 3,133 2,440 693
Corporate   (215 )   (162 )   (53 )   (882 )   (405 )   (477 )
Earnings before income taxes 791 534 257 2,251 2,035 216
Income taxes     (223 )   (118 )   (105 )   (612 )   (561 )   (51 )
Net earnings including

noncontrolling interests

568

416

152

1,639

1,474

165

 

Less: Net earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(10

)

(5

)

(5

)

(16

)

(10

)

(6

)

           
Net earnings

$

578

 

$

421

 

$

157

 

$

1,655

 

$

1,484

 

$

171

 

Discussion of Net Earnings

Net earnings for the third quarter of $ 578 million increased $ 157 million due principally to a $ 310 million increase in segment operating profit. This increase was partially offset by changes in LIFO inventory valuations, included in corporate, caused by higher agricultural commodity prices. Earnings before income taxes include a LIFO charge of $ 43 million this quarter, decreasing EPS by $ 0.04, compared to a LIFO gain of $ 43 million last year, which increased EPS by $ 0.04.

The fully diluted EPS calculation was impacted by the completion of the company’s debt remarketing related to the Equity Units issued in 2008. While 44 million new common shares will be issued on June 1, the accounting requirement to use the “if converted” method assumes the company issued the shares at the beginning of the fiscal third quarter, and this assumption results in a $(0.05) per share impact for this quarter.

The company’s effective income tax rate for the quarter was 28 percent, compared to the prior year’s third quarter rate of 22 percent. Last year’s effective tax rate included an adjustment to the quarterly rate to bring the cumulative effective tax rate for the year-to-date into line with the lower fiscal year forecast.

Oilseeds Processing

Oilseeds operating profit in the third quarter increased $ 107 million to $ 512 million.

Crushing and origination operating profit increased $ 133 million to $ 405 million for the quarter. Favorable ownership and strong North American results offset a decline from South America. European results increased significantly, principally on the reversal of mark-to-market timing effects.

Refining, packaging, biodiesel and other generated a profit of $ 89 million for the quarter, up $ 23 million from last year, as improved results from North and South America offset lower results from Europe.

Oilseeds results in Asia declined $ 49 million to $ 18 million for the quarter, principally reflecting ADM’s share of the weaker results from its equity investee, Wilmar International Limited.

Corn Processing

For the quarter, corn processing operating profit increased $ 100 million to a profit of $ 204 million. Processed volumes were up 13 percent, reflecting increased production at the company’s corn processing plants, including the two new ethanol dry mills.

Sweeteners and starches operating profit of $ 46 million was essentially flat, as higher average selling prices and volumes were mostly offset by higher net corn costs. Export demand for sweetener remained strong, and U.S. demand for industrial starches improved.

Bioproducts profit in the quarter rose $ 99 million to $ 158 million, driven by favorable corn ownership and strong demand for value-added food and feed ingredients, particularly lysine.

Agricultural Services

Agricultural Services operating profit of $ 171 million increased $ 6 million from last year’s results.

The global merchandising and handling team delivered good results, comparable to last year, amid a challenging environment of significant volatility in agricultural commodity markets, regional instability in the Middle East and North Africa, and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. U.S. export volumes and margins remained strong in the quarter.

Earnings from transportation operations improved on higher barge-freight rates.

Other

In the third quarter, profits from ADM’s Other business units increased $ 97 million to $ 119 million.

In other processing, profits in wheat milling and cocoa operations were $ 96 million, an increase of $ 87 million from the year-ago quarter, which included large mark-to-market charges in the cocoa operations. During the quarter, cocoa operations in Côte d’Ivoire were suspended, and ADM met customer needs through its global cocoa processing network.

Other financial increased $ 10 million mainly due to improved results of ADM’s captive insurance subsidiary and ADM Investor Services.

Corporate

Corporate results decreased $ 53 million principally due to an $ 86 million change in LIFO reserves and higher corporate costs. Last year’s third quarter included a $ 75 million charge relating to debt repurchase.

Current Market Conditions

Overall global economic conditions are being impacted by significant geopolitical developments, rising energy costs and evolving monetary and fiscal policies. These elements have the potential to temper global economic growth.

Regional crop supply imbalances are resulting in elevated prices and significant volatility. South America is harvesting a near-record soybean crop and has sufficient supply. In North America, the carryouts of corn and soybeans are projected to be tight, and farmers are beginning to plant. The global wheat supply is ample, and canola and rapeseed supplies vary by region.

Global demand for crops and agricultural products continues to grow. Global protein meal demand is firm. North American corn sweetener volumes are higher, led by Mexico. Ethanol consumption in the U.S. remains at maximum blendable levels, and global biodiesel demand is growing.

Conference Call Information

ADM will host a conference call and audio webcast at 8:30 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday, May 3, 2011, 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 online or to download the slide presentation, go to www.adm.com/webcast. To listen by telephone, dial 866-356-4123 or 617-597-5393; the access code is 48899048. Replay of the call will be available from 11:00 a.m. Central Time on May 3 to May 10, 2011. To listen to the replay by telephone, dial 888-286-8010 or 617-801-6888; the access code is 37235690. To listen to the replay online, visit www.adm.com/webcast.

About ADM

Every day, the 29,000 people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) turn crops into renewable products that meet the demands of a growing world. At more than 240 processing plants, we convert corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses. We operate the world’s premier crop origination and transportation network, connecting crops and markets in more than 60 countries. Our global headquarters is in Decatur, Illinois, and our net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2010, were $62 billion. For more information about our company and our products, visit www.adm.com.

Segment Operating Analysis

(unaudited)

   
Quarter ended
March 31
Nine months ended
March 31
2011  

2010

2011   2010
(in ‘000s metric tons)

Processed volumes

   
Oilseeds Processing 7,683 7,740 22,592 21,911
Corn Processing 5,631 4,990 17,373 14,378
Wheat and cocoa   1,750   1,764   5,454   5,548
Total processing volumes   15,064   14,494   45,419   41,837
 
Quarter ended
March 31
Nine months ended
March 31
2011   2010 2011   2010
(in millions)

Net sales and other operating income

Oilseeds Processing $ 6,642 $ 5,084 $ 19,322 $ 16,322
Corn Processing 2,513 1,960 7,176 5,905
Agricultural Services 9,340 6,788 26,631 19,750
Other   1,582   1,313   4,677   4,002

Total net sales and other operating income

$ 20,077 $ 15,145 $ 57,806 $ 45,979
 

Segment Operating Profit and Corporate Results

(unaudited)

 

Quarter ended

March 31

   

Nine months ended

March 31

2011   2010   Change 2011   2010   Change
(in millions)
       
Oilseeds Processing Operating Profit
Crushing and origination $ 405 $ 272 $ 133 $ 781 $ 600 $ 181

Refining, packaging, biodiesel and other

89

66

23

243

212

31

Asia   18     67     (49 )     121     229     (108 )
Total Oilseeds Processing $ 512 $ 405 $ 107 $ 1,145 $ 1,041 $ 104
 
Corn Processing Operating Profit
Sweeteners and starches $ 46 $ 45 $ 1 $ 311 $ 410 $ (99 )
Bioproducts   158     59     99     633     172     461  
Total Corn Processing $ 204 $ 104 $ 100 $ 944 $ 582 $ 362
 
Agricultural Services Operating Profit
Merchandising and handling $ 155 $ 154 $ 1 $ 634 $ 414 $ 220
Transportation   16     11     5     95     76     19  
Total Agricultural Services $ 171 $ 165 $ 6 $ 729 $ 490 $ 239
 
Other Operating Profit
Processing $ 96 $ 9 $ 87 $ 282 $ 275 $ 7
Financial   23     13     10     33     52     (19 )
Total Other $ 119   $ 22   $ 97   $ 315   $ 327   $ (12 )
 
Segment Operating Profit $ 1,006 $ 696 $ 310 $ 3,133 $ 2,440 $ 693
 
Corporate
LIFO credit (charge) $ (43 ) $ 43 $ (86 ) $ (420 ) $ 65 $ (485 )
Interest expense - net (81 ) (73 ) (8 ) (253 ) (209 ) (44 )
Corporate costs (93 ) (64 ) (29 ) (232 ) (203 ) (29 )
Debt buyback costs (75 ) 75 (75 ) 75

Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps

6

6

30

30

Other   (4 )   7     (11 )   (7 )   17     (24 )
Total Corporate $ (215 ) $ (162 ) $ (53 ) $ (882 ) $ (405 ) $ (477 )
 
Earnings Before Income Taxes $ 791   $ 534   $ 257   $ 2,251   $ 2,035   $ 216  
 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings

(unaudited)

   
Quarter ended
March 31
Nine months ended
March 31
2011   2010 2011   2010
(in millions, except per share amounts)
   
Net sales and other operating income $ 20,077 $ 15,145 $ 57,806 $ 45,979
Cost of products sold   18,917     14,254     54,604     43,062  
Gross profit 1,160 891 3,202 2,917
Selling, general and administrative expenses 395 355 1,188 1,067
Other (income) expense – net   (26 )   2     (237 )   (185 )
Earnings before income taxes 791 534 2,251 2,035
Income taxes   (223 )   (118 )   (612 )   (561 )

Net earnings including noncontrolling interests

568 416 1,639 1,474

Less: Net earnings (losses) attributable to noncontrolling interests

  (10 )   (5 )   (16 )   (10 )
Net earnings attributable to ADM $ 578   $ 421   $ 1,655   $ 1,484  
 
Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.86   $ 0.65   $ 2.55   $ 2.30  
 
Average number of shares outstanding   684     645     655     644  
 
 

Other (income) expense - net consists of:

Interest expense $ 121 $ 101 $ 353 $ 304
Investment income (32 ) (34 ) (97 ) (100 )

Gain related to Golden Peanut acquisition

(71

)

Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated affiliates

(71 )

(137

)

(334

)

(428

)

Debt buyback costs 75 75
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps (6 ) (30 )
Other – net   (38 )   (3 )   (58 )   (36 )
$ (26 ) $ 2   $ (237 ) $ (185 )
 

Summary of Financial Condition

(unaudited)

   
March 31

2011

   

June 30

2010

(in millions)
NET INVESTMENT IN
Working capital $ 18,297 $ 10,279
Property, plant, and equipment 9,315 8,712
Investments in and advances to affiliates 3,062 2,799
Long-term marketable securities 847 678
Other non-current assets   1,287   1,225
$ 32,808 $ 23,693
 
FINANCED BY
Short-term debt $ 5,732 $ 374
Long-term debt, including current maturities 8,526 7,174
Deferred liabilities 1,870 1,514
Shareholders’ equity   16,680   14,631
$ 32,808 $ 23,693
 

Summary of Cash Flows
(unaudited)

 
Nine Months Ended
March 31
2011     2010
(in millions)
Operating Activities  
Net earnings $ 1,639 $ 1,474
Depreciation and amortization 665 673
Other – net (83 ) (129 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities   (6,970 )   757  
Total Operating Activities (4,749 ) 2,775
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (913 ) (1,230 )
Net assets of businesses acquired (206 ) (59 )
Marketable securities – net (504 ) 74
Other investing activities   36     2  
Total Investing Activities (1,587 ) (1,213 )
Financing Activities
Long-term debt borrowings 1,563 14
Long-term debt payments (306 ) (546 )
Debt repayment premium and costs (71 )
Net borrowings (payments) under lines of credit 5,259 (89 )
Purchases of treasury stock (94 )
Cash dividends (293 ) (276 )
Other   19     10  
Total Financing Activities   6,148     (958 )
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (188 ) 604
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period   1,046     1,055  
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 858   $ 1,659  

Archer Daniels Midland Company
Media:
David Weintraub, 217-424-5413
Director, External Communications
Investors:
Dwight Grimestad, 217-424-4586
Vice President, Investor Relations