Archer-Daniels-Midland 10-Q 2022-09-30
Filed 2022-10-25. 7 sections, 262K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2022
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 1-44

ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 41-0129150 | ||||||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I. R. S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||
| 77 West Wacker Drive, Suite 4600 | |||||||||||
| Chicago, | Illinois | 60601 | |||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(312) 634-8100
(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, no par value | ADM | NYSE | ||||||
| 1.000% Notes due 2025 | NYSE |
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 | ☐ | Emerging Growth Company | ☐ | ||||||||||||
| Non-accelerated Filer | ☐ | Smaller Reporting 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 ☒.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, no par value – 549,334,227 shares
(October 24, 2022)
SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking information within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that is subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, expressed, or implied by such forward-looking information. Risks and uncertainties that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, as may be updated in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. To the extent permitted under applicable law, Archer-Daniels-Midland Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions, except per share amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 24,683 | $ | 20,340 | $ | 75,617 | $ | 62,159 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of products sold | 22,872 | 19,014 | 69,809 | 57,822 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross Profit | 1,811 | 1,326 | 5,808 | 4,337 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general, and administrative expenses | 818 | 720 | 2,461 | 2,208 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs | 28 | 2 | 30 | 84 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates | (210) | (110) | (606) | (398) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and investment income | (85) | (20) | (176) | (83) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 97 | 61 | 262 | 188 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other (income) expense – net | (67) | 20 | (183) | 36 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings Before Income Taxes | 1,230 | 653 | 4,020 | 2,302 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | 193 | 120 | 679 | 364 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Including Noncontrolling Interests | 1,037 | 533 | 3,341 | 1,938 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests | 6 | 7 | 20 | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net Earnings Attributable to Controlling Interests | $ | 1,031 | $ | 526 | $ | 3,321 | $ | 1,927 | |||||||||||||||
| Average number of shares outstanding – basic | 561 | 564 | 565 | 564 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Average number of shares outstanding – diluted | 563 | 566 | 566 | 566 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per common share | $ | 1.84 | $ | 0.93 | $ | 5.88 | $ | 3.42 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per common share | $ | 1.83 | $ | 0.93 | $ | 5.87 | $ | 3.41 | |||||||||||||||
| Dividends per common share | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.11 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings including noncontrolling interests | $ | 1,037 | $ | 533 | $ | 3,341 | $ | 1,938 | |||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | (221) | (24) | (79) | 305 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | (74) | (30) | (189) | (78) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net of tax amount | (295) | (54) | (268) | 227 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities adjustment | 8 | 13 | 45 | 102 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | (2) | 5 | (13) | (22) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net of tax amount | 6 | 18 | 32 | 80 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Deferred gain (loss) on hedging activities | 43 | 75 | 245 | 258 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | (5) | (1) | (50) | (41) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net of tax amount | 38 | 74 | 195 | 217 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on investments | — | 6 | (13) | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tax effect | 1 | — | 2 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net of tax amount | 1 | 6 | (11) | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | (250) | 44 | (52) | 527 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) | 787 | 577 | 3,289 | 2,465 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 3 | 6 | 8 | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to controlling interests | $ | 784 | $ | 571 | $ | 3,281 | $ | 2,455 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| (In millions) | September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||
| Assets | |||||||||||
| Current Assets | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,099 | $ | 943 | |||||||
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
The table below provides a reconciliation of diluted EPS to adjusted EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
| Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In millions | Per share | In millions | Per share | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average number of shares outstanding - diluted | 566 | 566 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings and reported EPS (fully diluted) | $ | 3,321 | $ | 5.87 | $ | 1,927 | $ | 3.41 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gains on sales of assets and businesses - net of tax of $7 million in 2022 and $5 million in 2021 (1) | (20) | (0.04) | (17) | (0.03) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Asset impairment, restructuring, and settlement charges - net of tax of $14 million in 2022 and $53 million in 2021 (1) | 60 | 0.10 | 167 | 0.30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Expenses related to acquisitions - net of tax of $1 million in 2022 and 2021 (1) | 1 | — | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt extinguishment charges - net of tax of $9 million (1) | — | — | 27 | 0.05 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gain on debt conversion option - net of tax of $0 (1) | (12) | (0.02) | (17) | (0.03) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Certain discrete tax adjustments | 2 | — | (4) | (0.01) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total adjustments | 31 | 0.04 | 158 | 0.28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted net earnings and adjusted EPS | $ | 3,352 | $ | 5.91 | $ | 2,085 | $ | 3.69 | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) Tax effected using the U.S. and other applicable tax rates.
The tables below provide a reconciliation of earnings before income taxes to adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA by segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021.
| Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | $ | 4,020 | $ | 2,302 | $ | 1,718 | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | 262 | 188 | 74 | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 774 | 739 | 35 | ||||||||||||||
| Gains on sales of assets and businesses | (27) | (22) | (5) | ||||||||||||||
| Debt extinguishment charges | — | 36 | (36) | ||||||||||||||
| Expenses related to acquisitions | 2 | 3 | (1) | ||||||||||||||
| Railroad maintenance expenses | 41 | 34 | 7 | ||||||||||||||
| Asset impairment, restructuring, and settlement charges | 74 | 220 | (146) | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 5,146 | $ | 3,500 | $ | 1,646 | |||||||||||
| Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||||
| September 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | 2022 | 2021 | Change | ||||||||||||||
| Ag Services and Oilseeds | $ | 3,469 | $ | 2,243 | $ | 1,226 | |||||||||||
| Carbohydrate Solutions | 1,337 | 1,106 | 231 | ||||||||||||||
| Nutrition | 800 | 692 | 108 | ||||||||||||||
| Other Business | 103 | 15 | 88 | ||||||||||||||
| Corporate | (563) | (556) | (7) | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 5,146 | $ | 3,500 | $ | 1,646 |
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
Liquidity and Capital Resources
A Company objective is to have sufficient liquidity, balance sheet strength, and financial flexibility to fund the operating and capital requirements of a capital-intensive agricultural commodity-based business. The Company depends on access to credit markets, which can be impacted by its credit rating and factors outside of ADM’s control, to fund its working capital needs and capital expenditures. The primary source of funds to finance ADM’s operations, capital expenditures, and advancement of its growth strategy is cash generated by operations and lines of credit, including a commercial paper borrowing facility and accounts receivable securitization programs. In addition, the Company believes it has access to funds from public and private equity and debt capital markets in both U.S. and international markets.
Cash provided by operating activities was $3.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $5.9 billion for the same period last year. Working capital changes decreased cash by $1.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to an increase of $2.8 billion for the same period last year. Segregated cash and investments increased approximately $1.5 billion due to increased trading activity in the Company’s futures commission and brokerage business. Trade receivables increased $1.6 billion due to higher revenues. Inventories decreased approximately $0.6 billion due to lower inventory volumes partially offset by higher inventory prices. Other current assets increased $0.9 billion primarily due to increases in contracts and futures gains, margin deposits and grain accounts, and customer omnibus receivable. Brokerage payables increased approximately $1.7 billion due to increased customer trading activity in the Company’s futures commission and brokerage business.
Cash used in investing activities was $0.9 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $1.3 billion for the same period last year. Capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $0.8 billion compared to $0.7 billion for the same period last year. Other-net for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 of $0.1 billion consisted of new and additional cost method equity investments.
Cash used in financing activities was $2.4 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 compared to $1.6 billion for the same period last year. Long-term debt borrowings for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 of $0.8 billion consisted of the $750 million aggregate principal amount of 2.900% notes due 2032, compared to long-term debt borrowings for the same period last year of $1.3 billion which consisted of the $750 million aggregate principal amount of 2.700% Notes due 2051 issued on September 10, 2021 and the €0.5 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate senior notes due 2022 issued in a private placement on March 25, 2021. The Company expects to apply an amount equal to the proceeds from the borrowings in the current period to finance or refinance eligible green projects and/or eligible social projects. Proceeds from the borrowings in the prior period were used to redeem debt and for general corporate purposes. Long-term debt payments of $0.5 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 consisted of the €0.5 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed-to-floating rate senior notes due 2022 issued in a private placement on March 25, 2021, compared to $0.5 billion for the same period last year which consisted of the early redemption of the $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.750% notes due 2025 in September 2021. Net payments on short-term credit agreements for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $0.8 billion compared to $1.7 billion for the same period last year. Dividends for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $0.7 billion compared to $0.6 billion for the same period last year. Share repurchases for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 were $1.2 billion compared to an insignificant amount for the same period last year.
At September 30, 2022, the Company had $1.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents and a current ratio, defined as current assets divided by current liabilities, of 1.5 to 1. Included in working capital was $7.6 billion of readily marketable commodity inventories. At September 30, 2022, the Company’s capital resources included shareholders’ equity of $24.0 billion and lines of credit, including the accounts receivable securitization programs described below, totaling $12.2 billion, of which $10.1 billion was unused. The Company’s ratio of long-term debt to total capital (the sum of the Company’s long-term debt and shareholders’ equity) was 24% and 26% at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The Company uses this ratio as a measure of the Company’s long-term indebtedness and an indicator of financial flexibility. The Company’s ratio of net debt (the sum of short-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt, and long-term debt less the sum of cash and cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities) to capital (the sum of net debt and shareholders’ equity) was 24% and 28% at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Of the Company’s total lines of credit, $5.0 billion supported the combined U.S. and European commercial paper borrowing programs, against which there was no commercial paper outstanding at September 30, 2022.
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)
As of September 30, 2022, the Company had $1.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents, $0.5 billion of which was cash held by foreign subsidiaries whose undistributed earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested. Based on the Company’s historical ability to generate sufficient cash flows from its U.S. operations and unused and available U.S. credit capacity of $6.5 billion, the Company has asserted that these funds are indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S.
The Company has accounts receivable securitization programs (the “Programs”) with certain commercial paper conduit purchasers and committed purchasers. The Programs provide the Company with up to $2.6 billion in funding against accounts receivable transferred into the Programs and expands the Company’s access to liquidity through efficient use of its balance sheet assets (see Note 14 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 1 herein, “Financial Statements” for more information and disclosures on the Programs). As of September 30, 2022, the Company had $0.6 billion unused capacity of its facility under the Programs.
As of September 30, 2022, the Company has total available liquidity of $11.2 billion comprised of cash and cash equivalents and unused lines of credit.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company spent approximately $0.8 billion in capital expenditures, $0.7 billion in dividends, and $1.2 billion in share repurchases. The Company has a stock repurchase program. Under the program, the Company has 90.5 million shares remaining as of September 30, 2022 that may be repurchased until December 31, 2024.
In 2022, the Company expects total capital expenditures of approximately $1.3 billion and additional cash outlay of approximately $0.9 billion in dividends, subject to other strategic uses of capital and the evolution of operating cash flows and the working capital position throughout the year.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
The Company’s purchase obligations as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were $17.9 billion and $18.6 billion, respectively. The change is primarily related to a decrease in obligations for commitments other than energy and inventory. As of September 30, 2022, the Company expects to make payments related to purchase obligations of $16.7 billion within the next twelve months. There were no other material changes in the Company’s contractual obligations during the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
There were no material changes in the Company’s off balance sheet arrangements during the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There were no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies and estimates during the quarter ended September 30, 2022. For a description of the Company’s critical accounting policies, estimates, and assumptions used in the preparation of the Company’s financial statements, see Part II, Item 7 and Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II, Item 8, of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The market risk inherent in the Company’s market risk sensitive instruments and positions is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in: commodity market prices as they relate to the Company’s net commodity position, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. Significant changes in market risk sensitive instruments and positions for the quarter ended September 30, 2022 are described below. There were no material changes during the period in the Company’s potential loss arising from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
For detailed information regarding the Company’s market risk sensitive instruments and positions, see Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK (Continued)
Commodities
The availability and prices of agricultural commodities are subject to wide fluctuations due to factors such as changes in weather conditions, crop disease, plantings, government programs and policies, competition, changes in global demand, changes in customer preferences and standards of living, and global production of similar and competitive crops.
The fair value of the Company’s commodity position is a summation of the fair values calculated for each commodity by valuing all of the commodity positions at quoted market prices for the period, where available, or utilizing a close proxy. The Company has established metrics to monitor the amount of market risk exposure, which consist of volumetric limits and value-at-risk (VaR) limits. VaR measures the potential loss, at a 95% confidence level, that could be incurred over a one-year period. Volumetric limits are monitored daily and VaR calculations and sensitivity analysis are monitored weekly.
In addition to measuring the hypothetical loss resulting from an adverse two standard deviation move in market prices (assuming no correlations) over a one-year period using VaR, sensitivity analysis is performed measuring the potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in market prices. The highest, lowest, and average weekly position together with the market risk from a hypothetical 10% adverse price change is as follows:
| Nine months ended | Year ended | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Long/(Short) (In millions) | Fair Value | Market Risk | Fair Value | Market Risk | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Highest position | $ | 986 | $ | 99 | $ | 1,426 | $ | 143 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Lowest position | 112 | 11 | (98) | (10) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average position | 403 | 40 | 671 | 67 |
The change in fair value of the average position was due to the decrease in prices of certain commodities and, to a lesser extent, the overall decrease in average quantities.
Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
As of September 30, 2022, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s “disclosure controls and procedures” (as defined in Rules 13a–15(e) and 15d–15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)). Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There was no change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the Company’s most recently completed fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
During 2018, the Company launched an initiative called Readiness to drive new efficiencies and improve the customer experience in the Company’s existing businesses through a combination of data analytics, process simplification and standardization, and behavioral and cultural change, building upon its earlier 1ADM and operational excellence programs. As part of this transformation, the Company is implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system on a worldwide basis, which is expected to occur in phases over the next several years. The first phase of the ERP system implementation occurred in October 2021 to a limited pilot scope of legal entities. The Company continues to consider these changes in its design of and testing for effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting and concluded, as part of the evaluation described in the above paragraph, that the implementation of the new ERP system in these circumstances has not materially affected its internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is routinely involved in a number of actual or threatened legal actions, including those involving alleged personal injuries, employment law, product liability, intellectual property, environmental issues, alleged tax liability (see Note 9 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 1 herein, “Financial Statements” for information on income tax matters), and class actions. The Company also routinely receives inquiries from regulators and other government authorities relating to various aspects of its business, and at any given time, the Company has matters at various stages of resolution. The outcomes of these matters are not within the Company’s complete control and may not be known for prolonged periods of time. In some actions, claimants seek damages, as well as other relief including injunctive relief, that could require significant expenditures or result in lost revenues. In accordance with applicable accounting standards, the Company records a liability in its consolidated financial statements for material loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a known or probable loss is a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount of the range is accrued. If a material loss contingency is reasonably possible but not known or probable, and can be reasonably estimated, the estimated loss or range of loss is disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required to estimate the amount and timing of a loss to be recorded. Estimates of probable losses resulting from litigation and governmental proceedings involving the Company are inherently difficult to predict, particularly when the matters are in early procedural stages, with incomplete facts or legal discovery; involve unsubstantiated or indeterminate claims for damages; potentially involve penalties, fines, disgorgement, or punitive damages; or could result in a change in business practice.
On September 4, 2019, AOT Holding AG (“AOT”) filed a putative class action under the U.S. Commodities Exchange Act in federal district court in Urbana, Illinois, alleging that the Company sought to manipulate the benchmark price used to price and settle ethanol derivatives traded on futures exchanges. On March 16, 2021, AOT filed an amended complaint adding a second named plaintiff Maize Capital Group, LLC (“Maize”). AOT and Maize allege that members of the putative class collectively suffered damages calculated to be between approximately $500 million to over $2.0 billion as a result of the Company’s alleged actions. On July 14, 2020, Green Plains Inc. and its related entities (“GP”) filed a putative class action lawsuit, alleging substantially the same operative facts, in federal court in Nebraska, seeking to represent sellers of ethanol. On July 23, 2020, Midwest Renewable Energy, LLC (“MRE”) filed a putative class action in federal court in Illinois alleging substantially the same operative facts and asserting claims under the Sherman Act. On November 11, 2020, United Wisconsin Grain Producers LLC (“UWGP”) and five other ethanol producers filed a lawsuit in federal court in Illinois alleging substantially the same facts and asserting claims under the Sherman Act and Illinois, Iowa, and Wisconsin law. The court granted ADM’s motion to dismiss the MRE and UWGP complaints without prejudice on August 9, 2021 and September 28, 2021, respectively. On August 16, 2021, the court granted ADM’s motion to dismiss the GP complaint, dismissing one claim with prejudice and declining jurisdiction over the remaining state law claim. MRE filed an amended complaint on August 30, 2021, which ADM moved to dismiss on September 27, 2021. UWGP filed an amended complaint on October 19, 2021, which the court dismissed on July 12, 2022. UWGP has given notice that it intends to appeal the dismissal. On October 26, 2021, GP filed a new complaint in Nebraska federal district court, alleging substantially the same facts and asserting a claim for tortious interference with contractual relations. On March 18, 2022, the Nebraska federal district court granted ADM’s motion to transfer the GP case back to the Central District of Illinois for further proceedings. ADM moved to dismiss the complaint on May 20, 2022. The Company denies liability, and is vigorously defending itself in these actions. As these actions are in pretrial proceedings, the Company is unable at this time to predict the final outcome with any reasonable degree of certainty, but believes the outcome will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceeding or environmental claim that it believes would have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
The information presented below updates, and should be read in conjunction with, the risk factors in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. Except as presented below, there were no other significant changes in the Company’s risk factors during the quarter ended September 30, 2022.
The Company faces risks related to international conflicts, terrorism or other geopolitical events, such as the conflict in Ukraine, and related sanctions and other economic disruptions.
ADM’s assets and operations located in the region affected by the conflict in Ukraine are at an increased risk to property damage, inventory loss, business disruption, and expropriation. The conflict could continue to impact global margins due to increased commodity, energy, and input costs. The Black Sea region is a major exporter of wheat and corn to the world, and the disruption of supply could cause volatility in prices and margins of these commodities and related products. Ukraine is also the largest supplier of sun seed and sun oil in the world which cannot be completely replaced from other origins. If current inventories are depleted prior to the restoration of operations, Europe will have to reformulate to alternative oils. In addition to ADM’s operations, one of the Company’s joint ventures is also exposed to the same risks. While the Company has a robust sanction program, there is a risk that ADM and its related parties could trade with a sanctioned partner due to the number of sanctions taken against Russia. The Company may also face increased cyber risk given that Russia is known to have extensive capabilities to engage in cyber attacks. Trade receivables may be at risk of higher defaults and other third-party risks could affect ADM’s ability to obtain inputs if suppliers are unable to perform or face insolvency, as certain supplies may not be attainable due to sanctions and/or restrictions on cross-border payment transactions. The Company could be materially impacted if, in the worst-case scenario, the conflict advances to other countries. In such circumstances, trade policies and the Company’s critical global supply chain and logistical networks could be affected, impairing the Company’s ability to satisfy contractual obligations and impacting working capital requirements. Insurance may not adequately cover these risks. In addition, provisions for certain products that ADM produces, particularly those that support the food services channels, could be materially impacted. The Company continues to monitor the conflict in Ukraine and evaluate alternatives to mitigate the impacts of these risks.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased**(1)** | Average Price Paid per Share | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of a Publicly Announced Program**(2)** | Number of Shares Remaining that May be Purchased Under the Program**(2)** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 1, 2022 to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 31, 2022 | 205,743 | $ | 79.362 | 205,587 | 101,998,106 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1, 2022 to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| August 31, 2022 | 4,636,133 | 84.398 | 4,633,816 | 97,364,290 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 1, 2022 to | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 30, 2022 | 6,882,764 | 86.128 | 6,879,181 | 90,485,109 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 11,724,640 | $ | 85.325 | 11,718,584 | 90,485,109 |
(1)Total shares purchased represents those shares purchased in the open market as part of the Company’s publicly announced share repurchase program described below, shares received as payment for the exercise price of stock option exercises, and shares received as payment for the withholding taxes on vested restricted stock awards. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2022, there were 6,056 shares received as payments for the minimum withholding taxes on vested restricted stock awards and for the exercise price of stock option exercises.
(2)On August 7, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the extension of the stock repurchase program through December 31, 2024 and the repurchase of up to an additional 100,000,000 shares under the extended program.
Item 6. EXHIBITS
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.
| ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY | |||||
| /s/ V. Luthar | |||||
| V. Luthar | |||||
| Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||||
| /s/ D. C. Findlay | |||||
| D. C. Findlay | |||||
| Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary |
Dated: October 25, 2022