filings.toolsItem 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
You should read the following discussion and analysis in conjunction with our annual consolidated financial statements and related notes and our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations that were included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on February 23, 2023, as well as Item 1. Financial Statements in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. All references to “CF Holdings,” “we,” “us,” “our” and “the Company” refer to CF Industries Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, except where the context makes clear that the reference is to CF Industries Holdings, Inc. only and not its subsidiaries. All references to “CF Industries” refer to CF Industries, Inc., a 100% owned subsidiary of CF Industries Holdings, Inc. References to tons refer to short tons, and references to tonnes refer to metric tons. Notes referenced in this discussion and analysis refer to the notes to our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements in Item 1. Financial Statements in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The following is an outline of the discussion and analysis included herein:
- Overview of CF Holdings
*•*Agreement to Purchase Ammonia Production Facility
*•*Market Conditions
*•*Financial Executive Summary
*•*Items Affecting Comparability of Results
- Consolidated Results of Operations
*•*Operating Results by Business Segment
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
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Critical Accounting Estimates
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Forward-Looking Statements
Overview of CF Holdings
Our Company
Our mission is to provide clean energy to feed and fuel the world sustainably. With our employees focused on safe and reliable operations, environmental stewardship, and disciplined capital and corporate management, we are on a path to decarbonize our ammonia production network – the world’s largest – to enable green and blue hydrogen and nitrogen products for energy, fertilizer, emissions abatement and other industrial activities. Our nitrogen manufacturing complexes in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, an extensive storage, transportation and distribution network in North America, and logistics capabilities enabling a global reach underpin our strategy to leverage our unique capabilities to accelerate the world’s transition to clean energy. Our principal customers are cooperatives, independent fertilizer distributors, traders, wholesalers and industrial users. Our core product is anhydrous ammonia (ammonia), which contains 82% nitrogen and 18% hydrogen. Our nitrogen products that are upgraded from ammonia are granular urea, urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN) and ammonium nitrate (AN). Our other nitrogen products include diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), urea liquor, nitric acid and aqua ammonia, which are sold primarily to our industrial customers.
Our principal assets as of September 30, 2023 include:
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five U.S. nitrogen manufacturing facilities located in Donaldsonville, Louisiana (the largest nitrogen complex in the world); Sergeant Bluff, Iowa (our Port Neal complex); Yazoo City, Mississippi; Claremore, Oklahoma (our Verdigris complex); and Woodward, Oklahoma. These facilities are wholly owned directly or indirectly by CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC (CFN), of which we own approximately 89% and CHS Inc. (CHS) owns the remainder (see Note 14—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information on our strategic venture with CHS);
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two Canadian nitrogen manufacturing facilities located in Medicine Hat, Alberta (the largest nitrogen complex in Canada) and Courtright, Ontario;
*•*a United Kingdom nitrogen manufacturing facility located in Billingham;
- an extensive system of terminals and associated transportation equipment located primarily in the Midwestern United States; and
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- a 50% interest in Point Lisas Nitrogen Limited (PLNL), an ammonia production joint venture located in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (Trinidad) that we account for under the equity method.
Our Commitment to a Clean Energy Economy
We are taking significant steps to support a global hydrogen and clean fuel economy, through the production of green and blue ammonia. Since ammonia is one of the most efficient ways to transport and store hydrogen and is also a fuel in its own right, we believe that the Company, as the world’s largest producer of ammonia with an unparalleled manufacturing and distribution network and deep technical expertise, is uniquely positioned to fulfill anticipated demand for hydrogen and ammonia from green and blue sources. Our approach includes green ammonia production, which refers to ammonia produced through a carbon-free process, and blue ammonia production, which relates to ammonia produced by conventional processes but with the ammonia process CO2 byproduct removed through carbon capture and sequestration (CCS).
In April 2021, we signed an engineering and procurement contract with thyssenkrupp to supply a 20 MW alkaline water electrolysis plant to produce green hydrogen at our Donaldsonville complex. We will integrate the green hydrogen generated by the electrolysis plant into existing ammonia synthesis loops to enable the production of approximately 20,000 tons per year of green ammonia. Fabrication and delivery of most major equipment is complete, and installation of the new electrolyzer unit is in progress. We believe that the Donaldsonville green ammonia project will be the largest of its kind in North America at the time of its startup.
In July 2022, we and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui) signed a joint development agreement for the companies’ proposed plans to construct an export-oriented blue ammonia facility. We and Mitsui are expecting to complete the front-end engineering and design (FEED) study for the project in the fourth quarter of 2023, with a final investment decision on the proposed facility to follow. Should the companies agree to move forward, the ammonia facility would be constructed at our new Blue Point complex. We own the land for the complex, which is located on the west bank of the Mississippi river in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. Construction and commissioning of a new world-scale ammonia plant typically takes approximately four years from the time construction begins.
In the first quarter of 2023, we signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with JERA Co., Inc. (JERA), Japan’s largest energy generator, regarding the long-term supply of up to 500,000 tonnes per year of clean ammonia beginning in 2027. The execution of the MOU was the result of a supplier comparison and evaluation process for the procurement of clean ammonia that JERA initiated in February 2022 for the world’s first commercial scale ammonia co-firing operations that JERA is developing. The MOU establishes a framework for JERA and us to assess how we would best supply JERA with clean ammonia, which will be required to be produced with at least 60% lower carbon emissions than conventionally produced ammonia, under a long-term offtake agreement. We and JERA expect to evaluate a range of potential supply options, including JERA making an equity investment with us to develop a clean ammonia facility in Louisiana and a supplementary long-term offtake agreement.
In the first quarter of 2023, we signed an MOU with LOTTE CHEMICAL Corporation (LOTTE), a global chemicals company in South Korea. The MOU will guide LOTTE and us in a joint exploration of the development of clean ammonia production in the United States, in addition to the quantification of expected clean ammonia demand in South Korea and long-term clean ammonia offtake volumes into South Korea.
In September 2023, we and POSCO Holdings Inc. (POSCO) signed a joint development agreement term sheet to evaluate an export-oriented blue ammonia facility to be located at our new Blue Point complex. Should the project move forward, POSCO expects to import low-carbon clean ammonia from the facility into South Korea to support decarbonization of POSCO’s own and third-party coal-based power generation facilities. We and POSCO are initiating a joint FEED study in the fourth quarter of 2023 for the blue ammonia plant utilizing an autothermal reforming (ATR) ammonia production technology and are expecting to complete the FEED study in the second half of 2024.
We are also pursuing opportunities to produce blue ammonia from our existing ammonia production network. We are currently executing a project with an estimated cost of $200 million to construct a CO2 dehydration and compression facility at our Donaldsonville complex to enable the transport and permanent sequestration of the ammonia process CO2 byproduct. Engineering activities for the construction of the dehydration and compression unit continue to advance, all major equipment for the facility has been procured, and fabrication of the CO2 compressors is proceeding. In October 2022, we announced that we had entered into a definitive CO2 offtake agreement with ExxonMobil to transport and permanently sequester CO2 from Donaldsonville. Once the dehydration and compression unit is in service and sequestration is initiated, we expect that the Donaldsonville complex will have the capacity to dehydrate and compress up to 2 million tons per year of process CO2, enabling the production of blue ammonia. Start-up for the project is planned for 2025. Under current regulations, the project
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would be expected to qualify for tax credits under Section 45Q of the Internal Revenue Code, which provides a credit per tonne of CO2 sequestered.
Agreement to Purchase Ammonia Production Facility
On March 20, 2023, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with Dyno Nobel Louisiana Ammonia, LLC (DNLA), a U.S. subsidiary of Australian-based Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL), and IPL. Under the terms of the agreement, we will purchase DNLA’s ammonia production complex located in Waggaman, Louisiana for a purchase price of $1.675 billion, subject to adjustment. The facility has a nameplate capacity of 880,000 tons of ammonia annually. The parties will allocate $425 million of the purchase price to a long-term ammonia offtake agreement providing for us to supply up to 200,000 tons of ammonia per year to IPL’s Dyno Nobel, Inc. subsidiary. We expect to fund the balance of the purchase price, representing the $1.675 billion purchase price, as adjusted, less $425 million, with cash on hand.
The consummation of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary conditions, including, among others, the expiration or early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. We expect to close the transaction on December 1, 2023.
The agreement includes certain customary termination rights, including the right of either party to terminate the agreement if the closing has not occurred by March 20, 2025. We have agreed to pay a termination fee of $75 million if the agreement is terminated in certain circumstances and certain regulatory approvals are not obtained.
Market Conditions
Geopolitical Environment
Changes in the geopolitical environment can have significant effects on our financial results. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the resulting war between Russia and Ukraine, disrupted global markets for certain commodities, including natural gas, nitrogen fertilizers and certain commodity grains and oilseeds, leading to production curtailments, export reductions and logistical complications involving these commodities. Additionally, energy, financial and transportation sanctions were announced by U.S., Canadian, European and other governments against Russia in response to the war. During 2022 and 2023, market participants have continued to adjust trade flows and manufacturers have continued to adjust production levels in response to changing conditions resulting from these factors. As of the date of filing of this report, nitrogen fertilizers have largely been explicitly exempted from sanctions against Russia by the United States and certain other governments, and as a result, there has been an increase in Russian fertilizer exports into the United States and other parts of the world.
As further described below, natural gas is the principal raw material used to produce our nitrogen products. Natural gas is a globally traded commodity that experiences price fluctuations based on supply and demand balances and has been impacted by geopolitical events relating to the war between Russia and Ukraine. European energy markets, which have historically sourced a substantial portion of their natural gas from Russia, were disrupted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent reduction of Russian natural gas supply to Europe during 2022. This led to further increases in natural gas prices and natural gas price volatility, which in turn led to disruptions in manufacturing and distribution activities at other nitrogen manufacturers and suppliers in our industry, resulting in changes in nitrogen product trade flows and reductions in global fertilizer supply. In September 2022, in response to the high prices for natural gas in the United Kingdom, we idled ammonia production at our Billingham complex and since that time have been importing ammonia from one of our North American manufacturing facilities or from purchases in the open market for upgrade into AN and other nitrogen products at that location. In the third quarter of 2023, we approved our plan to permanently close the Billingham ammonia plant.
The geopolitical developments that began in 2022 relating to the war in Ukraine also led to some supply chain disruptions for Russian and other producers of fertilizer, contributing to reduced global nitrogen fertilizer supply. In particular, disruptions in nitrogen exports from Russia, a leading exporter of nitrogen fertilizer products globally, and nitrogen production in Europe, as a result of higher and more volatile natural gas prices as Russian-sourced natural gas supply declined, contributed to reduced nitrogen supply globally. In addition, Russia and Ukraine have been large exporters of commodity grains such as wheat, corn and soybeans. The direct and indirect impacts of the war in Ukraine, and the related uncertainty, resulted in reduced commodity grain supply from Russia and Ukraine, causing increased prices for grains globally. The increase in commodity grain prices in turn supported strong demand for nitrogen fertilizer in 2022. All of these geopolitical developments further contributed to an already tight global supply and demand balance for nitrogen fertilizers, causing changes in global trade flows as both manufacturers and customers reacted to the changing market dynamics. As a result, global nitrogen fertilizer prices remained high and also experienced significant volatility in 2022.
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As Russian-sourced natural gas supply declined due to geopolitical factors, European purchasers of natural gas increased imports from the liquified natural gas (LNG) market to build storage levels leading up to the winter 2022/2023 peak demand season. As storage levels of natural gas increased due to the increased LNG imports, in conjunction with a warmer than expected winter in Europe, prices for natural gas fell during the first half of 2023 and then stabilized during the third quarter of 2023. As natural gas prices decreased, certain nitrogen producers restarted previously idled production, leading to an increase in global nitrogen production operating rates. The increased global nitrogen product supply availability resulting from the increase in operating rates, in addition to new global production coming on line and an increase in Russian imports of UAN into the United States, resulted in an increase in supply and lower average selling prices in the first nine months of 2023 compared to average selling prices realized in 2022.
Nitrogen Selling Prices
Our nitrogen products are globally traded commodities with selling prices that fluctuate in response to global market conditions, changes in supply and demand, and other cost factors including domestic and local conditions. Intense global competition—reflected in import volumes and prices—strongly influences delivered prices for nitrogen fertilizers. In general, the prevailing global prices for nitrogen products must be at a level to incent the high cost marginal producer to produce product at a breakeven or above price, or else they would cease production and leave a portion of global demand unsatisfied.
In the third quarter of 2023, the average selling price for our products was $268 per ton, a decrease of 49% compared to $527 per ton in the third quarter of 2022, reflecting lower average selling prices across all our segments, which drove a decrease in net sales of approximately $1.22 billion for the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the average selling price for our products was $356 per ton, or 42% lower compared to $619 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. This resulted in a decrease in net sales of approximately $3.68 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in average selling prices reflects the impact of an increase in global supply availability due to higher global inventories entering 2023 and lower global energy costs, which drove higher global operating rates. In addition, higher average selling prices in 2022 were driven in part by the geopolitical environment, as described above.
Natural Gas
Natural gas is the principal raw material used to produce our nitrogen products. Natural gas is both a chemical feedstock and a fuel used to produce nitrogen products. Natural gas is a significant cost component of our manufactured nitrogen products, representing approximately 40% and 50%, respectively, of our production costs in the first nine months of 2023 and the year ended December 31, 2022.
The following table presents the average daily market price of natural gas at the Henry Hub, the most heavily-traded natural gas pricing point in North America:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average daily market price of natural gas Henry Hub (Louisiana) (per MMBtu) | $ | 2.58 | $ | 7.96 | $ | (5.38) | (68) | % | $ | 2.46 | $ | 6.66 | $ | (4.20) | (63) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Most of our nitrogen manufacturing facilities are located in the United States and Canada. As a result, the price of natural gas in North America directly impacts a substantial portion of our operating expenses. Average North American natural gas prices were lower during the first nine months of 2023 than during the first nine months of 2022. Warmer-than-normal temperatures in the first quarter of 2023 drove lower heating demand for natural gas, while North American supply remained strong, as there were few weather-related production disruptions. In addition, although the higher cost for natural gas outside of North America incentivized liquefaction facilities in the United States to export domestic natural gas during the first nine months of 2023, the outage at the Freeport LNG facility in the first quarter of 2023 as well as planned maintenance in 2023 at several other LNG facilities limited total gas exports, resulting in greater domestic supply availability. As North America entered the 2023 summer season, natural gas demand for power generation increased due in part to coal-fired power plant retirements and lower natural gas costs. As a result, despite entering the third quarter of 2023 with well above-average volumes of gas in storage, which were 25% higher than one year ago and 15% higher than the five-year average, injection rates in the United States during the third quarter lagged historical averages, leading to end-of-quarter storage levels that were 12% higher than one year ago and 5% higher than the five-year average.
Our Billingham U.K. nitrogen manufacturing facility has been subject to fluctuations associated with the price of natural gas in Europe. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 disrupted European energy markets and threatened security of supply, driving natural gas prices in Europe upward to unprecedented levels. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the average daily market price of natural gas at the National Balancing Point (NBP), the major trading point for natural
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gas in the United Kingdom, was $32.54 per MMBtu and $26.26 per MMBtu, respectively. In September 2022, as a result of extremely high and volatile natural gas prices and the lack of a corresponding increase in global nitrogen product market prices, we idled ammonia production at our Billingham complex. Since that time, we have imported ammonia for upgrade into AN and other nitrogen products at that location. In the third quarter of 2023, we approved our plan to permanently close the Billingham ammonia plant. As a result, we will continue to import ammonia for upgrade.
In the third quarter of 2023, our cost of natural gas used for production, which includes the impact of realized natural gas derivatives, decreased 70% to $2.54 per MMBtu from $8.35 per MMBtu in the third quarter of 2022. This decrease in natural gas costs resulted in an increase in gross margin of $496 million compared to the third quarter of 2022. In the first nine months of 2023, our cost of natural gas used for production, which includes the impact of realized natural gas derivatives, decreased 46% to $3.90 per MMBtu from $7.28 per MMBtu in the first nine months of 2022. This decrease in natural gas costs resulted in an increase in gross margin of $828 million compared to the first nine months of 2022.
Financial Executive Summary
We reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $164 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $438 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022, a decrease in net earnings of $274 million. The decrease in net earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022 reflects a decrease in gross margin, partially offset by a lower income tax provision in the third quarter of 2023 as compared to the third quarter of 2022 and impairment charges related to our U.K. operations in the third quarter of 2022 that did not recur in the third quarter of 2023.
Gross margin decreased by $539 million to $377 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 49% decrease in average selling prices to $268 per ton in the third quarter of 2023 from $527 per ton in the third quarter of 2022, which decreased gross margin by $1.22 billion. The impact of lower selling prices was partially offset by lower natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $496 million, and a decrease in the income tax provision of $132 million due primarily to lower pre-tax earnings in the third quarter of 2023. In addition, pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges related to our U.K. operations of $95 million were recognized in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $5 million in the third quarter of 2023.
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders decreased $1.33 per share, to $0.85 per share, in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $2.18 per share in the third quarter of 2022 due primarily to lower net earnings, partially offset by lower weighted-average common shares outstanding as a result of shares repurchased under our share repurchase programs.
Items Affecting Comparability of Results
For the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $164 million and $438 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we reported net earnings attributable to common stockholders of $1.25 billion and $2.49 billion, respectively. In addition to the impact of market conditions discussed above, certain items affected the comparability of our financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. The following table and related discussion outline these items and their impact on the comparability of our financial results for these periods. The descriptions of items below that refer to amounts in the table refer to the pre-tax amounts unless otherwise noted.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pre-Tax | After-Tax | Pre-Tax | After-Tax | Pre-Tax | After-Tax | Pre-Tax | After-Tax | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives(1) | $ | 7 | $ | 5 | $ | 11 | $ | 7 | $ | (65) | $ | (50) | $ | (39) | $ | (31) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on foreign currency transactions, including intercompany loans(2) | 7 | 5 | 27 | 21 | 5 | 4 | 38 | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.K. operations: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.K. long-lived and intangible asset impairment | — | — | 87 | 66 | — | — | 239 | 181 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.K. operations restructuring | 5 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 18 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction costs related to acquisition agreement | 11 | 9 | — | — | 27 | 21 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment of equity method investment in PLNL(3) | 43 | 33 | — | — | 43 | 33 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pension settlement loss(4) | — | — | 24 | 18 | — | — | 24 | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter and transfer pricing positions: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | — | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 234 | 232 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | — | — | (3) | (2) | — | — | (41) | (31) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision(5) | — | — | — | 2 | — | — | — | 54 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | — | — | — | — | 8 | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Included in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations.
(2)Included in other operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations.
(3)Included in equity in (losses) earnings of operating affiliate in our consolidated statements of operations.
(4)Included in other non-operating—net in our consolidated statements of operations.
(5)For the three months ended September 30, 2022, the after-tax income tax provision amount of $2 million reflects the $3 million of income tax provision referenced below under “Transfer pricing positions,” net of $1 million of income tax provision that is reflected in the after-tax interest income amount shown in this table. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the after-tax income tax provision amount of $54 million reflects an income tax provision of $62 million, consisting of the $78 million income tax provision referenced below under “Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter” and the $16 million of income tax benefit referenced below under “Transfer pricing positions,” net of $8 million of income tax provision that is reflected in the after-tax interest expense and interest income amounts shown in this table.
Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives
Natural gas is the largest and most volatile single component of the manufacturing cost for our nitrogen-based products. At certain times, we have managed the risk of changes in natural gas prices through the use of derivative financial instruments. The derivatives that we use for this purpose are primarily natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and options. We use natural gas derivatives as an economic hedge of natural gas price risk, but without the application of hedge accounting. This can result in volatility in reported earnings due to the unrealized mark-to-market adjustments that occur from changes in the value of the derivatives, which are reflected in cost of sales in our consolidated statements of operations. In the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we recognized unrealized net mark-to-market losses of $7 million and $11 million, respectively. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we recognized unrealized net mark-to-market gains of $65 million and $39 million, respectively.
Loss on foreign currency transactions, including intercompany loans
In the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we recognized losses on foreign currency transactions of $7 million and $27 million, respectively. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we recognized losses on foreign currency transactions of $5 million and $38 million, respectively. Loss on foreign currency transactions consists of foreign currency exchange rate impacts on foreign currency denominated transactions, including the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany loans that are not permanently invested.
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U.K. operations
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized total charges of $5 million and $7 million, respectively, consisting primarily of the recognition of an asset retirement obligation and post-employment benefits related to contractual and statutory obligations due to employees as a result of our approved plan to permanently close the Billingham ammonia plant.
In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized total charges of $95 million and $257 million, respectively, consisting primarily of asset impairment charges related to property, plant and equipment at our Billingham and Ince facilities and definite-lived intangible assets. See Note 5—United Kingdom Operations Restructuring for additional information.
Transaction costs related to acquisition agreement
On March 20, 2023, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with DNLA and IPL to acquire DNLA’s ammonia production complex located in Waggaman, Louisiana, as described above under “Agreement to Purchase Ammonia Production Facility.” In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we incurred $11 million and $27 million, respectively, of transaction costs related to the acquisition agreement.
Impairment of equity method investment in PLNL
PLNL, our joint venture in Trinidad, operates an ammonia plant that relies on natural gas supplied, under a gas sales contract (the NGC Contract), by The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC). The NGC Contract had an expiration date of September 2023. In the third quarter of 2023, PLNL entered into a new gas sales contract with NGC (the New NGC Contract), which is effective October 2023 through December 2025.
In the third quarter of 2023 and due to the terms of the New NGC Contract, we assessed our investment in PLNL for impairment and determined that the carrying value of our equity method investment in PLNL exceeded its fair value. As a result, we recorded an impairment of our equity method investment in PLNL of $43 million, which is reflected in equity in (losses) earnings of operating affiliate on our consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
Pension settlement loss
On July 15, 2022, we entered into an agreement with an insurance company to purchase a non-participating group annuity contract and transfer approximately $375 million of our primary U.S. defined benefit pension plan’s projected benefit obligation. The transaction closed on July 22, 2022 and was funded with plan assets. Under the transaction, the insurance company assumed responsibility for pension benefits and annuity administration for approximately 4,000 retirees or their beneficiaries. As a result of this transaction, in the third quarter of 2022, we remeasured the plan's projected benefit obligation and plan assets and recognized a non-cash pre-tax pension settlement loss of $24 million, reflecting the unamortized net unrecognized postretirement benefit costs related to the settled obligations, with a corresponding offset to accumulated other comprehensive loss.
Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter
In 2016, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Alberta Tax and Revenue Administration (Alberta TRA) issued Notices of Reassessment for tax years 2006 through 2009 to one of our Canadian affiliates asserting a disallowance of certain patronage deductions. We filed Notices of Objection with respect to the Notices of Reassessment with the CRA and Alberta TRA and posted letters of credit in lieu of paying the additional tax liability assessed. The letters of credit served as security until the matter was resolved. In 2018, the matter, including the related transfer pricing topic regarding the allocation of profits between Canada and the United States, was accepted for consideration under the bilateral settlement provisions of the U.S.-Canada tax treaty (the Treaty) by the United States and Canadian competent authorities, and included tax years 2006 through 2011. In the second quarter of 2021, the Company submitted the transfer pricing aspect of the matter into the arbitration process under the terms of the Treaty.
In February 2022, we were informed that a decision was reached by the arbitration panel for tax years 2006 through 2011. In March 2022, we received further details of the results of the arbitration proceedings and the settlement provisions between the United States and Canadian competent authorities, and we accepted the decision of the arbitration panel. Under the terms of the arbitration decision, additional income for tax years 2006 through 2011 was subject to tax in Canada, resulting in our having additional Canadian tax liability for those tax years. See Note 9—Income Taxes for additional information.
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In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, as a result of the impact of these events on our Canadian and U.S. federal and state income taxes, we recognized an income tax provision of $78 million, reflecting the net impact of $129 million of accrued income taxes payable to Canada for tax years 2006 through 2011, partially offset by net income tax receivables of approximately $51 million in the United States, and we accrued net interest of $103 million, primarily reflecting the impact of estimated interest payable to Canada.
Of the $78 million of income tax provision and $103 million of net interest expense recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, a reduction of $1 million of net interest expense was recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Transfer pricing positions
As a result of the outcome of the arbitration decision discussed above, we also evaluated our transfer pricing positions between Canada and the United States for open years 2012 and after. Based on this evaluation, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we recorded the following:
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liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $314 million, with a corresponding income tax provision, and accrued interest of approximately $123 million related to the liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits, and
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noncurrent income tax receivables of approximately $359 million, with a corresponding income tax benefit, and accrued interest income of approximately $33 million related to the noncurrent income tax receivables.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the impact on our consolidated statement of operations of the amounts recorded as a result of this evaluation of transfer pricing positions, including $29 million of net deferred income tax provision for other transfer pricing tax effects, was $16 million of income tax benefit and $90 million of net interest expense before tax ($98 million after tax).
Of the $16 million of income tax benefit and $90 million of net interest expense recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, $3 million of income tax provision and $4 million of net interest expense ($5 million after tax) was recognized in the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Loss on debt extinguishment
On April 21, 2022, we redeemed in full all of the $500 million outstanding principal amount of the 3.450% senior notes due June 2023 (the 2023 Notes) in accordance with the optional redemption provisions in the indenture governing the 2023 Notes. The total aggregate redemption price paid in connection with the April 2022 redemption of the 2023 Notes was $513 million, including accrued interest. As a result, we recognized a loss on debt extinguishment of $8 million, consisting primarily of the premium paid on the redemption of the $500 million principal amount of the 2023 Notes prior to their scheduled maturity.
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Consolidated Results of Operations
The following table presents our consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions, except per share and per MMBtu amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,273 | $ | 2,321 | $ | (1,048) | (45) | % | $ | 5,060 | $ | 8,578 | $ | (3,518) | (41) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 896 | 1,405 | (509) | (36) | % | 3,016 | 3,973 | (957) | (24) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | 377 | 916 | (539) | (59) | % | 2,044 | 4,605 | (2,561) | (56) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 29.6 | % | 39.5 | % | (9.9) | % | 40.4 | % | 53.7 | % | (13.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 68 | 66 | 2 | 3 | % | 213 | 203 | 10 | 5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.K. long-lived and intangible asset impairment | — | 87 | (87) | (100) | % | — | 239 | (239) | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| U.K. operations restructuring | 5 | 8 | (3) | (38) | % | 7 | 18 | (11) | (61) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction costs | 11 | — | 11 | N/M | 27 | — | 27 | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other operating—net | 13 | 25 | (12) | (48) | % | (19) | 33 | (52) | N/M | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total other operating costs and expenses | 97 | 186 | (89) | (48) | % | 228 | 493 | (265) | (54) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in (losses) earnings of operating affiliate | (36) | 20 | (56) | N/M | (12) | 74 | (86) | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating earnings | 244 | 750 | (506) | (67) | % | 1,804 | 4,186 | (2,382) | (57) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense | 39 | 46 | (7) | (15) | % | 115 | 369 | (254) | (69) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | (45) | (12) | (33) | (275) | % | (115) | (56) | (59) | (105) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on debt extinguishment | — | — | — | — | % | — | 8 | (8) | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other non-operating—net | (3) | 23 | (26) | N/M | (8) | 24 | (32) | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Earnings before income taxes | 253 | 693 | (440) | (63) | % | 1,812 | 3,841 | (2,029) | (53) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax provision | 23 | 155 | (132) | (85) | % | 326 | 913 | (587) | (64) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings | 230 | 538 | (308) | (57) | % | 1,486 | 2,928 | (1,442) | (49) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest | 66 | 100 | (34) | (34) | % | 235 | 442 | (207) | (47) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net earnings attributable to common stockholders | $ | 164 | $ | 438 | $ | (274) | (63) | % | $ | 1,251 | $ | 2,486 | $ | (1,235) | (50) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders | $ | 0.85 | $ | 2.18 | $ | (1.33) | (61) | % | $ | 6.42 | $ | 12.04 | $ | (5.62) | (47) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding | 192.9 | 200.9 | (8.0) | (4) | % | 194.9 | 206.5 | (11.6) | (6) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.40 | $ | 0.40 | $ | — | — | % | $ | 1.20 | $ | 1.10 | $ | 0.10 | 9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
N/M—Not Meaningful
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
The following table presents certain supplemental data for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions, except per MMBtu amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Natural gas supplemental data (per MMBtu) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Natural gas costs in cost of sales(1) | $ | 2.53 | $ | 8.50 | $ | (5.97) | (70) | % | $ | 3.43 | $ | 7.36 | $ | (3.93) | (53) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realized derivatives loss (gain) in cost of sales(2) | 0.01 | (0.15) | 0.16 | N/M | 0.47 | (0.08) | 0.55 | N/M | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of natural gas used for production in cost of sales | $ | 2.54 | $ | 8.35 | $ | (5.81) | (70) | % | $ | 3.90 | $ | 7.28 | $ | (3.38) | (46) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average daily market price of natural gas Henry Hub (Louisiana) | $ | 2.58 | $ | 7.96 | $ | (5.38) | (68) | % | $ | 2.46 | $ | 6.66 | $ | (4.20) | (63) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives | $ | 7 | $ | 11 | $ | (4) | (36) | % | $ | (65) | $ | (39) | $ | (26) | (67) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 213 | $ | 221 | $ | (8) | (4) | % | $ | 640 | $ | 652 | $ | (12) | (2) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | $ | 147 | $ | 190 | $ | (43) | (23) | % | $ | 311 | $ | 319 | $ | (8) | (3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 4,745 | 4,408 | 337 | 8 | % | 14,218 | 13,867 | 351 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Production volume by product tons (000s): | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ammonia(3) | 2,238 | 2,283 | (45) | (2) | % | 6,971 | 7,366 | (395) | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Granular urea | 1,081 | 1,187 | (106) | (9) | % | 3,414 | 3,418 | (4) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UAN (32%) | 1,749 | 1,381 | 368 | 27 | % | 5,012 | 4,879 | 133 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| AN | 416 | 358 | 58 | 16 | % | 1,104 | 1,162 | (58) | (5) | % |
N/M—Not Meaningful
(1)Includes the cost of natural gas used for production and related transportation that is included in cost of sales during the period under the first-in, first-out inventory cost method.
(2)Includes realized gains and losses on natural gas derivatives settled during the period. Excludes unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses on natural gas derivatives.
(3)Gross ammonia production, including amounts subsequently upgraded on-site into granular urea, UAN, or AN.
Third Quarter of 2023 Compared to Third Quarter of 2022
Net Sales
Our total net sales decreased $1.05 billion, or 45%, to $1.27 billion in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $2.32 billion in the third quarter of 2022 due primarily to a decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by an increase in sales volume.
Our average selling price was $268 per ton in the third quarter of 2023, or 49% lower compared to $527 per ton in the third quarter of 2022, due to lower average selling prices across all of our segments. The impact of lower average selling prices was a decrease in net sales of approximately $1.22 billion for the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in average selling prices reflects the impact of an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates.
Our total sales volume of 4.7 million product tons in the third quarter of 2023 was 8% higher compared to 4.4 million product tons in the third quarter of 2022 due primarily to higher sales volume in our UAN, Ammonia, and Other segments, partially offset by lower sales volume in our Granular Urea segment.
Gross ammonia production for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was 2.2 million tons and 7.0 million tons, respectively. We expect gross ammonia production for 2023 will be in a range of 9.0 million to 9.5 million tons as we have an approved plan to permanently close the ammonia plant at our Billingham, U.K. complex.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Cost of Sales
Our total cost of sales decreased $509 million, or 36%, to $896 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $1.41 billion in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in our cost of sales was due primarily to lower costs for natural gas, including the impact of realized derivatives, which decreased cost of sales by $496 million, and lower costs for ammonia purchased from PLNL, our joint venture in Trinidad. Lower natural gas costs include the benefit of no longer purchasing natural gas in the United Kingdom for ammonia production. The decrease in our cost of sales from lower natural gas costs was partially offset by the cost to import ammonia in the third quarter of 2023 for our U.K. operations.
Cost of sales averaged $189 per ton in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $319 per ton in the third quarter of 2022. Our cost of natural gas decreased 70% to $2.54 per MMBtu in the third quarter of 2023 from $8.35 per MMBtu in the third quarter of 2022.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses were $68 million in the third quarter of 2023, a 3% increase from $66 million in the third quarter of 2022.
U.K. Operations
In the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized total charges of $5 million, consisting primarily of the recognition of an asset retirement obligation and post-employment benefits related to contractual and statutory obligations due to employees as a result of our approved plan to permanently close the Billingham ammonia plant.
In the three months ended September 30, 2022, we recognized total charges of $95 million consisting of $87 million of asset impairment charges primarily related to property, plant and equipment at our Billingham, U.K. facility and definite-lived intangible assets and $8 million of restructuring charges primarily related to one-time termination benefits. See Note 5—United Kingdom Operations Restructuring for additional information.
Transaction Costs
On March 20, 2023, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with DNLA and IPL to acquire DNLA’s ammonia production complex located in Waggaman, Louisiana, as described above under “Agreement to Purchase Ammonia Production Facility.” In the three months ended September 30, 2023, we incurred $11 million of transaction costs related to the acquisition agreement.
Other Operating—Net
Other operating—net was $13 million of expense in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $25 million of expense in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease of $12 million in other operating—net was due primarily to a loss on foreign currency transactions of $7 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $27 million in the third quarter of 2022. Loss on foreign currency transactions consists of foreign currency exchange rate impacts on foreign currency denominated transactions, including the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany loans that are not permanently invested.
Equity in (Losses) Earnings of Operating Affiliate
Equity in (losses) earnings of operating affiliate was $36 million of losses in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $20 million of earnings in the third quarter of 2022. The $36 million of losses in the third quarter of 2023 includes an impairment of our equity method investment in PLNL of $43 million. See “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Impairment of equity method investment in PLNL,” above, for further discussion. Lower equity in earnings of operating affiliate also reflects a decrease in the operating results of PLNL as a result of lower ammonia selling prices, partially offset by lower natural gas costs.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $39 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $46 million in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease of $7 million was due primarily to $6 million of tax-related interest expense recorded in the third quarter of 2022 that did not recur in the third quarter of 2023 and was related to income tax matters described under “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter” and “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Transfer pricing positions,” above.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Interest Income
Interest income was $45 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $12 million in the third quarter of 2022. The increase of $33 million reflects higher interest income on short-term investments due primarily to higher interest rates. Short-term investments are included in cash and cash equivalents in our consolidated balance sheet.
Other Non-Operating—Net
Other non-operating—net was $3 million of income in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $23 million of expense in the third quarter of 2022. The $23 million of expense in the third quarter of 2022 was due primarily to a pension settlement loss of $24 million related to the purchase of a non-participating group annuity contract to settle retiree obligations under our primary U.S. defined benefit pension plan, which is more fully described under “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Pension settlement loss,” above.
Income Taxes
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded an income tax provision of $23 million on pre-tax income of $253 million, or an effective tax rate of 9.1%, compared to an income tax provision of $155 million on pre-tax income of $693 million, or an effective tax rate of 22.3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2022. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, our income tax provision includes a $9 million income tax benefit arising from the finalization of tax return filing positions and adjustments to accrued withholding taxes as a result of changes reflected on our filed U.S. federal return. This income tax benefit in relation to pre-tax income of $253 million contributed to a lower effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the U.S. statutory rate of 21%.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022, our income tax provision includes $18 million of income tax expense to record a valuation allowance in the United Kingdom due to the uncertainty surrounding the realization of the deferred tax assets as a result of the impairment described in Note 5—United Kingdom Operations Restructuring.
Our effective tax rate is impacted by earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest in CFN, as our consolidated income tax provision does not include a tax provision on the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2023 of 9.1%, which is based on pre-tax income of $253 million, including $66 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.2 percentage points higher, or 12.3%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest of $66 million. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2022 of 22.3%, which is based on pre-tax income of $693 million, including $100 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.7 percentage points higher, or 26.0%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the $100 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. See Note 14—Noncontrolling Interest for additional information.
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest decreased $34 million to $66 million in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $100 million in the third quarter of 2022 due to lower earnings of CFN driven by lower average selling prices as described above under “Net Sales.”
Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders decreased $1.33 to $0.85 per share in the third quarter of 2023 from $2.18 per share in the third quarter of 2022. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in gross margin, driven by lower average selling prices, partially offset by lower natural gas costs. Lower gross margin was partially offset by a decrease in the income tax provision resulting from lower profitability and pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges related to our U.K. operations of $95 million in the third quarter of 2022 compared to $5 million in the third quarter of 2023. Additionally, diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding declined 4% from 200.9 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2022 to 192.9 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2023, due primarily to repurchases of common shares under our share repurchase programs.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net Sales
Our total net sales decreased $3.52 billion, or 41%, to $5.06 billion in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $8.58 billion in the first nine months of 2022 due primarily to a 42% decrease in average selling prices.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Our average selling price was $356 per ton in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $619 per ton in the first nine months of 2022, due to lower average selling prices across all of our segments, primarily driven by an increase in global supply availability due to higher global inventories entering 2023 and lower global energy costs, which drove higher global operating rates. The impact of lower average selling prices was a decrease in net sales of approximately $3.68 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Cost of Sales
Our total cost of sales decreased $957 million, or 24%, to $3.02 billion in the first nine months of 2023 from $3.97 billion in the first nine months of 2022. The decrease in our cost of sales was due primarily to lower costs for natural gas, including the impact of realized derivatives, which decreased cost of sales by $828 million, and lower costs for ammonia purchased from PLNL, our joint venture in Trinidad. Lower natural gas costs include the benefit of no longer purchasing natural gas in the United Kingdom for ammonia production. The decrease in our cost of sales from lower natural gas costs was partially offset by the cost to import ammonia in the first nine months of 2023 for our U.K. operations.
Cost of sales also includes the impact of a $65 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the first nine months of 2023 compared to a $39 million gain in the first nine months of 2022.
Cost of sales averaged $212 per ton in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $287 per ton in the first nine months of 2022. Our cost of natural gas decreased 46% to $3.90 per MMBtu in the first nine months of 2023 from $7.28 per MMBtu in the first nine months of 2022.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10 million to $213 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $203 million in the first nine months of 2022. The increase was due primarily to higher costs related to certain corporate initiatives, including higher amortization due to our recently implemented enterprise resource planning (ERP) system.
U.K. Operations
In the first nine months of 2023, we recognized total charges of $7 million, consisting primarily of the recognition of an asset retirement obligation and post-employment benefits related to contractual and statutory obligations due to employees as a result of our approved plan to permanently close the Billingham ammonia plant in the third quarter of 2023.
In the first nine months of 2022, we recognized total charges of $257 million, consisting of $239 million of asset impairment charges primarily related to property, plant and equipment at our Billingham and Ince facilities and $18 million of restructuring charges primarily related to post-employment benefits related to contractual and statutory obligations and one-time termination benefits. See Note 5—United Kingdom Operations Restructuring for additional information.
Transaction Costs
On March 20, 2023, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with DNLA and IPL to acquire DNLA’s ammonia production complex located in Waggaman, Louisiana, as described above under “Agreement to Purchase Ammonia Production Facility.” In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we incurred $27 million of transaction costs related to the acquisition agreement.
Other Operating—Net
Other operating—net was $19 million of income in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $33 million of expense in the first nine months of 2022. The $19 million of income in the first nine months of 2023 consists primarily of gains on the sales of emission credits, partially offset by FEED study costs for our proposed plans to construct an export-oriented blue ammonia facility with Mitsui, and a loss on foreign currency transactions of $5 million. See “Our Commitment to a Clean Energy Economy,” above, for additional information related to our proposed joint venture with Mitsui.
The $33 million of expense in the first nine months of 2022 consists primarily of a loss on foreign currency transactions of $38 million. Loss on foreign currency transactions consists of foreign currency exchange rate impacts on foreign currency denominated transactions, including the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany loans that are not permanently invested.
Equity in (Losses) Earnings of Operating Affiliate
Equity in (losses) earnings of operating affiliate was $12 million of losses in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $74 million of earnings in the first nine months of 2022. The $12 million of losses in the first nine months of 2023 includes an
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
impairment of our equity method investment in PLNL of $43 million recognized in the third quarter of 2023. See “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Impairment of equity method investment in PLNL,” above, for further discussion. Lower equity in earnings of operating affiliate also reflects a decrease in the operating results of PLNL as a result of lower ammonia selling prices, partially offset by lower natural gas costs.
Interest Expense
Interest expense was $115 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $369 million in the first nine months of 2022. The decrease of $254 million was due primarily to $246 million of tax-related interest expense recorded in the first nine months of 2022, including $234 million of interest expense related to income tax matters described under “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter” and “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Transfer pricing positions,” above. In addition, the decrease in interest expense was due to lower interest expense on borrowings due to the redemption of $500 million principal amount of the 2023 Notes in April 2022 prior to their scheduled maturity.
Interest Income
Interest income was $115 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $56 million in the first nine months of 2022. The increase of $59 million reflects an $84 million increase in interest income on short-term investments in the first nine months of 2023 due primarily to higher interest rates. Partially offsetting this was interest income recorded in the first nine months of 2022 that did not recur in the first nine months of 2023, which was related to income tax matters described under “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter” and “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Transfer pricing positions,” above.
Loss on Debt Extinguishment
Loss on debt extinguishment of $8 million in the first nine months of 2022 is described under “Items Affecting Comparability of Results—Loss on debt extinguishment,” above.
Income Taxes
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded an income tax provision of $326 million on pre-tax income of $1.81 billion, or an effective tax rate of 18.0%, compared to an income tax provision of $913 million on pre-tax income of $3.84 billion, or an effective tax rate of 23.8%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Our effective tax rate is impacted by earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest in CFN, as our consolidated income tax provision does not include a tax provision on the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 of 18.0%, which is based on pre-tax income of $1.81 billion, including $235 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 2.7 percentage points higher, or 20.7%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest of $235 million. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 of 23.8%, which is based on pre-tax income of $3.84 billion, including $442 million of earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest, would be 3.1 percentage points higher, or 26.9%, if based on pre-tax income exclusive of the earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interest of $442 million.
In addition, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, our income tax provision includes $18 million of income tax expense to record a valuation allowance in the United Kingdom, $22 million of income tax benefit due to share-based compensation activity and $78 million of income tax provision related to the Canada Revenue Agency Competent Authority Matter, which is described above under “Items Affecting Comparability of Results.”
Net Earnings Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interest decreased $207 million to $235 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $442 million in the first nine months of 2022 due to lower earnings of CFN driven by lower average selling prices as described above under “Net Sales.”
Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders
Diluted net earnings per share attributable to common stockholders decreased $5.62 to $6.42 per share in the first nine months of 2023 from $12.04 per share in the first nine months of 2022. This decrease was due primarily to a decrease in gross margin, driven by lower average selling prices, partially offset by lower costs for natural gas. Lower gross margin was partially offset by a decrease in the income tax provision resulting from lower profitability, a decrease in interest expense due primarily to interest expense on tax liabilities in the first nine months of 2022 related to Canadian-U.S. transfer pricing matters that did
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
not recur in the first nine months of 2023, and pre-tax impairment and restructuring charges related to our U.K. operations of $257 million in the first nine months of 2022 compared to $7 million in the first nine months of 2023. Additionally, diluted weighted-average common shares outstanding declined 6% from 206.5 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 to 194.9 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, due primarily to repurchases of common shares under our share repurchase programs.
Operating Results by Business Segment
Our reportable segments consist of Ammonia, Granular Urea, UAN, AN and Other. These segments are differentiated by products. Our management uses gross margin to evaluate segment performance and allocate resources. Total other operating costs and expenses (consisting primarily of selling, general and administrative expenses and other operating—net) and non-operating expenses (consisting primarily of interest and income taxes), are centrally managed and are not included in the measurement of segment profitability reviewed by management. The following table presents summary operating results by business segment:
| Ammonia | Granular Urea**(1)** | UAN**(1)** | AN**(1)** | Other**(1)** | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 235 | $ | 360 | $ | 435 | $ | 114 | $ | 129 | $ | 1,273 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 214 | 226 | 302 | 79 | 75 | 896 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 21 | $ | 134 | $ | 133 | $ | 35 | $ | 54 | $ | 377 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 8.9 | % | 37.2 | % | 30.6 | % | 30.7 | % | 41.9 | % | 29.6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 531 | $ | 689 | $ | 736 | $ | 180 | $ | 185 | $ | 2,321 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 353 | 394 | 414 | 136 | 108 | 1,405 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 178 | $ | 295 | $ | 322 | $ | 44 | $ | 77 | $ | 916 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 33.5 | % | 42.8 | % | 43.8 | % | 24.4 | % | 41.6 | % | 39.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,184 | $ | 1,431 | $ | 1,650 | $ | 377 | $ | 418 | $ | 5,060 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 797 | 775 | 937 | 264 | 243 | 3,016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 387 | $ | 656 | $ | 713 | $ | 113 | $ | 175 | $ | 2,044 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 32.7 | % | 45.8 | % | 43.2 | % | 30.0 | % | 41.9 | % | 40.4 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine months ended September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 2,286 | $ | 2,287 | $ | 2,727 | $ | 656 | $ | 622 | $ | 8,578 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 1,075 | 1,024 | 1,102 | 458 | 314 | 3,973 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 1,211 | $ | 1,263 | $ | 1,625 | $ | 198 | $ | 308 | $ | 4,605 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 53.0 | % | 55.2 | % | 59.6 | % | 30.2 | % | 49.5 | % | 53.7 | % |
(1)The cost of the products that are upgraded into other products is transferred at cost into the upgraded product results.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Ammonia Segment
Our Ammonia segment produces anhydrous ammonia (ammonia), which is the base product that we manufacture, containing 82% nitrogen and 18% hydrogen. The results of our Ammonia segment consist of sales of ammonia to external customers for its nitrogen content as a fertilizer, in emissions control and in other industrial applications. In addition, we upgrade ammonia into other nitrogen products such as granular urea, UAN and AN.
The following table presents summary operating data for our Ammonia segment:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 235 | $ | 531 | $ | (296) | (56) | % | $ | 1,184 | $ | 2,286 | $ | (1,102) | (48) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 214 | 353 | (139) | (39) | % | 797 | 1,075 | (278) | (26) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 21 | $ | 178 | $ | (157) | (88) | % | $ | 387 | $ | 1,211 | $ | (824) | (68) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 8.9 | % | 33.5 | % | (24.6) | % | 32.7 | % | 53.0 | % | (20.3) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 764 | 643 | 121 | 19 | % | 2,469 | 2,405 | 64 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 627 | 528 | 99 | 19 | % | 2,025 | 1,973 | 52 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per product ton | $ | 308 | $ | 826 | $ | (518) | (63) | % | $ | 480 | $ | 951 | $ | (471) | (50) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 375 | $ | 1,006 | $ | (631) | (63) | % | $ | 585 | $ | 1,159 | $ | (574) | (50) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per product ton | $ | 27 | $ | 277 | $ | (250) | (90) | % | $ | 157 | $ | 504 | $ | (347) | (69) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 33 | $ | 337 | $ | (304) | (90) | % | $ | 191 | $ | 614 | $ | (423) | (69) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 39 | $ | 35 | $ | 4 | 11 | % | $ | 117 | $ | 119 | $ | (2) | (2) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives | $ | 2 | $ | 4 | $ | (2) | 50 | % | $ | (19) | $ | (6) | $ | (13) | (217) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Ammonia represents 82% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2023 Compared to Third Quarter of 2022
Net Sales. Net sales in our Ammonia segment decreased by $296 million, or 56%, to $235 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $531 million in the third quarter of 2022 due to a 63% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 19% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $308 per ton in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $826 per ton in the third quarter of 2022 due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. The increase in sales volume was due primarily to higher supply availability resulting from higher beginning inventory.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Ammonia segment averaged $281 per ton in the third quarter of 2023, a 49% decrease from $549 per ton in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, a lower cost per ton for ammonia purchased from PLNL, our joint venture in Trinidad, and lower manufacturing and maintenance costs.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Ammonia segment decreased by $157 million to $21 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $178 million in the third quarter of 2022, and our gross margin percentage was 8.9% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to 33.5% in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 63% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $391 million. This decrease in gross margin was partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $121 million, a net decrease in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased gross margin by $57 million, and an increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $54 million. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2023 also includes the impact of a $2 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives compared to a $4 million loss in the third quarter of 2022.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net Sales. Net sales in our Ammonia segment decreased by $1.10 billion, or 48%, to $1.18 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $2.29 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due to a 50% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 3% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $480 per ton in the nine
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $951 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Ammonia segment averaged $323 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, a 28% decrease from $447 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, and a lower cost per ton for ammonia purchased from PLNL, our joint venture in Trinidad.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Ammonia segment decreased by $824 million to $387 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $1.21 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and our gross margin percentage was 32.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 53.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 50% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $1.14 billion, and the impact of changes in sales volume and mix, which decreased gross margin by $37 million. These factors that decreased gross margin were partially offset by a net decrease in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased gross margin by $183 million, and a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $157 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of a $19 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to a $6 million gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Granular Urea Segment
Our Granular Urea segment produces granular urea, which contains 46% nitrogen. Produced from ammonia and carbon dioxide, it has the highest nitrogen content of any of our solid nitrogen fertilizers. Granular urea is produced at our Donaldsonville, Port Neal and Medicine Hat complexes.
The following table presents summary operating data for our Granular Urea segment:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 360 | $ | 689 | $ | (329) | (48) | % | $ | 1,431 | $ | 2,287 | $ | (856) | (37) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 226 | 394 | (168) | (43) | % | 775 | 1,024 | (249) | (24) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 134 | $ | 295 | $ | (161) | (55) | % | $ | 656 | $ | 1,263 | $ | (607) | (48) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 37.2 | % | 42.8 | % | (5.6) | % | 45.8 | % | 55.2 | % | (9.4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 1,062 | 1,262 | (200) | (16) | % | 3,532 | 3,539 | (7) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 488 | 580 | (92) | (16) | % | 1,625 | 1,628 | (3) | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per product ton | $ | 339 | $ | 546 | $ | (207) | (38) | % | $ | 405 | $ | 646 | $ | (241) | (37) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 738 | $ | 1,188 | $ | (450) | (38) | % | $ | 881 | $ | 1,405 | $ | (524) | (37) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per product ton | $ | 126 | $ | 234 | $ | (108) | (46) | % | $ | 186 | $ | 357 | $ | (171) | (48) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 275 | $ | 509 | $ | (234) | (46) | % | $ | 404 | $ | 776 | $ | (372) | (48) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 66 | $ | 79 | $ | (13) | (16) | % | $ | 216 | $ | 213 | $ | 3 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives | $ | 2 | $ | 4 | $ | (2) | (50) | % | $ | (18) | $ | (4) | $ | (14) | (350) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Granular urea represents 46% nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2023 Compared to Third Quarter of 2022
Net Sales. Net sales in our Granular Urea segment decreased $329 million, or 48%, to $360 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $689 million in the third quarter of 2022 due primarily to a 38% decrease in average selling prices and a 16% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $339 per ton in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $546 per ton in the third quarter of 2022, due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates and new global production came on line. Sales volume was lower due primarily to lower supply availability resulting from lower production and lower beginning inventory.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Granular Urea segment averaged $213 per ton in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $312 per ton in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Granular Urea segment decreased by $161 million to $134 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $295 million in the third quarter of 2022, and our gross margin percentage was 37.2% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to 42.8% in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 38% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $217 million, a 16% decrease in sales volume, which decreased gross margin by $54 million, and a net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which decreased gross margin by $4 million. These factors that decreased gross margin were partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $112 million. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2023 also includes the impact of a $2 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives compared to a $4 million loss in the third quarter of 2022.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net Sales. Net sales in our Granular Urea segment decreased $856 million, or 37%, to $1.43 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $2.29 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due primarily to a 37% decrease in average selling prices. Average selling prices decreased to $405 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $646 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates and new global production came on line.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Granular Urea segment averaged $219 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $289 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was due primarily to lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Granular Urea segment decreased by $607 million to $656 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $1.26 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and our gross margin percentage was 45.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 55.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 37% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $890 million. The decrease in average selling prices was partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $199 million, the impact of changes in sales volume and mix, which increased gross margin by $65 million, and a net decrease in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased gross margin by $5 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of an $18 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to a $4 million gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
UAN Segment
Our UAN segment produces urea ammonium nitrate solution (UAN). UAN, a liquid fertilizer product with a nitrogen content that typically ranges from 28% to 32%, is produced by combining urea and ammonium nitrate. UAN is produced at our Courtright, Donaldsonville, Port Neal, Verdigris, Woodward and Yazoo City complexes.
The following table presents summary operating data for our UAN segment:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 435 | $ | 736 | $ | (301) | (41) | % | $ | 1,650 | $ | 2,727 | $ | (1,077) | (39) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 302 | 414 | (112) | (27) | % | 937 | 1,102 | (165) | (15) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 133 | $ | 322 | $ | (189) | (59) | % | $ | 713 | $ | 1,625 | $ | (912) | (56) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 30.6 | % | 43.8 | % | (13.2) | % | 43.2 | % | 59.6 | % | (16.4) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 1,954 | 1,644 | 310 | 19 | % | 5,425 | 5,098 | 327 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 616 | 519 | 97 | 19 | % | 1,710 | 1,610 | 100 | 6 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per product ton | $ | 223 | $ | 448 | $ | (225) | (50) | % | $ | 304 | $ | 535 | $ | (231) | (43) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 706 | $ | 1,418 | $ | (712) | (50) | % | $ | 965 | $ | 1,694 | $ | (729) | (43) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per product ton | $ | 68 | $ | 196 | $ | (128) | (65) | % | $ | 131 | $ | 319 | $ | (188) | (59) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 216 | $ | 620 | $ | (404) | (65) | % | $ | 417 | $ | 1,009 | $ | (592) | (59) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 78 | $ | 73 | $ | 5 | 7 | % | $ | 214 | $ | 208 | $ | 6 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized net mark-to-market loss (gain) on natural gas derivatives | $ | 3 | $ | 4 | $ | (1) | (25) | % | $ | (18) | $ | (4) | $ | (14) | (350) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)UAN represents between 28% and 32% of nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2023 Compared to Third Quarter of 2022
Net Sales. Net sales in our UAN segment decreased $301 million, or 41%, to $435 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $736 million in the third quarter of 2022 due to a 50% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 19% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $223 per ton in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $448 per ton in the third quarter of 2022 due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. The increase in sales volume was due primarily to higher supply availability resulting from higher production.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our UAN segment averaged $155 per ton in the third quarter of 2023, a 38% decrease from $252 per ton in the third quarter of 2022, due primarily to the impact of lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, and lower manufacturing and maintenance costs.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our UAN segment decreased by $189 million to $133 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $322 million in the third quarter of 2022, and our gross margin percentage was 30.6% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to 43.8% in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 50% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $446 million. This decrease in gross margin was partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $142 million, a 19% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $84 million, and a net decrease in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased gross margin by $30 million. Gross margin in the third quarter of 2023 also includes the impact of a $3 million unrealized net mark-to-market loss on natural gas derivatives compared to a $4 million loss in the third quarter of 2022.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net Sales. Net sales in our UAN segment decreased $1.08 billion, or 39%, to $1.65 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $2.73 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due primarily to a 43% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 6% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $304 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $535 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates and an increase in
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Russian imports into the United States. The increase in sales volume was due primarily to higher supply availability resulting from higher production.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our UAN segment averaged $173 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, a 20% decrease from $216 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, due primarily to the impact of lower realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our UAN segment decreased by $912 million to $713 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $1.63 billion in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and our gross margin percentage was 43.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 59.6% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to a 43% decrease in average selling prices, which decreased gross margin by $1.24 billion. This decrease in gross margin was partially offset by a decrease in realized natural gas costs, including the impact of realized derivatives, which increased gross margin by $200 million, a 6% increase in sales volume, which increased gross margin by $101 million, and a net decrease in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, which increased gross margin by $17 million. Gross margin also includes the impact of an $18 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to a $4 million gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
AN Segment
Our AN segment produces ammonium nitrate (AN). AN, which has a nitrogen content between 29% and 35%, is produced by combining anhydrous ammonia and nitric acid. AN is used as nitrogen fertilizer and is also used by industrial customers for commercial explosives and blasting systems. AN is produced at our Yazoo City and Billingham complexes.
The following table presents summary operating data for our AN segment:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 114 | $ | 180 | $ | (66) | (37) | % | $ | 377 | $ | 656 | $ | (279) | (43) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 79 | 136 | (57) | (42) | % | 264 | 458 | (194) | (42) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 35 | $ | 44 | $ | (9) | (20) | % | $ | 113 | $ | 198 | $ | (85) | (43) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 30.7 | % | 24.4 | % | 6.3 | % | 30.0 | % | 30.2 | % | (0.2) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 414 | 363 | 51 | 14 | % | 1,157 | 1,227 | (70) | (6) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 141 | 124 | 17 | 14 | % | 396 | 419 | (23) | (5) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per product ton | $ | 275 | $ | 496 | $ | (221) | (45) | % | $ | 326 | $ | 535 | $ | (209) | (39) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 809 | $ | 1,452 | $ | (643) | (44) | % | $ | 952 | $ | 1,566 | $ | (614) | (39) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per product ton | $ | 85 | $ | 121 | $ | (36) | (30) | % | $ | 98 | $ | 161 | $ | (63) | (39) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 248 | $ | 355 | $ | (107) | (30) | % | $ | 285 | $ | 473 | $ | (188) | (40) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 13 | $ | 14 | $ | (1) | (7) | % | $ | 36 | $ | 48 | $ | (12) | (25) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives | $ | — | $ | (1) | $ | 1 | 100 | % | $ | (3) | $ | (18) | $ | 15 | 83 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)AN represents between 29% and 35% of nitrogen content. Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2023 Compared to Third Quarter of 2022
In September 2022, as a result of extremely high and volatile natural gas prices and the lack of a corresponding increase in global nitrogen product market prices, we idled ammonia production at our Billingham complex. Since that time, we have imported ammonia for upgrade into AN and other nitrogen products at that location, including nitric acid and aqua ammonia, which are included in our Other segment. In the third quarter of 2023, we approved our plan to permanently close the ammonia plant at our Billingham complex.
Net Sales. Net sales in our AN segment decreased $66 million, or 37%, to $114 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $180 million in the third quarter of 2022 due to a 45% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by a 14% increase in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $275 per ton in the third quarter of 2023 compared to $496 per ton in the third quarter of 2022 due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. Sales volume increased due primarily to higher supply availability resulting from higher production.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our AN segment averaged $190 per ton in the third quarter of 2023, a 49% decrease from $375 per ton in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease was due primarily to lower production costs for our Billingham complex in the third quarter of 2023, as purchased ammonia was used for upgrading into AN as compared to the higher-cost natural gas used to produce ammonia to upgrade into AN in the third quarter of 2022. In addition, the decrease in cost of sales per ton reflects lower realized natural gas costs in North America in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our AN segment decreased $9 million to $35 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $44 million in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in gross margin reflects the following:
-
a decrease in average selling prices of 45%, which decreased gross margin by $88 million, partially offset by an increase in sales volume of 14%, which increased gross margin by $5 million;
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a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $77 million, due primarily to the closure of our Billingham ammonia plant, partially offset by a net increase in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs of $2 million, driven by the cost for purchased ammonia for upgrade at our Billingham complex, partially offset by lower production costs; and
-
the impact of a $1 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the third quarter of 2022.
Our gross margin percentage was 30.7% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to 24.4% in the third quarter of 2022. The increase was due primarily to lower production costs for our Billingham complex in the third quarter of 2023 as purchased ammonia was used for upgrading into AN as compared to the higher-cost natural gas used to produce ammonia to upgrade into AN in the third quarter of 2022.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net Sales. Net sales in our AN segment decreased $279 million, or 43%, to $377 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $656 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due to a 39% decrease in average selling prices and a 6% decrease in sales volume. Average selling prices decreased to $326 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $535 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. Sales volume decreased due primarily to lower supply availability resulting from lower production.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our AN segment averaged $228 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, a 39% decrease from $374 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was due primarily to lower production costs for our Billingham complex in the first nine months of 2023, as purchased ammonia was used for upgrading into AN as compared to the higher-cost natural gas used to produce ammonia to upgrade into AN in the first nine months of 2022. In addition, the decrease in cost of sales per ton reflects lower realized natural gas costs in North America in the first nine months of 2023 compared to the first nine months of 2022.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our AN segment decreased $85 million to $113 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $198 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and our gross margin percentage was 30.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 30.2% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross margin reflects the following:
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a decrease in average selling prices of 39%, which decreased gross margin by $198 million, and a decrease in sales volume of 6%, which decreased gross margin by $20 million;
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a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $183 million, due primarily to the closure of our Billingham ammonia plant, partially offset by a net increase of $35 million in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, driven by the cost for purchased ammonia for upgrade at our Billingham complex, partially offset by lower production costs; and
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the impact of a $3 million unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to an $18 million gain in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Other Segment
Our Other segment primarily includes the following products:
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diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), an aqueous urea solution typically made with 32.5% or 50% high-purity urea and the remainder deionized water;
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urea liquor, a liquid product that we sell in concentrations of 40%, 50% and 70% urea as a chemical intermediate; and
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nitric acid, a nitrogen-based mineral acid that is used in the production of nitrate-based fertilizers, nylon precursors and other specialty chemicals.
The following table presents summary operating data for our Other segment:
| Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 v. 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions, except per ton amounts) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 129 | $ | 185 | $ | (56) | (30) | % | $ | 418 | $ | 622 | $ | (204) | (33) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 75 | 108 | (33) | (31) | % | 243 | 314 | (71) | (23) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin | $ | 54 | $ | 77 | $ | (23) | (30) | % | $ | 175 | $ | 308 | $ | (133) | (43) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin percentage | 41.9 | % | 41.6 | % | 0.3 | % | 41.9 | % | 49.5 | % | (7.6) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by product tons (000s) | 551 | 496 | 55 | 11 | % | 1,635 | 1,598 | 37 | 2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sales volume by nutrient tons (000s)(1) | 108 | 99 | 9 | 9 | % | 321 | 313 | 8 | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per product ton | $ | 234 | $ | 373 | $ | (139) | (37) | % | $ | 256 | $ | 389 | $ | (133) | (34) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Average selling price per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 1,194 | $ | 1,869 | $ | (675) | (36) | % | $ | 1,302 | $ | 1,987 | $ | (685) | (34) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per product ton | $ | 98 | $ | 155 | $ | (57) | (37) | % | $ | 107 | $ | 193 | $ | (86) | (45) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gross margin per nutrient ton(1) | $ | 500 | $ | 778 | $ | (278) | (36) | % | $ | 545 | $ | 984 | $ | (439) | (45) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | $ | 15 | $ | 17 | $ | (2) | (12) | % | $ | 48 | $ | 53 | $ | (5) | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized net mark-to-market gain on natural gas derivatives | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | — | % | $ | (7) | $ | (7) | $ | — | — | % | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Nutrient tons represent the tons of nitrogen within the product tons.
Third Quarter of 2023 Compared to Third Quarter of 2022
In June 2022, we approved and announced our proposed plan to restructure our U.K. operations, including the planned permanent closure of our Ince facility. In August 2022, the final restructuring plan was approved, and decommissioning activities were initiated. We produced compound fertilizer products (NPKs), which are solid granular fertilizer products for which the nutrient content is a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, only at our Ince facility, and closure of this facility resulted in our discontinuation of the NPK product line.
In September 2022, as a result of extremely high and volatile natural gas prices and the lack of a corresponding increase in global nitrogen product market prices, we idled ammonia production at our Billingham complex. Since that time, we have imported ammonia for upgrade into AN and other nitrogen products at that location, including nitric acid and aqua ammonia, which are included in our Other segment. In the third quarter of 2023, we approved our plan to permanently close the ammonia plant at our Billingham complex.
Net Sales. Net sales in our Other segment decreased by $56 million, or 30%, to $129 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $185 million in the third quarter of 2022 due to a 37% decrease in average selling prices, partially offset by an 11% increase in sales volume. The decrease in average selling prices was due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates. The increase in sales volume was due to higher DEF and nitric acid sales volumes, partially offset by lower urea liquor sales volume.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Other segment averaged $136 per ton in the third quarter of 2023, a 38% decrease from $218 per ton in the third quarter of 2022, due primarily to lower production costs for our Billingham complex in the third quarter of 2023, as purchased ammonia was used for upgrading into other nitrogen products as compared to the higher-cost natural gas used to produce ammonia to upgrade into other nitrogen products in the third quarter of 2022. In addition, the decrease in cost of sales per ton reflects lower realized natural gas costs in North America in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2022.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Other segment decreased by $23 million to $54 million in the third quarter of 2023 from $77 million in the third quarter of 2022, and our gross margin percentage was 41.9% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to 41.6% in the third quarter of 2022. The decrease in gross margin reflects the following:
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a decrease in average selling prices of 37%, which decreased gross margin by $74 million, partially offset by an increase in sales volume of 11%, which increased gross margin by $8 million; and
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a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $44 million, due primarily to the closure of our Billingham ammonia plant, partially offset by a net increase of $1 million in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, driven by the cost for purchased ammonia for upgrade at our Billingham complex, partially offset by lower production costs.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Net Sales. Net sales in our Other segment decreased by $204 million, or 33%, to $418 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $622 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022 due to a 34% decrease in average selling prices partially offset by a 2% increase in sales volume. The decrease in average selling prices was due primarily to an increase in global supply availability as lower global energy costs drove higher global operating rates.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales in our Other segment averaged $149 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, a 24% decrease from $196 per ton in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, due primarily to lower production costs for our Billingham complex in the first nine months of 2023, as purchased ammonia was used for upgrading into other nitrogen products as compared to the higher-cost natural gas used to produce ammonia to upgrade into other nitrogen products in the first nine months of 2022.
Gross Margin. Gross margin in our Other segment decreased by $133 million to $175 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $308 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and our gross margin percentage was 41.9% in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to 49.5% in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease in gross margin reflects the following:
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a decrease in average selling prices of 34%, which decreased gross margin by $212 million, partially offset by an increase in sales volume of 2%, which increased gross margin by $10 million; and
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a decrease in realized natural gas costs, which increased gross margin by $89 million, due primarily to the closure of our Billingham ammonia plant, partially offset by a net increase of $20 million in manufacturing, maintenance and other costs, driven by the cost for purchased ammonia for upgrade at our Billingham complex, partially offset by lower production costs.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary uses of cash are generally for operating costs, working capital, capital expenditures, debt service, investments, taxes, share repurchases, and dividends. Our working capital requirements are affected by several factors, including demand for our products, selling prices, raw material costs, freight costs and seasonal factors inherent in the business. We may also utilize our cash to fund acquisitions. In addition, we may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases, in open market or privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
Generally, our primary source of cash is cash from operations, which includes cash generated by customer advances. We may also from time to time access the capital markets or engage in borrowings under our revolving credit agreement.
As of September 30, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents balance was $3.25 billion, an increase of $931 million from $2.32 billion at December 31, 2022. At September 30, 2023, we were in compliance with all applicable covenant requirements under our revolving credit agreement and senior notes, and unused borrowing capacity under our revolving credit agreement was $750 million.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash with original maturities of three months or less. Under our short-term investment policy, we may invest our cash balances, either directly or through mutual funds, in several types of investment-grade securities, including notes and bonds issued by governmental entities or corporations. Securities issued by governmental entities include those issued directly by the U.S. and Canadian federal governments; those issued by state, local or other governmental entities; and those guaranteed by entities affiliated with governmental entities.
Share Repurchase Programs
On November 3, 2021, our Board of Directors (the Board) authorized the repurchase of up to $1.5 billion of CF Holdings common stock through December 31, 2024 (the 2021 Share Repurchase Program). On November 2, 2022, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to $3 billion of CF Holdings common stock commencing upon completion of the 2021 Share Repurchase Program and effective through December 31, 2025 (the 2022 Share Repurchase Program). Repurchases under our share repurchase programs may be made from time to time in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions, through block transactions or otherwise. The manner, timing and amount of repurchases will be determined by our management based on the evaluation of market conditions, stock price, and other factors. Shares repurchased, including those repurchased under share repurchase programs, are retired as approved by the Board. The 2021 Share Repurchase Program was completed in the second quarter of 2023. The following table summarizes the share repurchases under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program and 2021 Share Repurchase Program.
| 2022 Share Repurchase Program | 2021 Share Repurchase Program | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares | Amounts**(1)** | Shares | Amounts**(1)** | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares repurchased in 2022: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| First quarter | — | $ | — | 1.3 | $ | 100 | |||||||||||||||||
| Second quarter | — | — | 5.3 | 490 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Third quarter | — | — | 6.1 | 532 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Fourth quarter | — | — | 2.2 | 223 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total shares repurchased in 2022 | — | — | 14.9 | 1,345 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shares repurchased as of December 31, 2022 | — | $ | — | 14.9 | $ | 1,345 | |||||||||||||||||
| Shares repurchased in 2023: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| First quarter | — | $ | — | 1.1 | $ | 75 | |||||||||||||||||
| Second quarter | 0.8 | 50 | 1.2 | 80 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Third quarter | 1.9 | 150 | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total shares repurchased in 2023 | 2.7 | 200 | 2.3 | 155 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Shares repurchased as of September 30, 2023 | 2.7 | $ | 200 | 17.2 | $ | 1,500 |
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
(1)As defined in the share repurchase programs, amounts reflect the price paid for the shares of common stock repurchased, excluding commissions paid to brokers and excise taxes.
In the first half of 2023, we completed the 2021 Share Repurchase Program with the repurchase of approximately 2.3 million shares for $155 million. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares under the 2022 Share Repurchase Program for $200 million.
Capital Spending
We make capital expenditures to sustain our asset base, increase our capacity or capabilities, improve plant efficiency, comply with various environmental, health and safety requirements, and invest in our clean energy strategy. Capital expenditures totaled $311 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $319 million in the first nine months of 2022.
We currently anticipate that capital expenditures for the full year 2023 will be in the range of $450 to $500 million, which includes capital expenditures related to green and blue ammonia projects. Planned capital expenditures are generally subject to change due to delays in regulatory approvals or permitting, unanticipated increases in cost, changes in scope and completion time, performance of third parties, delays in the receipt of equipment, adverse weather, defects in materials and workmanship, labor or material shortages, transportation constraints, acceleration or delays in the timing of the work and other unforeseen difficulties.
Agreement to Purchase Ammonia Production Facility
On March 20, 2023, we entered into an asset purchase agreement with DNLA and IPL. Under the terms of the agreement, we will purchase DNLA’s ammonia production complex located in Waggaman, Louisiana for a purchase price of $1.675 billion, subject to adjustment. The facility has a nameplate capacity of 880,000 tons of ammonia annually. The parties will allocate $425 million of the purchase price to a long-term ammonia offtake agreement providing for us to supply up to 200,000 tons of ammonia per year to IPL’s Dyno Nobel, Inc. subsidiary. We expect to fund the balance of the purchase price, representing the $1.675 billion purchase price, as adjusted, less $425 million, with cash on hand.
The consummation of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of customary conditions, including, among others, the expiration or early termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended. We expect to close the transaction on December 1, 2023.
The agreement includes certain customary termination rights, including the right of either party to terminate the agreement if the closing has not occurred by March 20, 2025. We have agreed to pay a termination fee of $75 million if the agreement is terminated in certain circumstances and certain regulatory approvals are not obtained.
United Kingdom Operations
During the third quarter of 2021, the United Kingdom began experiencing an energy crisis that included a substantial increase in the price of natural gas, which impacted our U.K. operations and resulted in the halt of operations at both our Ince and Billingham manufacturing facilities. Shortly thereafter, our Billingham facility resumed operations. In the third quarter of 2022, we approved our plan to restructure our U.K. operations, including the permanent closure of our Ince facility and optimization of the remaining manufacturing operations at the Billingham facility. As of June 30, 2023, the decommissioning of our Ince facility and other approved restructuring actions had been completed.
In September 2022, as a result of extremely high and volatile natural gas prices and the lack of a corresponding increase in global nitrogen product market prices, we idled ammonia production at our Billingham complex. With the ammonia plant idled since September 2022, production of AN and other nitrogen products has continued at our Billingham facility using imported ammonia, a portion of which is imported from our other ammonia production sites. In the third quarter of 2023, we approved our plan to permanently close the ammonia plant at our Billingham complex. There remains uncertainty regarding the future cost of ammonia used for upgrading, natural gas and electricity, and selling prices for the products we produce in the United Kingdom. These factors, in addition to any remaining disposition activities at our Ince facility, could necessitate, among other things, additional funding to support the cash needs of our U.K. operations and recognition of further losses and could have an adverse impact on our results of operations and cash flows.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Debt
Revolving Credit Agreement
On October 26, 2023, we entered into a new senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the New Revolving Credit Agreement), which replaced our prior senior unsecured revolving credit agreement (the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement) that was scheduled to mature on December 5, 2024. The Prior Revolving Credit Agreement provided for a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million and included a letter of credit sub-limit of $125 million.
The New Revolving Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility of up to $750 million with a maturity of October 26, 2028 and includes a letter of credit sub-limit of $125 million. Borrowings under the New Revolving Credit Agreement may be used for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases and other general corporate purposes. CF Industries is the lead borrower, and CF Holdings is the sole guarantor, under the New Revolving Credit Agreement.
Borrowings under the New Revolving Credit Agreement may be denominated in U.S. dollars, Canadian dollars, euros and British pounds. Borrowings in U.S. dollars bear interest at a per annum rate equal to, at our option, an applicable adjusted term Secured Overnight Financing Rate or base rate plus, in either case, a specified margin. We are required to pay an undrawn commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the commitments under the New Revolving Credit Agreement and customary letter of credit fees. The specified margin and the amount of the commitment fee depend on CF Holdings’ credit rating at the time. The New Revolving Credit Agreement contains representations and warranties and affirmative and negative covenants, including a financial covenant.
As of September 30, 2023, we had unused borrowing capacity under the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement of $750 million and no outstanding letters of credit under the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement. There were no borrowings outstanding under the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement as of September 30, 2023 or December 31, 2022, or during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. See Note 11—Financing Agreements for additional information on the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement.
Letters of Credit Under Bilateral Agreement
We are party to a bilateral agreement providing for the issuance of up to $350 million of letters of credit. As of September 30, 2023, approximately $200 million of letters of credit were outstanding under this agreement.
Senior Notes
Long-term debt presented on our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of the following debt securities issued by CF Industries:
| Effective Interest Rate | September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal | Carrying Amount**(1)** | Principal | Carrying Amount**(1)** | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (in millions) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Public Senior Notes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.150% due March 2034 | 5.293% | $ | 750 | $ | 741 | $ | 750 | $ | 741 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.950% due June 2043 | 5.040% | 750 | 742 | 750 | 742 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 5.375% due March 2044 | 5.478% | 750 | 741 | 750 | 740 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior Secured Notes: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.500% due December 2026(2) | 4.783% | 750 | 743 | 750 | 742 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total long-term debt | $ | 3,000 | $ | 2,967 | $ | 3,000 | $ | 2,965 | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1)Carrying amount is net of unamortized debt discount and deferred debt issuance costs. Total unamortized debt discount was $7 million as of both September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and total deferred debt issuance costs were $26 million and $28 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
(2)Effective August 23, 2021, these notes are no longer secured, in accordance with the terms of the applicable indenture.
Under the terms of the indentures (including the applicable supplemental indentures) governing our senior notes due 2034, 2043 and 2044 identified in the table above (the Public Senior Notes), each series of Public Senior Notes is guaranteed by CF Holdings. Under the terms of the indenture governing the 4.500% senior secured notes due 2026 (the 2026 Notes), the 2026 Notes are guaranteed by CF Holdings.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Interest on the Public Senior Notes and the 2026 Notes is payable semiannually, and the Public Senior Notes and the 2026 Notes are redeemable at our option, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at specified make-whole redemption prices.
Forward Sales and Customer Advances
We offer our customers the opportunity to purchase products from us on a forward basis at prices and on delivery dates we propose. Therefore, our reported fertilizer selling prices and margins may differ from market spot prices and margins available at the time of shipment.
Customer advances, which typically represent a portion of the contract’s value, are received shortly after the contract is executed, with any remaining unpaid amount generally being collected by the time control transfers to the customer, thereby reducing or eliminating the accounts receivable related to such sales. Any cash payments received in advance from customers in connection with forward sales contracts are reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a current liability until control transfers and revenue is recognized. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $282 million and $229 million, respectively, in customer advances on our consolidated balance sheets.
While customer advances are generally a significant source of liquidity, the level of forward sales contracts is affected by many factors, including current market conditions, our customers’ outlook of future market fundamentals and seasonality. During periods of declining prices, customers tend to delay purchasing fertilizer in anticipation that prices in the future will be lower than the current prices. If the level of sales under our forward sales programs were to decrease in the future, our cash received from customer advances would likely decrease and our accounts receivable balances would likely increase. Additionally, borrowing under the New Revolving Credit Agreement could become necessary. Due to the volatility inherent in our business and changing customer expectations, we cannot estimate the amount of future forward sales activity.
Under our forward sales programs, a customer may delay delivery of an order due to weather conditions or other factors. These delays generally subject the customer to potential charges for storage or may be grounds for termination of the contract by us. Such a delay in scheduled shipment or termination of a forward sales contract due to a customer’s inability or unwillingness to perform may negatively impact our reported sales.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in prices for natural gas that will be purchased in the future. Natural gas is the largest and most volatile component of our manufacturing cost for nitrogen-based products. From time to time, we may also use derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Volatility in reported quarterly earnings can result from the unrealized mark-to-market adjustments in the value of the derivatives. As of September 30, 2023, our open natural gas derivative contracts consisted of natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and options for 65.3 million MMBtus of natural gas. As of December 31, 2022, our open natural gas derivative contracts consisted of natural gas fixed price swaps, basis swaps and options for 66.3 million MMBtus of natural gas.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
We contributed $38 million to our pension plans in the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Over the remainder of 2023, we expect to contribute approximately $6 million to our pension plans, which would result in our making total contributions of approximately $44 million to our pension plans for the full year 2023. In addition, in the two-year period from 2024 to 2025, we expect to contribute a total of approximately £30 million (or $36 million) to our U.K. plans, as agreed with the plans’ trustees.
Distribution to Noncontrolling Interest in CFN
On January 31, 2023, CFN distributed $255 million to CHS for the distribution period ended December 31, 2022. On July 31, 2023, the CFN Board of Managers approved semi-annual distribution payments for the distribution period ended June 30, 2023 in accordance with CFN’s limited liability company agreement, and on July 31, 2023, CFN distributed $204 million to CHS for this distribution period. The estimate of the partnership distribution earned by CHS, but not yet declared, for the third quarter of 2023 is approximately $66 million.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities during the first nine months of 2023 was $2.28 billion, a decrease of $993 million compared to $3.27 billion in the first nine months of 2022. The decrease in cash flow from operations was due primarily to lower net earnings, partially offset by changes in net working capital. Net earnings for the first nine months of 2023 was $1.49 billion compared to $2.93 billion for the first nine months of 2022, a decrease of $1.44 billion. The decrease in net earnings was due primarily to a decrease in gross margin, driven by lower average selling prices, partially offset by lower natural gas costs. During the first nine months of 2023, net changes in working capital increased cash flow from operations by $289 million, while in the first nine months of 2022, net changes in working capital reduced cash flow from operations by $621 million. The increase in cash flow from working capital changes was attributable primarily to favorable movements in accounts receivable, inventory and customer advances in the first nine months of 2023 as compared to the first nine months of 2022.
Net cash used in investing activities was $271 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $308 million in the first nine months of 2022. Capital expenditures totaled $311 million during the first nine months of 2023 compared to $319 million in the first nine months of 2022. Proceeds from the sale of emission credits was $39 million in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $15 million in the first nine months of 2022.
Net cash used in financing activities was $1.07 billion in the first nine months of 2023 compared to $2.37 billion in the first nine months of 2022. The decrease was due primarily to a decrease in share repurchases. In the first nine months of 2023, we paid $355 million for share repurchases compared to $1.10 billion paid for share repurchases in the first nine months of 2022. In addition, we paid $507 million in connection with the redemption of the 2023 Notes in the first nine months of 2022.
Critical Accounting Estimates
During the first nine months of 2023, there were no material changes to our critical accounting estimates as described in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022.
Forward-Looking Statements
From time to time, in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as well as in other written reports and oral statements, we make forward-looking statements that are not statements of historical fact and may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may also relate to our prospects, future developments and business strategies. We have used the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” or “would” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions, to identify forward-looking statements in this document. These forward-looking statements are made based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data, our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industries and markets in which we operate and management’s beliefs and assumptions concerning future events affecting us. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and factors relating to our operations and business environment, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, our actual results may differ materially from what is expressed in or implied by any forward-looking statements. We want to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any responsibility to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements to take into account events or circumstances that occur after the date of this document. Additionally, we do not undertake any responsibility to provide updates regarding the occurrence of any unanticipated events which may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this document.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations are disclosed under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2023. Such factors include, among others:
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the risk that regulatory approvals required for the proposed transactions with Incitec Pivot Limited (IPL) are not obtained or that required approvals delay the transactions or cause the parties to abandon the transactions; the risk that other conditions to the closing of the proposed transactions with IPL are not satisfied; risks and uncertainties arising from the length of time necessary to consummate the proposed transactions with IPL and the possibility that the proposed transactions with IPL may be delayed or may not occur; the risk of obstacles to realization of the benefits of the proposed transactions with IPL;
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the risk that the synergies from the proposed transactions with IPL may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; the risk that the pendency or completion of the proposed transactions with IPL, including integration of the Waggaman ammonia production complex into the Company’s operations, disrupt current operations or harm relationships with customers, employees and suppliers; the risk that integration of the Waggaman ammonia
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
production complex with the Company’s current operations will be more costly or difficult than expected or may otherwise be unsuccessful; diversion of management time and attention to issues relating to the proposed transactions with IPL; unanticipated costs or liabilities associated with the IPL transactions;
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the cyclical nature of our business and the impact of global supply and demand on our selling prices;
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the global commodity nature of our nitrogen products, the conditions in the international market for nitrogen products, and the intense global competition from other producers;
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conditions in the United States, Europe and other agricultural areas, including the influence of governmental policies and technological developments on the demand for our fertilizer products;
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the volatility of natural gas prices in North America and the United Kingdom;
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weather conditions and the impact of adverse weather events;
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the seasonality of the fertilizer business;
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the impact of changing market conditions on our forward sales programs;
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difficulties in securing the supply and delivery of raw materials, increases in their costs or delays or interruptions in their delivery;
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reliance on third party providers of transportation services and equipment;
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our reliance on a limited number of key facilities;
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risks associated with cybersecurity;
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acts of terrorism and regulations to combat terrorism;
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risks associated with international operations;
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the significant risks and hazards involved in producing and handling our products against which we may not be fully insured;
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our ability to manage our indebtedness and any additional indebtedness that may be incurred;
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our ability to maintain compliance with covenants under our revolving credit agreement and the agreements governing our indebtedness;
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downgrades of our credit ratings;
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risks associated with changes in tax laws and disagreements with taxing authorities;
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risks involving derivatives and the effectiveness of our risk management and hedging activities;
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potential liabilities and expenditures related to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations and permitting requirements;
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regulatory restrictions and requirements related to greenhouse gas emissions;
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the development and growth of the market for green and blue (low-carbon) ammonia and the risks and uncertainties relating to the development and implementation of our green and blue ammonia projects;
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risks associated with expansions of our business, including unanticipated adverse consequences and the significant resources that could be required; and
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risks associated with the operation or management of the CHS strategic venture, risks and uncertainties relating to the market prices of the fertilizer products that are the subject of our supply agreement with CHS over the life of the supply agreement, and the risk that any challenges related to the CHS strategic venture will harm our other business relationships.
CF INDUSTRIES HOLDINGS, INC.
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