Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
Important risk factors that apply to us are outlined in Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (the “10-K Report”). In addition to these risk factors, we include the following updates:
Operational Risks
Key inputs for the production of our finished goods, including fertilizer, sulfur and ammonia, and energy used in our businesses in the past have been and may in the future be the subject of volatile pricing and availability. Changes in the price or availability of these key inputs for production of finished goods have had, and could again have, a material adverse impact on our businesses.
From time to time, our profitability has been and may in the future be adversely impacted by the price and availability of key inputs and energy costs. For example, the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the related sanctions have led, and may continue to lead, to disruption and instability in global markets, supply chains and volatile pricing and availability of these key inputs. A significant increase in the price or availability of these key inputs or energy costs in the future could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Important raw materials and energy used in our businesses in the past have been and may in the future be the subject of volatile pricing. Changes in the price of our raw materials have had, and could again have, a material adverse impact on our businesses.
Natural gas, ammonia and sulfur are key raw materials used in the manufacture of phosphate crop nutrient products. Natural gas is used as both a chemical feedstock and a fuel to produce anhydrous ammonia, which is a raw material used in the production of concentrated phosphate products. Natural gas is also a significant energy source used in the potash solution mining process. From time to time, our profitability has been and may in the future be adversely impacted by the price and availability of these raw materials and other energy costs. Because most of our products are commodities, there can be no assurance that we will be able to pass through increased costs to our customers. A significant increase in the price of natural gas, ammonia, sulfur or energy costs that is not recovered through an increase in the price of our related crop nutrients products could have a material adverse impact on our business. In addition, under an ammonia supply agreement with CF, we have agreed to purchase approximately 545,000 to 725,000 tonnes of ammonia per year at a price to be determined by a formula based on the prevailing price of U.S. natural gas. If the price of natural gas rises or the market price for ammonia falls outside of the range anticipated at execution of this agreement, we may not realize a cost benefit from the natural gas-based pricing over the term of the agreement, or the cost of our ammonia under the agreement could become a competitive disadvantage. At times, we have paid considerably more for ammonia under the agreement than what we would have paid had we purchased it in the spot market. On October 14, 2022, we received notice from CF to exercise the bilateral, contractual right to end the ammonia supply agreement in its current form, effective January 1, 2025. The contract allows for either party to exercise rights on certain dates through 2032 that can result in changes to terms and conditions. We expect that we will continue to have adequate sources of supply for ammonia at competitive pricing, including from CF.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Pursuant to our employee stock plans relating to the grant of employee stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock unit awards, and other equity-based awards, we have granted and may in the future grant employee stock options to purchase shares of our Common Stock for which the purchase price may be paid by means of delivery to us by the optionee of shares of our Common Stock that are already owned by the optionee (at a value equal to market value on the date of the option exercise). During the periods covered by this report, no options to purchase shares of our Common Stock were exercised for which the purchase price was so paid.
Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities**(a)**
The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of our Common Stock that we purchased under the repurchase programs during the quarter ended September 30, 2022:
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| Period | Total number of shares purchased | Average price paid per share | Total number of shares purchased as part of a publicly announced program | Maximum approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the program**(b)** | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 1, 2022 - July 31, 2022 | 7,466,116 | $ | 46.88 | 7,466,116 | $ | 204,780,372 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1, 2022 - August 31, 2022 | 2,587,450 | 54.47 | 2,587,450 | 63,834,069 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 1, 2022 - September 30, 2022 | 1,613,012 | 52.06 | 1,613,012 | 1,979,868,011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 11,666,578 | $ | 49.28 | 11,666,578 | $ | 1,979,868,011 |
______________________________
(a) In the second quarter of 2022, we announced the establishment of a $1 billion share repurchase program. On July, 31, 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program, effective upon completion of the $1 billion program, which allows us to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of our Common Stock through open market purchases, accelerated share repurchase arrangements, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. The program has no set expiration date.
(b) At the end of the month shown.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K is included in Exhibit 95 to this report.
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