EX-99.1 2 d352540dex991.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

   News Release

 

NYSE, TSX: NTR

 

May 2, 2022 – all amounts are in US dollars except as otherwise noted

Nutrien Delivers Strong First Quarter Results

and Responds to Global Supply Uncertainties

Raising Full-Year Adjusted Net Earnings, Adjusted EBITDA and Potash Sales Volume Guidance

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan - Nutrien Ltd. (TSX and NYSE: NTR) announced today its first quarter 2022 results, with net earnings of $1.4 billion ($2.49 diluted net earnings per share). First quarter adjusted net earnings per share1 were $2.70 and adjusted EBITDA1 was $2.6 billion.

“Global agriculture and crop input markets are being impacted by a number of unprecedented supply disruptions that have contributed to higher commodity prices and escalated concerns for global food security. The situation emphasizes the need for long-term solutions that support a sustainable increase in global crop production,” commented Ken Seitz, Nutrien’s Interim President and CEO.

“Nutrien is responding by safely increasing potash production and utilizing our global supply chain to provide customers with the crop inputs and services they need for this critical growing season. We expect to generate higher earnings and cash flows in 2022, which provides an opportunity to accelerate our strategic initiatives that we believe will advance sustainable agriculture practices and create long-term value for all our stakeholders. This includes the potential to expand our low-cost fertilizer production capability, enhance our leading global distribution network and proprietary products business, and return additional cash to our shareholders,” added Mr. Seitz.

Highlights:

 

 

Nutrien generated record net earnings2 of $1.4 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2022 due to higher realized prices and strong Retail performance, more than offsetting a reduction in fertilizer sales volumes that was primarily due to a delayed start to the planting season in North America.

 

 

Nutrien raised full-year 2022 adjusted EBITDA guidance1 and adjusted net earnings per share guidance1 to $14.5 to $16.5 billion and $16.20 to $18.70 per share, respectively. Adjusted net earnings per share guidance includes our plans to allocate a minimum of $2 billion to share repurchases in 2022 on a balanced cadence throughout the year.

 

 

Nutrien Ag Solutions (“Retail”) delivered record first quarter adjusted EBITDA of $240 million, as a result of supportive market conditions in key regions where we operate. Retail sales and gross margin both increased by 30 percent in the first quarter of 2022 and cash operating coverage ratio1 improved to 57 percent compared to 60 percent for the same period in 2021.

 

 

Potash adjusted EBITDA increased to $1.4 billion due to higher net realized selling prices. North American sales volumes decreased due to a delayed start to the planting season, with offshore volumes increasing as a result of strong global demand. On March 16, 2022, we announced our intention to increase potash production capability by nearly one million tonnes in response to the uncertainty of potash supply from Eastern Europe.

 

 

Nitrogen adjusted EBITDA increased to $995 million in the first quarter of 2022. Higher net realized selling prices more than offset higher natural gas costs and lower sales volumes due to unplanned production outages, along with the delayed start to the planting season in North America.

 

 

Phosphate adjusted EBITDA increased to $239 million in the first quarter of 2022, more than double the same period in 2021 due to higher net realized selling prices.

 

 

Nutrien repurchased approximately 9 million shares year-to-date as of April 29, 2022, under its normal course issuer bids, for a total of approximately $740 million.

1 These (and any related guidance, if applicable) are non-IFRS financial measures. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section for further information.

2 Net earnings from continuing operations.

 

1


Management’s Discussion and Analysis

The following management’s discussion and analysis (“MD&A”) is the responsibility of management and is dated as of May 2, 2022. The Board of Directors (“Board”) of Nutrien carries out its responsibility for review of this disclosure principally through its audit committee, comprised exclusively of independent directors. The audit committee reviews and, prior to its publication, approves this disclosure pursuant to the authority delegated to it by the Board. The term “Nutrien” refers to Nutrien Ltd. and the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “Nutrien” and “the Company” refer to Nutrien and, as applicable, Nutrien and its direct and indirect subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Additional information relating to Nutrien (which, except as otherwise noted, is not incorporated by reference herein), including our Annual Report dated February 17, 2022, which includes our annual audited consolidated financial statements and MD&A, and our Annual Information Form dated February 17, 2022, each for the year ended December 31, 2021, can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. No update is provided to the disclosure in our 2021 annual MD&A except for material information since the date of our annual MD&A. The Company is a foreign private issuer under the rules and regulations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

This MD&A is based on and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as at and for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (“interim financial statements”) based on International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 “Interim Financial Reporting”, unless otherwise noted. This MD&A contains certain non-IFRS financial measures and ratios and forward-looking statements, which are described in the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” and the “Forward-Looking Statements” sections, respectively.

Market Outlook and Guidance

Agriculture and Retail

 

 

Global grain and oilseed inventories were well below historical average levels entering 2022 due to strong demand and less than expected supply in recent growing seasons. The Russia and Ukraine conflict has led to further tightening of crop export supplies and heightened global food security concerns. Prices for key crops such as corn, soybean and wheat are 50 to 90 percent above the 10-year average, providing a strong incentive for growers to increase production.

 

 

The US Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) expects combined planted acreage of US corn, soybeans, and cotton could set a record in 2022. Wet and cool weather delayed the start of the North American spring season and could impact planting decisions and the timing of input demand.

 

 

While drought conditions reduced the size of the South American soybean crop, the safrinha corn crop is reported to be in relatively good condition. Prospective corn and soybean margins remain well above historical average levels, and we expect strong demand for crop inputs in 2022.

 

 

Soil moisture conditions are favorable entering the Australian winter planting season as some of the drier areas in Western Australia have received rains and areas that have experienced flooding are not expected to materially change cropping area.

Crop Nutrient Markets

 

 

Russia and Belarus account for approximately 40 percent of global potash production and exports. Financial sanctions and other restrictions imposed on Russia and Belarus have significantly constrained supply with reported potash exports from the region approximately 20 percent lower in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. As a result, we have reduced our projected range of global potash shipments to between 60 and 65 million tonnes in 2022. We are estimating a wider than normal range of global potash shipments given the level of uncertainty of supply from Russia and Belarus.

 

 

Global nitrogen supplies have tightened due to reduced availability from Russia, the largest global exporter of nitrogen products, as well as the Chinese government restrictions on urea exports. Russian natural gas supply uncertainty has also contributed to very high and volatile natural gas prices in Europe, which has led to reduced nitrogen operating rates in the region. While underlying agricultural and industrial fundamentals support nitrogen demand, tight supplies could constrain demand in markets such as Europe and in some regions of North America. We expect Henry Hub natural gas prices to average between $5.50 to $6.50 per MMBtu in 2022, well below import pricing levels in Europe and Asia.

 

 

Global phosphate supply has been impacted by a reduction in Russian and Chinese DAP and MAP fertilizer exports. Phosphate markets have been further supported by a significant increase in sulfur and ammonia costs.

 

2


Financial Guidance

 

 

We are raising our full-year 2022 adjusted EBITDA guidance1 and full-year 2022 adjusted net earnings per share guidance1 primarily due to the expectation of higher realized selling prices, increased potash sales volumes and higher Retail crop nutrients and crop protection products gross margins. Adjusted net earnings per share guidance includes our plans to allocate a minimum of $2 billion to share repurchases in 2022 on a balanced cadence throughout the year.

 

 

Nutrien has raised potash sales volume guidance to between 14.5 to 15.1 million tonnes in 2022. This incorporates our announcement on March 16, 2022 of our intention to increase potash production capability by nearly one million tonnes compared to previous expectations, with the majority of additional volume expected to be produced in the second half of 2022.

 

 

Nutrien has lowered nitrogen sales volume guidance to between 10.7 to 11.1 million tonnes in 2022. This reflects the impact of unplanned plant outages that occurred during the first quarter of 2022.

All guidance numbers, including those noted above are outlined in the table below. Refer to page 53 of Nutrien’s 2021 Annual Report for related assumptions and sensitivities.

 

                                                                           
    Guidance Ranges1 as of  
    May 2, 2022     February 16, 2022  
  (billions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)   Low        High        Low        High     

  Adjusted net earnings per share 2

    16.20       18.70       10.20       11.80  

  Adjusted EBITDA 2

    14.5       16.5       10.0       11.2  

  Retail adjusted EBITDA

    1.8       1.9       1.7       1.8  

  Potash adjusted EBITDA

    7.5       8.3       5.0       5.5  

  Nitrogen adjusted EBITDA

    5.0       5.8       3.2       3.6  

  Phosphate adjusted EBITDA (in US millions)

    800       900       500       600  

  Potash sales tonnes (millions) 3

    14.5       15.1       13.7       14.3  

  Nitrogen sales tonnes (millions) 3

    10.7       11.1       10.8       11.3  

  Depreciation and amortization

    2.0       2.1       2.0       2.1  

  Effective tax rate on adjusted earnings (%)

    25.5       26.5       25       26  

  Sustaining capital expenditures 4

    1.2       1.3       1.2       1.3  

  1  See the “Forward-Looking Statements” section.

  2  These are non-IFRS financial measures. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

  3  Manufactured product only. Nitrogen sales tonnes excludes ESN® products.

  4  This is a supplementary financial measure. See the “Other Financial Measures” section.

Consolidated Results

 

        Three Months Ended March 31      

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

              2022                 2021       % Change  

Sales

    7,657       4,658       64  

Freight, transportation and distribution

    203       211       (4

Cost of goods sold

    4,197       3,291       28  

Gross margin

    3,257       1,156       182  

Expenses

    1,258       878       43  

Net earnings

    1,385       133       941  

Adjusted EBITDA 1

    2,615       806       224  

Diluted net earnings per share

    2.49       0.22       n/m  

Adjusted net earnings per share 1

    2.70       0.29       831  

Cash used in operating activities

    (62     (152     (59

Free cash flow 1

    1,814       476       281  

Free cash flow including changes in non-cash operating working capital 1

    (256     (316     (19

  1  These are non-IFRS financial measures. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

Net earnings and adjusted EBITDA increased significantly in the first quarter compared to the same period in 2021. This was mainly due to higher net realized selling prices from global supply uncertainties across our nutrient businesses. Cash flow used in operating activities decreased in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due primarily to higher net earnings.

1 These (and any related guidance, if applicable) are non-IFRS financial measures. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section for further information.

 

3


Segment Results

Our discussion of segment results set out on the following pages is a comparison of the results for the three months ended March 31, 2022 to the results for the three months ended March 31, 2021, unless otherwise noted.

 

 Nutrien Ag Solutions (“Retail”)

 

    Three Months Ended March 31  
 (millions of US dollars, except   Dollars           Gross Margin           Gross Margin (%)  
        as otherwise noted)   2022     2021     % Change           2022     2021     % Change           2022     2021  

 Sales

                   

Crop nutrients

    1,587       1,016       56         292       220       33         18       22  

Crop protection products

    1,387       1,085       28         282       176       60         20       16  

Seed

    458       463       (1       66       69       (4       14       15  

Merchandise

    234       230       2         41       38       8         18       17  

Nutrien Financial

    49       25       96         49       25       96         100       100  

Services and other 1

    175       165       6         144       136       6         82       82  

Nutrien Financial elimination 1, 2

    (29     (12     142         (29     (12     142         100       100  
    3,861       2,972       30         845       652       30         22       22  

 Cost of goods sold

    3,016       2,320       30                

 Gross margin

    845       652       30                

 Expenses 3

    755       721       5                

 Earnings (loss) before finance costs and taxes (“EBIT”)

    90       (69     n/m                

 Depreciation and amortization

    169       177       (5              

 EBITDA

    259       108       140                

 Adjustments 4

    (19     1       n/m                

 Adjusted EBITDA

    240       109       120                                                          

 1  Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

   

 2  Represents elimination for the interest and service fees charged by Nutrien Financial to Retail branches.

   

 3  Includes selling expenses of $722 million (2021 – $667 million).

   

 4  See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.

   

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased in the first quarter of 2022 due to higher sales and gross margins across most product categories and regions where we operate. This was supported by strong agriculture fundamentals, higher selling prices and growth in proprietary products sales. Retail cash operating coverage ratio1 favorably declined to 57 percent in the first quarter of 2022 from 60 percent in the same period in 2021 due to significantly higher gross margin.

 

 

Crop nutrients sales and gross margin increased in the first quarter of 2022 due to higher selling prices. Gross margin per tonne increased compared to the same period in the prior year due to the timing of inventory purchases in a rising price environment. Sales volumes decreased due to a pull forward of sales into the fourth quarter of 2021 and delayed spring field activity in North America, partially offset by strong demand in South America and Australia.

 

 

Crop protection products sales and gross margin increased in the first quarter of 2022 due to higher prices, strong demand and favorable application conditions in Australia. Gross margin increase was supported by the reliability of our supply chain and strategic procurement in a rising price environment.

 

 

Seed sales decreased in the first quarter of 2022 primarily due to delayed North American field activity caused by wet and cool weather. This was partially offset by favorable weather conditions in Australia.

 

 

Merchandise sales increased in the first quarter of 2022 primarily driven by favorable market conditions in Australia, with increased flock and heard sizes along with higher fencing sales due to replacement from the Northeast flood damage.

 

 

Nutrien Financial sales increased in the first quarter of 2022 due to higher utilization and adoption of our programs, minimal credit loss due to strong credit evaluation and collection processes, as well as favorable market conditions driven by strong commodity pricing and government programs for our grower customers.

 

 

Services and other sales increased in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to favorable conditions in Australia, in particular the livestock market with increased cattle prices.

1 This is a non-IFRS financial measure. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section for further information.

 

4


 Potash

 

    Three Months Ended March 31  
  (millions of US dollars, except       Dollars           Tonnes (thousands)           Average per Tonne  
     as otherwise noted)         2022           2021      % Change                 2022         2021      % Change                 2022           2021      % Change  

Manufactured product

                        

Net sales

                        

North America

    833       332        151       1,218     1,470        (17       684       226        203  

Offshore

    1,017       279        265       1,825     1,687        8         557       166        236  
    1,850       611        203       3,043     3,157        (4       608       194        213  

Cost of goods sold

    305       291        5                  100       92        9  

Gross margin - total

    1,545       320        383             508       102        398  

Expenses 1

    251       64        292       Depreciation and amortization

 

            37       39        (6

EBIT

    1,294       256        405       Gross margin excluding depreciation

 

        

Depreciation and amortization

    112       124        (10    

and amortization - manufactured 2

 

            545       141        286  

Adjusted EBITDA

    1,406       380        270             Potash controllable cash cost of   product manufactured 2

 

            50       49        2  

 1  Includes provincial mining taxes of $249 million (2021 – $58 million).

 2  These are non-IFRS financial measures. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased in the first quarter of 2022 due to higher net realized selling prices, which more than offset a small reduction in total sales volumes and higher royalties and provincial mining taxes.

 

 

Sales volumes in the first quarter of 2022 decreased as wet and cool weather in North America delayed planting. Offshore sales volumes increased during the quarter due to strong demand, although were impeded by a Canadian Pacific Railway labor strike and weather-related issues that temporarily impacted rail deliveries.

 

 

Net realized selling price increased in the first quarter of 2022 due to strong global demand supported by higher crop prices and supply constraints, in particular related to uncertainty on future supply from Russia and Belarus.

 

 

Cost of goods sold per tonne increased in the first quarter of 2022 primarily due to higher royalties resulting from increased selling prices. We are now reporting potash controllable cash cost of product manufactured per tonne as we believe it is a better indicator of potash costs that management considers to be within its control and not primarily driven by regulatory and market conditions. Controllable cash cost of product manufactured was relatively flat for the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period last year, as higher production volumes mostly offset higher input costs.

Canpotex Sales by Market

 

        Three Months Ended March 31  

(percentage of sales volumes, except as otherwise noted)

              2022                 2021             Change  

Other Asian markets 1

    45       37       8  

Latin America

    32       30       2  

China

    13       15       (2

Other markets

    9       12       (3

India

    1       6       (5
      100       100          

 1  All Asian markets except China and India.

 

5


 Nitrogen

 

    Three Months Ended March 31  
  (millions of US dollars, except   Dollars           Tonnes (thousands)           Average per Tonne   
     as otherwise noted)         2022           2021     % Change                 2022         2021      % Change                 2022           2021      % Change  

Manufactured product

                       

Net sales

                       

Ammonia

    560       160       250      

595

    572        4         940       278        238  

Urea

    463       249       86      

591

    757        (22       783       329        138  

Solutions, nitrates and sulfates

    439       164       168      

1,079

    1,074        -         407       153        166  
        1,462           573       155      

2,265

    2,403        (6       645       238        171  

Cost of goods sold

    640       440       45                  282       183        54  

Gross margin - manufactured

    822       133       518                  363       55        560  

Gross margin - other 1

    38       17       124       Depreciation and amortization

 

            54       54        1  

Gross margin - total

    860       150       473      

Gross margin excluding depreciation

  and amortization - manufactured 3

 

 

        

Income

    (12     (17     (29               417       109        284  

EBIT

    872       167       422       Ammonia controllable cash cost of

 

        

Depreciation and amortization

    123       129       (5       product manufactured 3

 

            56       52        8  

EBITDA

    995       296       236                    

Adjustments 2

    -       4       (100                  

Adjusted EBITDA

    995       300       232                                                                

1  Includes other nitrogen (including ESN®) and purchased products and comprises net sales of $279 million (2021 – $187 million) less cost of goods sold of $241 million (2021 – $170 million).

2  See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.

3  These are non-IFRS financial measures. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased in the first quarter of 2022 primarily due to higher net realized selling prices, which more than offset higher natural gas costs and lower volumes.

 

 

Sales volumes decreased in the first quarter of 2022 due to unplanned plant outages that impacted ammonia and urea production, along with the delayed planting in North America.

 

 

Net realized selling price was higher due to higher benchmark prices resulting from the strength in global demand and tight supply, along with higher energy prices in key nitrogen exporting regions.

 

 

Cost of goods sold per tonne increased primarily due to higher natural gas costs and higher raw material costs.

Natural Gas Prices in Cost of Production

 

        Three Months Ended March 31  

(US dollars per MMBtu, except as otherwise noted)

          2022                 2021         % Change  

Overall gas cost excluding realized derivative impact

    6.86       3.17       116  

Realized derivative impact

    (0.01     0.02       n/m  

Overall gas cost

    6.85       3.19       115  

Average NYMEX

    4.95       2.69       84  

Average AECO

    3.61       2.30       57  

 

 

Natural gas prices in our cost of production increased in the first quarter of 2022 as a result of higher North American gas index prices and increased gas costs in Trinidad, where our gas prices are linked to ammonia benchmark prices.

 

6


 Phosphate

 

 

 

 

  Three Months Ended March 31  
 (millions of US dollars, except   Dollars    

 

 

 

    Tonnes (thousands)    

 

 

 

    Average per Tonne   
       as otherwise noted)   2022     2021     % Change           2022     2021     % Change           2022     2021     % Change  

Manufactured product

 

                   

Net sales

                     

Fertilizer

          393             230       71         460       509       (10       854       453       89  

Industrial and feed

    170       114       49    

 

 

 

    191       193       (1  

 

 

 

    891       589       51  
    563       344       64         651       702       (7       865       490       77  

Cost of goods sold

    360       282       28    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    552       401       38  

Gross margin - manufactured

    203       62       227                 313       89       252  

Gross margin - other 1

    4       4       -    

 

 

 

     Depreciation and amortization      

 

 

 

 

 

    63       54       16  

Gross margin - total

    207       66       214        

 Gross margin excluding depreciation

       

Expenses

    9       7       29    

 

 

 

   

     and amortization –manufactured 2

      376       143       163  

EBIT

    198       59       236                  

Depreciation and amortization

    41       38       8    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

    239       97       146      

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 1 Includes other phosphate and purchased products and comprises net sales of $72 million (2021 – $41 million) less cost of goods sold of $68 million (2021 – $37 million).

 2 This is a non-IFRS financial measure. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased in the first quarter of 2022 due to higher net realized selling prices, which more than offset higher raw material costs and lower sales volumes.

 

 

Sales volumes decreased particularly in fertilizer, as a wet and cool spring in North America delayed planting.

 

 

Net realized selling price increased in connection with the increase in global benchmark prices. Industrial and feed net selling prices increased to a lesser extent than fertilizer prices due to a lag in price realizations relative to spot prices.

 

 

Cost of goods sold per tonne increased primarily due to significantly higher sulfur and ammonia input costs.

 

 Corporate and Others

 

        Three Months Ended March 31  

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

              2022                 2021         % Change  

Selling expenses

    (2     (6     (67

General and administrative expenses

    70       58       21  

Share-based compensation expense

    135       23       487  

Other expenses

    53       28       89  

EBIT

    (256     (103     149  

Depreciation and amortization

    16       12       33  

EBITDA

    (240     (91     164  

Adjustments 1

    174       43       305  

Adjusted EBITDA

    (66     (48     38  

1 See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.

     

 

   

Share-based compensation expense was higher in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to a significant increase in our share price, which resulted in a higher value of share-based awards outstanding.

 

   

Other expenses were higher in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 mainly due to higher foreign exchange losses related to our international operations.

 

7


 Eliminations

Eliminations of gross margin between operating segments were $(200) million in the first quarter of 2022 compared to $(32) million for the same period in 2021. We had significant eliminations in the first quarter of 2022 due to higher-margin inventories held by our Retail segment as global commodity benchmark prices increased. Eliminations are not part of the Corporate and Others segment.

Finance Costs, Income Taxes and Other Comprehensive Income

 

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)   Three Months Ended March 31  
                2022                   2021           % Change  

Finance costs

    109       120       (9

Income tax expense

    505       25       n/m  

Other comprehensive income

    176       24       633  

 

   

Income tax expense was higher as a result of significantly higher earnings in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

 

   

Other comprehensive income is primarily driven by changes in the currency translation of our foreign operations. In the first quarter of 2022, we had a significant gain on translation of our Retail operations in Australia and Brazil as these currencies appreciated relative to the US dollar as at March 31, 2022 compared to December 31, 2021 levels.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Liquidity

We continued to manage our capital in accordance with our capital allocation strategy. We believe that our internally generated cash flow, supplemented by available borrowings under our new or existing financing sources, if necessary, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated capital expenditures, planned growth and development activities, and other cash requirements for the foreseeable future. Refer to the “Capital Structure and Management” section for details on our existing long-term debt and credit facilities.

Sources and Uses of Cash

 

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)   Three Months Ended March 31  
                2022                   2021           % Change  

Cash used in operating activities

    (62     (152     (59

Cash used in investing activities

    (457     (388     18  

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    588       (191     n/m  

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

    9       (11     n/m  

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    78       (742     n/m  

 

   
Cash used in
operating activities
  

 Lower cash used in operating activities in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to higher earnings driven by higher crop input prices from tight global supply, offset with seasonal working capital requirements.

   
Cash used in
investing activities
  

 Cash used in investing activities in the first quarter of 2022 was higher compared to the same period in 2021 due to higher spending to maintain the safety and reliability of our assets and to increase our production capabilities, and the timing of supplier payments.

   
Cash provided by
(used in) financing activities
  

 Higher cash provided by financing activities in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 due to increased commercial paper drawdowns to temporarily finance working capital requirements, partially offset by increased share repurchases.

 

8


Financial Condition Review

The following balance sheet categories contained variances that were considered material:

 

     As at                

(millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

    
March 31, 2022
 
     December 31, 2021        $ Change        % Change  

Assets

           

Receivables

     6,437        5,366        1,071        20  

Inventories

     9,068        6,328        2,740        43  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     943        1,653        (710      (43

Liabilities and Equity

           

Short-term debt

     3,033        1,560        1,473        94  

Payables and accrued charges

     11,013        10,052        961        10  

Retained earnings

     8,931        8,192        739        9  

 

   

Receivables increased due to higher sales across all of our segments as a result of higher crop nutrient net realized selling prices consistent with higher benchmark pricing.

 

   

Inventories increased due to seasonal Retail inventory build-up for the spring planting and application seasons in North America. The increase was also attributable to higher cost to produce or purchase inventory due to inflation and tight global supply.

 

   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets decreased due to the drawdown of prepaid inventory in preparation for the spring planting and application seasons in North America.

 

   

Short-term debt increased due to additional commercial paper issuances as part of our seasonal working capital management.

 

   

Payables and accrued charges increased due to higher input costs from inflation and tight global supply, and seasonal Retail build-up of inventory purchases driving higher payables and accrued charges.

 

   

Retained earnings increased as net earnings in the first quarter of 2022 exceeded dividends declared and share repurchases.

Capital Structure and Management

Principal Debt Instruments

As part of the normal course of business, we closely monitor our liquidity position. We use a combination of cash generated from operations and short-term and long-term debt to finance our operations. We were in compliance with our debt covenants and did not have any changes to our credit ratings in the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

 

 

 

     As at March 31, 2022  
                         Outstanding and Committed          
 (millions of US dollars)      Rate of Interest (%)        Total Facility Limit        Short-Term Debt        Long-Term Debt   

Credit facilities

                   

Unsecured revolving term credit facility

       n/a          4,500          -           

Uncommitted revolving demand facility

       n/a          500          -           

Other credit facilities

            720            

South American

       1.7 - 13.3               124          144   

Australian

       0.8 - 0.9               180           

Other

       1.0 - 3.9               23           

Commercial paper

       0.5 - 1.3               2,640           

Other short-term debt

       n/a         

 

 

 

 

 

       66           

Total

      

 

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

       3,033          147  

We also have a commercial paper program, which is limited to the availability of backup funds under the $4,500 million unsecured revolving term credit facility and excess cash invested in highly liquid securities.

Our long-term debt consists primarily of notes. See the “Capital Structure and Management” section of our 2021 Annual Report for information on balances, rates and maturities for our notes.

 

9


Outstanding Share Data

 

 

 

 

 

   As at April 29, 2022  

Common shares

     551,299,995  

Options to purchase common shares

     4,116,888  

For more information on our capital structure and management, see Note 24 to our 2021 annual financial statements.

Quarterly Results

 

  (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)   Q1 2022     Q4 2021     Q3 2021     Q2 2021     Q1 2021     Q4 2020     Q3 2020     Q2 2020  

Sales 1

    7,657       7,267       6,024       9,763       4,658       4,052       4,227       8,431  

Net earnings (loss)

    1,385       1,207       726       1,113       133       316       (587     765  

Net earnings (loss) attributable to equity holders of Nutrien

    1,378       1,201       717       1,108       127       316       (587     765  

Net earnings (loss) per share attributable to equity holders of Nutrien

               

Basic

    2.49       2.11       1.26       1.94       0.22       0.55       (1.03     1.34  

Diluted

    2.49       2.11       1.25       1.94       0.22       0.55       (1.03     1.34  

1  Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified in the second and third quarters of 2020.

 

Seasonality in our business results from increased demand for products during the planting season. Crop input sales are generally higher in the spring and fall application seasons. Crop input inventories are normally accumulated leading up to each application season. Our cash collections generally occur after the application season is complete, while customer prepayments made to us are concentrated in December and January and inventory prepayments paid to our suppliers are typically concentrated in the period from November to January. Feed and industrial sales are more evenly distributed throughout the year.

Our earnings are significantly affected by fertilizer benchmark prices, which have been volatile over the last two years and are affected by demand-supply conditions, grower affordability and weather.

In the fourth quarter of 2021, earnings were impacted by a $142 million loss resulting from the early extinguishment of long-term debt. In the fourth quarter of 2020, earnings were impacted by a $250 million net gain on disposal of our investment in Misr Fertilizers Production Company S.A.E.. In the third quarter of 2020, earnings were impacted by an $823 million non-cash impairment of assets primarily in the Phosphate segment as a result of lower long-term forecasted global phosphate prices.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in our 2021 Annual Report. We have discussed the development, selection and application of our key accounting policies, and the critical accounting estimates and assumptions they involve, with the audit committee of the Board. Our critical accounting estimates are discussed on page 49 of our 2021 Annual Report. There were no material changes in the three months ended March 31, 2022 to our critical accounting estimates.

 

10


Risk Factors

Russia and Ukraine Conflict

The current conflict between Ukraine and Russia and the international response has, and may continue to have, potential wide-ranging consequences for global market volatility and economic conditions, including energy and commodity prices. Certain countries including Canada, the United States, Australia and certain European countries have imposed strict financial and trade sanctions against Russia, with Russia and Belarus imposing retaliatory sanctions of their own, which may have continued far-reaching effects on the global economy, energy and commodity prices, food security and crop nutrient supply and prices. The short-, medium- and long-term implications of the conflict in Ukraine are difficult to predict with any degree of certainty at this time. While Nutrien does not have operations in Ukraine or Russia, there remains uncertainty relating to the potential impact of the conflict and its effect on global food security, growers and the market outlook for crop nutrient market supply and demand fundamentals and nutrient prices, and it could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Depending on the extent, duration, and severity of the conflict, it may have the effect of heightening many of the other risks Nutrien is subject to and which are described in our 2021 Annual Report and 2021 Annual Information Form, including, without limitation, risks relating to market fundamentals and conditions (such as sanctions and trade flows and the impact thereof on crop nutrient supply and demand); cybersecurity threats; energy and commodity prices; inflationary pressures, interest rates and costs of capital; and supply chains and cost-effective and timely transportation.

Controls and Procedures

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers’ Annual and Interim Filings. Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with IFRS. Any system of internal control over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, has inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

11


Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and other information included in this document, including within the “Financial Outlook and Guidance” section, constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) under applicable securities laws (such statements are often accompanied by words such as “anticipate”, “forecast”, “expect”, “believe”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “estimate”, “intend” or other similar words). All statements in this document, other than those relating to historical information or current conditions, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: Nutrien’s business strategies, plans, prospects and opportunities; Nutrien’s 2022 full-year guidance, including expectations regarding our adjusted net earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA (consolidated and by segment); expectations regarding our growth and capital allocation intentions and strategies; capital spending expectations for 2022; expectations regarding performance of our operating segments in 2022, including our operating segment market outlooks and market conditions for 2022, and the anticipated supply and demand for our products and services, expected market and industry conditions with respect to crop nutrient application rates, planted acres, grower crop investment, crop mix, prices and the impact of import and export volumes and economic sanctions; Nutrien’s ability to develop innovative and sustainable solutions; the negotiation of sales contracts; and acquisitions and divestitures. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. As such, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.

All of the forward-looking statements are qualified by the assumptions that are stated or inherent in such forward-looking statements, including the assumptions referred to below and elsewhere in this document. Although we believe that these assumptions are reasonable, having regard to our experience and our perception of historical trends, this list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the forward-looking statements and the reader should not place undue reliance on these assumptions and such forward-looking statements. Current conditions, economic and otherwise, render assumptions, although reasonable when made, subject to greater uncertainty. The additional key assumptions that have been made include, among other things, assumptions with respect to our ability to successfully complete, integrate and realize the anticipated benefits of our already completed and future acquisitions and divestitures, and that we will be able to implement our standards, controls, procedures and policies in respect of any acquired businesses and to realize the expected synergies; that future business, regulatory and industry conditions will be within the parameters expected by us, including with respect to prices, margins, demand, supply, product availability, supplier agreements, availability and cost of labor and interest, exchange and effective tax rates; assumptions with respect to global economic conditions and the accuracy of our market outlook expectations for 2022 and in the future; our expectations regarding the impacts, direct and indirect, of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, customers, business partners, employees, supply chain, other stakeholders and the overall global economy; our expectations regarding the impacts, direct and indirect, of the conflict between Ukraine and Russia on, among other things, global supply and demand, energy and commodity prices; interest rates, supply chains and the global economy; the adequacy of our cash generated from operations and our ability to access our credit facilities or capital markets for additional sources of financing; our ability to identify suitable candidates for acquisitions and divestitures and negotiate acceptable terms; our ability to maintain investment grade ratings and achieve our performance targets; our ability to successfully negotiate sales contracts; and our ability to successfully implement new initiatives and programs.

Events or circumstances that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: general global economic, market and business conditions; failure to complete announced and future acquisitions or divestitures at all or on the expected terms and within the expected timeline; climate change and weather conditions, including impacts from regional flooding and/or drought conditions; crop planted acreage, yield and prices; the supply and demand and price levels for our products; governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities, including changes in government policy (including tariffs, trade restrictions and climate change initiatives), government ownership requirements, changes in environmental, tax and other laws or regulations and the interpretation thereof; political risks, including civil unrest, actions by armed groups or conflict and malicious acts including terrorism; the occurrence of a major environmental or safety incident; innovation and cybersecurity risks related to our systems, including our costs of addressing or mitigating such risks; counterparty and sovereign risk; delays in completion of turnarounds at our major facilities; interruptions of or constraints in availability of key inputs, including natural gas and sulfur; any significant impairment of the carrying amount of certain assets; risks related to reputational loss; certain complications that may arise in our mining processes; the ability to attract, engage and retain skilled employees and strikes or other forms of work stoppages; the COVID-19 pandemic, including variants of the COVID-19 virus and the efficiency and distribution of vaccines, and its resulting effects on economic conditions, restrictions imposed by public health authorities or governments, including government-imposed vaccine mandates, fiscal and monetary responses by governments and financial institutions and disruptions to global supply chains; the conflict between Ukraine and Russia and its potential impact on, among other things, global market conditions and supply and demand, energy and commodity prices; interest rates, supply chains and the global economy generally; and other risk factors detailed from time to time in Nutrien reports filed with the Canadian securities regulators and the SEC in the United States.

The purpose of our adjusted net earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA (consolidated and by segment) and sustaining capital expenditures guidance ranges are to assist readers in understanding our expected and targeted financial results, and this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

 

12


The forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date hereof and Nutrien disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this document as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable Canadian securities legislation or applicable US federal securities laws.

Terms and Definitions

For the definitions of certain financial and non-financial terms used in this document, as well as a list of abbreviated company names and sources, see the “Terms & Definitions” section of our 2021 Annual Report. All references to per share amounts pertain to diluted net earnings (loss) per share, “n/m” indicates information that is not meaningful, and all financial amounts are stated in millions of US dollars, unless otherwise noted.

About Nutrien

Nutrien is the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services, playing a critical role in helping growers increase food production in a sustainable manner. We produce and distribute approximately 27 million tonnes of potash, nitrogen and phosphate products world-wide. With this capability and our leading agriculture retail network, we are well positioned to supply the needs of our customers. We operate with a long-term view and are committed to working with our stakeholders as we address our economic, environmental and social priorities. The scale and diversity of our integrated portfolio provides a stable earnings base, multiple avenues for growth and the opportunity to return capital to shareholders.

For Further Information:

Investor Relations:

Jeff Holzman

Vice President, Investor Relations

(306) 933-8545

Investors@nutrien.com

Media Relations:

Megan Fielding

Vice President, Brand & Culture Communications

(403) 797-3015

Contact us at: www.nutrien.com

Selected financial data for download can be found in our data tool at www.nutrien.com/investors/interactive-datatool Such data is not incorporated by reference herein.

 

 

Nutrien will host a Conference Call on Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 10:00 am Eastern Time.

 

In order to expedite access to our conference call, each participant will be required to pre-register for the event:

   

Online: http://www.directeventreg.com/registration/event/5495024.

 

Once the registration is complete, a confirmation will be sent providing the dial-in number and both the Direct Event Passcode and your unique Registrant ID to join this call. For security reasons, please do not share your information with anyone else.

 

Live Audio Webcast: Visit https://www.nutrien.com/investors/events/2022-q1-earnings-conference-call

 

13


Appendix A - Selected Additional Financial Data

 

Selected Retail Measures  

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

  2022   2021  
  Proprietary products margin as a percentage of product line margin (%)          

    Crop nutrients

  15     21  

    Crop protection products

  39     43  

    Seed

  38     40  

    All products

  22     23  

  Crop nutrients sales volumes (tonnes – thousands)

   

    North America

  1,242     1,597  

    International

  933     803  

    Total

  2,175     2,400  

  Crop nutrients selling price per tonne

   

    North America

  867     458  

    International

  547     355  

    Total

  729     423  

  Crop nutrients gross margin per tonne

   

    North America

  185     113  

    International

  67     49  

    Total

  134     92  

  Financial performance measures

  2022     2021  

    Retail adjusted EBITDA margin (%) 1, 2

  11     10  

    Retail adjusted EBITDA per US selling location (thousands of US dollars) 1, 2, 3

  1,583     1,159  

    Retail adjusted average working capital to sales (%) 1, 4

  14     14  

    Retail adjusted average working capital to sales excluding Nutrien Financial (%) 1, 4

  -     3  

    Nutrien Financial adjusted net interest margin (%) 1, 4

  6.9     5.5  

    Retail cash operating coverage ratio (%) 1, 4

  57     60  

  1   Rolling four quarters ended March 31, 2022 and 2021.

   

  2   These are supplementary financial measures. See the “Other Financial Measures” section.

   

  3   Excluding acquisitions.

   

  4   These are non-IFRS financial measures. See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section.

   

 

  Nutrien Financial    As at March 31, 2022     

As at

Dec 31, 2021

 
  (millions of US dollars)    Current     

<31 days

past due

    

31–90
days

past due

    

>90 days

past due

     Gross
Receivables
     Allowance 1     Net
Receivables
     Net
Receivables
 

  North America

     1,182        77        74        58        1,391        (26     1,365        1,488  

  International

     770        40        80        22        912        (3     909        662  

  Nutrien Financial receivables

     1,952        117        154        80        2,303        (29     2,274        2,150  

  1   Bad debt expense on the above receivables for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $1 million (2021 – $5 million) in the Retail segment.

 

 

14


Selected Nitrogen Measures  

Three Months Ended March 31

            2022   2021
  Sales volumes (tonnes – thousands)        

    Fertilizer

  1,093   1,305

    Industrial and feed

  1,172   1,098
  Net sales (millions of US dollars)    

    Fertilizer

  774   332

    Industrial and feed

  688   241
  Net selling price per tonne        

    Fertilizer

  708   254

    Industrial and feed

  587   220
Production Measures  

Three Months Ended March 31

    2022   2021

  Potash production (Product tonnes – thousands)

  3,703   3,536

  Potash shutdown weeks 1

  -   -

  Ammonia production – total 2

  1,403   1,449

  Ammonia production – adjusted 2, 3

  958   1,053

  Ammonia operating rate (%) 3

  89   97

  P2O5 production (P2O5 tonnes – thousands)

  378   378

   P2O5 operating rate (%)

  90   90

1   Represents weeks of full production shutdown, including inventory adjustments and unplanned events, excluding the impact of any periods of reduced operating rates, planned routine annual maintenance shutdowns and announced workforce reductions.

2   All figures are provided on a gross production basis in thousands of product tonnes.

3   Excludes Trinidad and Joffre.

 

15


Appendix B - Non-IFRS Financial Measures

We use both International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) measures and certain non-IFRS financial measures to assess performance. Non-IFRS financial measures are financial measures disclosed by a company that (a) depict historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of a company, (b) with respect to their composition, exclude amounts that are included in, or include amounts that are excluded from, the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the primary financial statements of the company, (c) are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company and (d) are not a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation. Non-IFRS ratios are financial measures disclosed by a company that are in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation that has a non-IFRS financial measure as one or more of its components, and that are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company.

These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are not standardized financial measures under IFRS and, therefore, are unlikely to be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other companies. Management believes these non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios provide transparent and useful supplemental information to help investors evaluate our financial performance, financial condition and liquidity using the same measures as management. These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

The following section outlines our non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios, their compositions, and why management uses each measure. It also includes reconciliations to the most directly comparable IFRS measures. Except as otherwise described herein, our non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are calculated on a consistent basis from period to period and are adjusted for specific items in each period, as applicable. As additional non-recurring or unusual items arise in the future, we generally exclude these items in our calculations.

Adjusted EBITDA (Consolidated)

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Net earnings (loss).

Definition: Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net earnings (loss) before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation and certain foreign exchange gain/loss (net of related derivatives). We also adjust this measure for the following other income and expenses that are excluded when management evaluates the performance of our day-to-day operations: integration and restructuring related costs, impairment or reversal of impairment of assets, COVID-19 related expenses, gain or loss on disposal of certain businesses and investments, and IFRS adoption transition adjustments.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: It is not impacted by long-term investment and financing decisions, but rather focuses on the performance of our day-to-day operations. It provides a measure of our ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations, and as a component of employee remuneration calculations.

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31

 (millions of US dollars)

  2022     2021  

 Net earnings

  1,385     133  

 Finance costs

  109     120  

 Income tax expense

  505     25  

 Depreciation and amortization

  461     480  

 EBITDA 1

  2,460     758  

 Share-based compensation expense

  135     23  

 Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

  25     2  

 Integration and restructuring related costs

  9     10  

 Impairment of assets

  -     4  

 COVID-19 related expenses 2

  5     9  

 Gain on disposal of investment

  (19)     -  

 Adjusted EBITDA

  2,615     806  

1   EBITDA is calculated as net earnings (loss) before finance costs, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization.

2   COVID-19 related expenses primarily consist of increased cleaning and sanitization costs, the purchase of personal protective equipment, discretionary supplemental employee costs, and costs related to construction delays from access limitations and other government restrictions.

 

16


Adjusted Net Earnings and Adjusted Net Earnings Per Share

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Net earnings (loss) and net earnings (loss) per share.

Definition: Adjusted net earnings and related per share information are calculated as net earnings (loss) before share-based compensation and certain foreign exchange gain/loss (net of related derivatives), net of tax. We also adjust this measure for the following other income and expenses (net of tax) that are excluded when management evaluates the performance of our day-to-day operations: certain integration and restructuring related costs, impairment or reversal of impairment of assets, COVID-19 related expenses (including those recorded under finance costs), gain or loss on disposal of certain businesses and investments, IFRS adoption transition adjustments and gain/loss on early extinguishment of debt. We generally apply the annual forecasted effective tax rate to our adjustments during the year and, at year-end, we apply the actual effective tax rate. If the effective tax rate is significantly different from our forecasted effective tax rate due to adjustments or discrete tax impacts, we apply a tax rate that excludes those items. For material adjustments, we apply a tax rate specific to the adjustment.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: Focuses on the performance of our day-to-day operations and is used as a component of employee remuneration calculations.

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2022

 

 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

    
Increases
(Decreases)
 
 
          Post-Tax      


Per

      Diluted
Share

 

 
 

 Net earnings attributable to equity holders of Nutrien

       1,378       2.49  

 Adjustments:

      

Share-based compensation expense

               135                 101       0.18  

Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

     25       19       0.04  

Integration and restructuring related costs

     9       7       0.01  

COVID-19 related expenses

     5       4                 0.01  

Gain on disposal of investment

     (19     (14     (0.03
       

 Adjusted net earnings

             1,495       2.70  
    

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2021

 

 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

    
Increases
(Decreases)
 
 
    Post-Tax      

Per
Diluted
Share
 
 
 

 Net earnings attributable to equity holders of Nutrien

       127       0.22  

 Adjustments:

      

Share-based compensation expense

     23       18       0.04  

Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

     2       2       -  

Integration and restructuring related costs

     10       8       0.01  

Impairment of assets

     4       3       0.01  

COVID-19 related expenses

     9       7       0.01  
       

 Adjusted net earnings

             165       0.29  

Adjusted EBITDA (Consolidated) and Adjusted Net Earnings Per Share Guidance

Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net earnings per share guidance are forward-looking non-IFRS financial measures. We do not provide a reconciliation of such forward-looking measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS because a meaningful or accurate calculation of reconciling items and the information is not available without unreasonable effort due to unknown variables, including the timing and amount of certain reconciling items, and the uncertainty related to future results. These unknown variables may include unpredictable transactions of significant value that may be inherently difficult to determine without unreasonable efforts. The probable significance of such unavailable information, which could be material to future results, cannot be addressed. Guidance for adjusted EBITDA and adjusted net earnings per share excludes certain items such as, but not limited to, the impacts of share-based compensation, certain foreign exchange gain/loss (net of related derivatives), integration and restructuring related costs, impairment or reversal of impairment of assets, COVID-19 related expenses (including those recorded under finance costs), gain or loss on disposal of certain businesses and investments, IFRS adoption transition adjustments, and gain/loss on early extinguishment of debt.

 

17


Free Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow Including Changes in Non-Cash Operating Working Capital

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Cash provided by (used in) operating activities.

Definition: Free cash flow is calculated as cash provided by (used in) operating activities less sustaining capital expenditures and before changes in non-cash operating working capital. Free cash flow including non-cash operating working capital is calculated as cash provided by operating activities less sustaining capital expenditures.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: For evaluation of liquidity and financial strength. These are also useful as indicators of our ability to service debt, meet other payment obligations and make strategic investments. These do not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures.

 

         Three Months Ended March 31  

 (millions of US dollars)

     2022        2021  

 Cash used in operating activities

     (62      (152

 Sustaining capital expenditures

     (194      (164

 Free cash flow including changes in non-cash operating working capital

     (256      (316

 Changes in non-cash operating working capital

     (2,070      (792

 Free cash flow

     1,814        476  

Gross Margin Excluding Depreciation and Amortization Per Tonne - Manufactured

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Gross margin.

Definition: Gross margin per tonne from manufactured products per tonne less depreciation and amortization per tonne. Reconciliations are provided in the “Segment Results” section.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: Focuses on the performance of our day-to-day operations, which excludes the effects of items that primarily reflect the impact of long-term investment and financing decisions.

 

18


Potash Controllable Cash Cost of Product Manufactured (“COPM”) Per Tonne

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Cost of goods sold (“COGS”) for the Potash segment.

Definition: Total Potash COGS excluding depreciation and amortization expense included in COPM, royalties, natural gas costs and carbon taxes, change in inventory, and other adjustments, divided by potash production tonnes.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To assess operational performance. In 2022, we replaced Potash cash COPM with this new financial measure. Potash controllable cash COPM excludes the effects of production from other periods and the impacts of our long-term investment decisions. Potash controllable cash COPM also excludes royalties and natural gas costs and carbon taxes, which management does not consider controllable, as they are primarily driven by regulatory and market conditions.

 

            Three Months Ended
March 31
 
 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)                        2022       2021  
 Total COGS – Potash            305       291  
 Change in inventory            77       27  
 Other adjustments 1                        (15     (4
 COPM            367       314  
 Depreciation and amortization in COPM            (119     (111
 Royalties in COPM            (45     (17
 Natural gas costs and carbon taxes in COPM                        (17     (12
 Controllable cash COPM            186       174  
 Production tonnes (tonnes – thousands)                            3,703           3,536  

 Potash controllable cash COPM per tonne

                       50       49  

1  Other adjustments include unallocated production overhead that is recognized as part of cost of goods sold but is not included in the measurement of inventory and changes in inventory balances.

 

Ammonia Controllable Cash COPM Per Tonne

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Total manufactured COGS for the Nitrogen segment.

Definition: Total Nitrogen COGS excluding depreciation and amortization expense included in COGS, cash COGS for products other than ammonia, other adjustments, and natural gas and steam costs, divided by net ammonia production tonnes.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To assess operational performance. Ammonia controllable cash COPM excludes the effects of production from other periods, the costs of natural gas and steam, and long-term investment decisions, supporting a focus on the performance of our day-to-day operations.

 

            Three Months Ended
March 31
 

 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

                       2022       2021  

 Total Manufactured COGS – Nitrogen

           640       440  

 Total Other COGS – Nitrogen

                       241       170  

 Total COGS – Nitrogen

           881       610  

 Depreciation and amortization in COGS

           (102     (108

 Cash COGS for products other than ammonia

                       (524     (393

 Ammonia

          

Total cash COGS before other adjustments

           255       109  

Other adjustments 1

                       (36     (3

Total cash COPM

           219       106  

Natural gas and steam costs

                       (181     (74

Controllable cash COPM

           38       32  

 Production tonnes (net tonnes 2 – thousands)

                       674       602  

 Ammonia controllable cash COPM per tonne

                       56       52  

1  Other adjustments include unallocated production overhead that is recognized as part of cost of goods sold but is not included in the measurement of inventory and changes in inventory balances.

2  Ammonia tonnes available for sale, as not upgraded to other Nitrogen products.

 

19


Retail Adjusted Average Working Capital to Sales and Retail Adjusted Average Working Capital to Sales Excluding Nutrien Financial

Definition: Retail adjusted average working capital divided by Retail adjusted sales for the last four rolling quarters. We exclude in our calculations the sales and working capital of certain acquisitions during the first year following the acquisition. We also look at this metric excluding Nutrien Financial revenue and working capital.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To evaluate operational efficiency. A lower or higher percentage represents increased or decreased efficiency, respectively. The metric excluding Nutrien Financial shows the impact that the working capital of Nutrien Financial has on the ratio.

 

    Rolling four quarters ended March 31, 2022  
 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)   Q2 2021     Q3 2021     Q4 2021     Q1 2022     Average/Total    

 Current assets

    9,300       8,945       9,924       12,392    

 Current liabilities

    (7,952     (5,062     (7,828     (9,223        

 Working capital

    1,348       3,883       2,096       3,169    

 Working capital from certain recent acquisitions

    -       -       -       -          

 Adjusted working capital

    1,348       3,883       2,096       3,169       2,624    

 Nutrien Financial working capital

    (3,072)       (2,820     (2,150     (2,274        

 Adjusted working capital excluding Nutrien Financial

    (1,724     1,063       (54     895       45    

 Sales

    7,537       3,347       3,878       3,861    

 Sales from certain recent acquisitions

    -       -       -       -          

 Adjusted sales

    7,537       3,347       3,878       3,861       18,623    

 Nutrien Financial revenue

    (59     (54     (51     (49        

 Adjusted sales excluding Nutrien Financial

    7,478       3,293       3,827       3,812       18,410    

Adjusted average working capital to sales (%)

            14    

Adjusted average working capital to sales excluding Nutrien Financial (%)

 

      -    

 

    Rolling four quarters ended March 31, 2021  
 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)   Q2 2020     Q3 2020     Q4 2020     Q1 2021     Average/Total    

 Current assets

    8,230       7,324       8,013       9,160    

 Current liabilities

    (6,200     (4,108     (6,856     (7,530        

 Working capital

    2,030       3,216       1,157       1,630    

 Working capital from certain recent acquisitions

    63       -       -       -          

 Adjusted working capital

    2,093       3,216       1,157       1,630       2,024    

 Nutrien Financial working capital

    (2,108     (1,711     (1,392     (1,221        

 Adjusted working capital excluding Nutrien Financial

    (15     1,505       (235     409       416    

 Sales

    6,764       2,742       2,618       2,972    

 Sales from certain recent acquisitions

    (338     -       -       -          

 Adjusted sales

    6,426       2,742       2,618       2,972       14,758    

 Nutrien Financial revenue

    (40     (36     (37     (25        

 Adjusted sales excluding Nutrien Financial

    6,386       2,706       2,581       2,947       14,620    

 Adjusted average working capital to sales (%)

            14    

 Adjusted average working capital to sales excluding Nutrien Financial (%)

 

      3    

 

20


Nutrien Financial Adjusted Net Interest Margin

Definition: Nutrien Financial revenue less deemed interest expense divided by average Nutrien Financial receivables outstanding for the last four rolling quarters.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: Used by credit rating agencies and other users to evaluate financial performance of Nutrien Financial.

 

    Rolling four quarters ended March 31, 2022  
 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)   Q2 2021     Q3 2021     Q4 2021     Q1 2022     Total/Average    

 Nutrien Financial revenue

    59       54       51                   49    

 Deemed interest expense 1

    (8     (10     (12     (6        

 Net interest

    51       44       39       43       177    

 Average Nutrien Financial receivables

    3,072       2,820       2,150       2,274       2,579    

 Nutrien Financial adjusted net interest margin (%)

                                    6.9    

 1   Average borrowing rate applied to the notional debt required to fund the portfolio of receivables from customers monitored and serviced by Nutrien Financial.

 

 

    Rolling four quarters ended March 31, 2021  
 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)   Q2 2020     Q3 2020     Q4 2020     Q1 2021     Total/Average    

 Nutrien Financial revenue

    40       36       37                   25    

 Deemed interest expense 1

    (15     (15     (14     (6        

 Net interest

    25       21       23       19       88    

 Average Nutrien Financial receivables

    2,108       1,711       1,392       1,221       1,608    

 Nutrien Financial adjusted net interest margin (%)

                                    5.5    
 1   Average borrowing rate applied to the notional debt required to fund the portfolio of receivables from customers monitored and serviced by Nutrien Financial.

 

 

21


Retail Cash Operating Coverage Ratio

Definition: Retail selling, general and administrative, and other expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense, divided by Retail gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization expense in cost of goods sold, for the last four rolling quarters.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To understand the costs and underlying economics of our Retail operations and to assess our Retail operating performance and ability to generate free cash flow.

 

    Rolling four quarters ended March 31, 2022  
 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)   Q2 2021     Q3 2021     Q4 2021     Q1 2022     Total   

 Selling expenses

    863       746       848       722       3,179   

 General and administrative expenses

    41       45       43       45       174   

 Other expenses (income)

    34       17       20       (12     59   

 Operating expenses

    938       808       911       755       3,412   

 Depreciation and amortization in operating expenses

    (166     (180     (173     (167     (686)  

 Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization

    772       628       738       588       2,726   

 Gross margin

    1,858       917       1,173       845       4,793   

 Depreciation and amortization in cost of goods sold

    3       2       5       2       12   

 Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization

    1,861       919       1,178       847       4,805   

 Cash operating coverage ratio (%)

                                    57   
   

 

Rolling four quarters ended March 31, 2021

 

 (millions of US dollars, except as otherwise noted)

  Q2 2020     Q3 2020     Q4 2020     Q1 2021     Total   

 Selling expenses

    764       669       727       667       2,827   

 General and administrative expenses

    30       34       33       39       136   

 Other expenses (income)

    32       (12     8       15       43   

 Operating expenses

    826       691       768       721       3,006   

 Depreciation and amortization in operating expenses

    (161     (167     (177     (175     (680)  

 Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization

    665       524       591       546       2,326   

 Gross margin

    1,627       683       885       652       3,847   

 Depreciation and amortization in cost of goods sold

    2       3       3       2       10   

 Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization

    1,629       686       888       654       3,857   

 Cash operating coverage ratio (%)

                                    60   

Appendix C – Other Financial Measures

Supplementary Financial Measures

Supplementary financial measures are financial measures disclosed by a company that (a) are, or are intended to be, disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of a company, (b) are not disclosed in the financial statements of the company, (c) are not non-IFRS financial measures, and (d) are not non-IFRS ratios.

The following section provides an explanation of the composition of those supplementary financial measures if not previously provided.

Retail adjusted EBITDA margin: Retail adjusted EBITDA divided by Retail sales for the last four rolling quarters.

Sustaining capital expenditures: Represents capital expenditures that are required to sustain operations at existing levels and include major repairs and maintenance, and plant turnarounds.

Retail adjusted EBITDA per US selling location: Calculated as total Retail US adjusted EBITDA for the last four rolling quarters, representing the organic EBITDA component, which excludes acquisitions in those quarters, divided by the number of US locations that have generated sales in the last four rolling quarters, adjusted for acquired locations in those quarters.

 

 

22


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

 

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

 

                 Three Months Ended        
March 31
 
    Note      2022        2021  

 SALES

  2      7,657        4,658  

 Freight, transportation and distribution

       203        211  

 Cost of goods sold

         4,197        3,291  

 GROSS MARGIN

       3,257        1,156  

 Selling expenses

       727        673  

 General and administrative expenses

       126        103  

 Provincial mining taxes

       249        58  

 Share-based compensation expense

       135        23  

 Other expenses

  4      21        21  

 EARNINGS BEFORE FINANCE COSTS AND INCOME TAXES

       1,999        278  

 Finance costs

         109        120  

 EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

       1,890        158  

 Income tax expense

         505        25  

 NET EARNINGS

         1,385        133  

 Attributable to

       

 Equity holders of Nutrien

       1,378        127  

     Non-controlling interest

         7        6  

 NET EARNINGS

         1,385        133  

 NET EARNINGS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO EQUITY HOLDERS OF NUTRIEN (“EPS”)

 

 Basic

       2.49        0.22  

 Diluted

         2.49        0.22  

 Weighted average shares outstanding for basic EPS

       552,636,000        569,658,000  

 Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted EPS

         554,647,000        570,901,000  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

 

                 Three Months Ended        
March 31
 

 (Net of related income taxes)

         2022        2021  

 NET EARNINGS

       1,385        133  

 Other comprehensive income

       

 Items that will not be reclassified to net earnings:

       

 Net actuarial gain on defined benefit plans

       1        -  

 Net fair value gain on investments

       31        48  

 Items that have been or may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings:

       

 Gain (loss) on currency translation of foreign operations

       128        (30

 Other

         16        6  

 OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

         176        24  

 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

         1,561        157  

 Attributable to

       

 Equity holders of Nutrien

       1,554        151  

 Non-controlling interest

         7        6  

 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

                     1,561                        157  

 (See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

23


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

       
Three Months Ended
March 31
 
 
       Note        2022       2021  

 OPERATING ACTIVITIES

       

 Net earnings

        1,385       133  

 Adjustments for:

       

 Depreciation and amortization

        461       480  

 Share-based compensation expense

        135       23  

 Impairment of assets

        -       4  

 Provision for deferred income tax

        45       10  

 Gain on disposal of investment

        (19     -  

 Other long-term assets, liabilities and miscellaneous

              1       (10

 Cash from operations before working capital changes

        2,008       640  

 Changes in non-cash operating working capital:

       

 Receivables

        (909     (392

 Inventories

        (2,609     (1,785

 Prepaid expenses and other current assets

        722       688  

 Payables and accrued charges

              726       697  

 CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES

              (62     (152

 INVESTING ACTIVITIES

       

 Capital expenditures 1

        (450     (358

 Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

        (41     (21

 Other

              34       (9

 CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES

              (457     (388

 FINANCING ACTIVITIES

       

 Proceeds from short-term debt, net

        1,454       101  

 Repayment of long-term debt

        (2     -  

 Repayment of principal portion of lease liabilities

        (79     (78

 Dividends paid to Nutrien’s shareholders

     7        (257     (255

 Repurchase of common shares

     7        (642     (1

 Issuance of common shares

        126       42  

 Other

              (12     -  

 CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        588       (191

 EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

              9       (11

 INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

        78       (742

 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – BEGINNING OF PERIOD

              499       1,454  

 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS – END OF PERIOD

              577       712  

 Cash and cash equivalents comprised of:

       

 Cash

        546       601  

 Short-term investments

              31       111  
                577       712  

 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION

       

 Interest paid

        50       76  

 Income taxes paid

        789       39  

 Total cash outflow for leases

              107       97  

 1 Includes additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of $386 and $64 (2021 – $325 and $33), respectively.

  (See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

24


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

 

                      Accumulated Other Comprehensive
(Loss) Income (“AOCI”)
                         
     Number of
Common
Shares
    Share
Capital
    Contributed
Surplus
    Loss on
Currency
Translation of
Foreign
Operations
    Other    

Total

AOCI

    Retained
Earnings
    Equity
Holders
of
Nutrien
(Note 1)
    Non-
Controlling
Interest
(Note 1)
    Total
Equity
 
           

 BALANCE – DECEMBER 31, 2020

    569,260,406       15,673       205       (62     (57     (119     6,606       22,365       38       22,403  
           

 Net earnings

    -       -       -       -       -       -       127       127       6       133  
           

 Other comprehensive (loss) income

    -       -       -       (30     54       24       -       24       -       24  
           

 Shares repurchased (Note 7)

    (14,978     (1     -       -       -       -       -       (1     -       (1
           

 Dividends declared

    -       -       -       -       -       -       (262     (262     -       (262
           

 Non-controlling interest transactions

    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (2     (2
           

 Effect of share-based compensation including issuance of common shares

    965,744       50       (3     -       -       -       -       47       -       47  

 Transfer of net gain on cash flow hedges

    -       -       -       -       (3     (3     -       (3     -       (3
           

 BALANCE – MARCH 31, 2021

    570,211,172       15,722       202       (92     (6     (98     6,471       22,297       42       22,339  
           

 BALANCE – DECEMBER 31, 2021

    557,492,516       15,457       149       (176     30       (146     8,192       23,652       47       23,699  
           

 Net earnings

    -       -       -       -       -       -       1,378       1,378       7       1,385  
           

 Other comprehensive income

    -       -       -       128       48       176       -       176       -       176  
           

 Shares repurchased (Note 7)

    (7,648,235     (212     -       -       -       -       (375     (587     -       (587
           

 Dividends declared

    -       -       -       -       -       -       (265     (265     -       (265
           

 Non-controlling interest transactions

    -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -       (11     (11
           

 Effect of share-based compensation including issuance of common shares

    2,275,861       153       (16     -       -       -       -       137       -       137  

 Transfer of net gain on cash flow hedges

    -       -       -       -       (3     (3     -       (3     -       (3

 Transfer of net actuarial gain on defined benefit plans

    -       -       -       -       (1     (1     1       -       -       -  
           

 BALANCE – MARCH 31, 2022

    552,120,142       15,398       133       (48     74       26       8,931       24,488       43       24,531  
(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

 

25


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

           March 31            December 31  
As at   Note      2022      2021            2021  
          Note 1       

ASSETS

            

Current assets

            

Cash and cash equivalents

       577        712          499  

Receivables

       6,437        4,271          5,366  

Inventories

       9,068        6,714          6,328  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

             943        778          1,653  
       17,025        12,475          13,846  

Non-current assets

            

Property, plant and equipment

       19,998        19,451          20,016  

Goodwill

       12,287        12,199          12,220  

Other intangible assets

       2,334        2,460          2,340  

Investments

       757        630          703  

Other assets

             867        678          829  

TOTAL ASSETS

             53,268        47,893          49,954  

LIABILITIES

            

Current liabilities

            

Short-term debt

       3,033        252          1,560  

Current portion of long-term debt

       551        14          545  

Current portion of lease liabilities

       293        260          286  

Payables and accrued charges

             11,013        8,742          10,052  
       14,890        9,268          12,443  

Non-current liabilities

            

Long-term debt

       7,519        10,040          7,521  

Lease liabilities

       929        876          934  

Deferred income tax liabilities

    5        3,243        3,168          3,165  

Pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities

       425        456          419  

Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs

       1,523        1,610          1,566  

Other non-current liabilities

             208        136          207  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

             28,737        25,554          26,255  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

            

Share capital

    7        15,398        15,722          15,457  

Contributed surplus

       133        202          149  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

       26        (98        (146

Retained earnings

             8,931        6,471          8,192  

Equity holders of Nutrien

       24,488        22,297          23,652  

Non-controlling interest

             43        42          47  

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

             24,531        22,339          23,699  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

             53,268        47,893          49,954  

 

  (See

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

26


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

 

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

As at and for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

NOTE 1  BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Nutrien Ltd. (collectively with its subsidiaries, known as “Nutrien”, “we”, “us”, “our” or “the Company”) is the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. Nutrien plays a critical role in helping growers around the globe increase food production in a sustainable manner.

These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements (“interim financial statements”) are based on International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”. The accounting policies and methods of computation used in preparing these interim financial statements are materially consistent with those used in the preparation of our 2021 annual consolidated financial statements. These interim financial statements include the accounts of Nutrien and its subsidiaries; however, they do not include all disclosures normally provided in annual consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our 2021 annual audited consolidated financial statements.

Certain immaterial 2021 figures have been reclassified in the condensed consolidated balance sheets and segment note.

In management’s opinion, the interim financial statements include all adjustments necessary to fairly present such information in all material respects. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for any other interim period or the fiscal year.

These interim financial statements were authorized by the audit committee of the Board of Directors for issue on May 2, 2022.

NOTE 2  SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company has four reportable operating segments: Nutrien Ag Solutions (“Retail”), Potash, Nitrogen and Phosphate. The Retail segment distributes crop nutrients, crop protection products, seed and merchandise, and it provides services directly to growers through a network of farm centers in North America, South America and Australia. The Potash, Nitrogen and Phosphate segments are differentiated by the chemical nutrient contained in the products that each produce.

 

27


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2022  
      Retail     Potash     Nitrogen     Phosphate      Corporate
and Others
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

 Sales   – third party

     3,833       1,710       1,497       617        -       -       7,657  

             – intersegment

     28       234       339       79        -       (680     -  

 Sales   – total

     3,861       1,944       1,836       696        -       (680     7,657  

 Freight, transportation and distribution

     -       94       95       61        -       (47     203  

 Net sales

     3,861       1,850       1,741       635        -       (633     7,454  

 Cost of goods sold

     3,016       305       881       428        -       (433     4,197  

 Gross margin

     845       1,545       860       207        -       (200     3,257  

 Selling expenses

     722       3       8       2        (2     (6     727  

 General and administrative expenses

     45       2       6       3        70       -       126  

 Provincial mining taxes

     -       249       -       -        -       -       249  

 Share-based compensation expense

     -       -       -       -        135       -       135  

 Other (income) expenses

     (12     (3     (26     4        53       5       21  

 Earnings (loss) before finance costs and
income taxes

     90       1,294       872       198        (256     (199     1,999  

 Depreciation and amortization

     169       112       123       41        16       -       461  

 EBITDA 1

     259       1,406       995       239        (240     (199     2,460  

 Integration and restructuring related costs

     -       -       -       -        9       -       9  

 Share-based compensation expense

     -       -       -       -        135       -       135  

 COVID-19 related expenses

     -       -       -       -        5       -       5  

 Foreign exchange loss, net of
related derivatives

     -       -       -       -        25       -       25  

 Gain on disposal of investment

     (19     -       -       -        -       -       (19

 Adjusted EBITDA

     240       1,406       995       239        (66     (199     2,615  

 Assets – at March 31, 2022

     24,910       13,578       11,512       1,814        2,467       (1,013     53,268  

1  EBITDA is calculated as net earnings (loss) before finance costs, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization.

 

     Three Months Ended March 31, 2021  
      Retail     Potash     Nitrogen     Phosphate      Corporate
and Others
    Eliminations     Consolidated  

 Sales   – third party

     2,960       631       695       372        -       -       4,658  

             – intersegment

     12       90       160       72        -       (334     -  

 Sales   – total

     2,972       721       855       444        -       (334     4,658  

 Freight, transportation and distribution

     -       110       95       59        -       (53     211  

 Net sales

     2,972       611       760       385        -       (281     4,447  

 Cost of goods sold

     2,320       291       610       319        -       (249     3,291  

 Gross margin

     652       320       150       66        -       (32     1,156  

 Selling expenses

     667       3       7       2        (6     -       673  

 General and administrative expenses

     39       2       2       2        58       -       103  

 Provincial mining taxes

     -       58       -       -        -       -       58  

 Share-based compensation expense

     -       -       -       -        23       -       23  

 Other expenses (income)

     15       1       (26     3        28       -       21  

 (Loss) earnings before finance costs and
income taxes

     (69     256       167       59        (103     (32     278  

 Depreciation and amortization

     177       124       129       38        12       -       480  

 EBITDA

     108       380       296       97        (91     (32     758  

 Integration and restructuring related costs

     1       -       -       -        9       -       10  

 Share-based compensation expense

     -       -       -       -        23       -       23  

 Impairment of assets

     -       -       4       -        -       -       4  

 COVID-19 related expenses

     -       -       -       -        9       -       9  

 Foreign exchange loss, net of
related derivatives

     -       -       -       -        2       -       2  

 Adjusted EBITDA

     109       380       300       97        (48     (32     806  

 Assets – at December 31, 2021

     22,387       13,148       11,093       1,699        2,266       (639     49,954  

 

28


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

 

Presented below is revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by product line or geographic location for each reportable segment.

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31

 
     2022   2021  

 Retail sales by product line

   

 Crop nutrients

  1,587     1,016  

 Crop protection products

  1,387     1,085  

 Seed

  458     463  

 Merchandise

  234     230  

 Nutrien Financial

  49     25  

 Services and other 1

  175     165  

 Nutrien Financial elimination 1,2

  (29)     (12
    3,861     2,972  

 Potash sales by geography

   

 Manufactured product

   

 North America

  927     442  

 Offshore 3

  1,017     279  
    1,944     721  

 Nitrogen sales by product line

   

 Manufactured product

   

 Ammonia

  591     188  

 Urea

  484     274  

 Solutions, nitrates and sulfates

  474     197  

 Other nitrogen and purchased products

  287     196  
    1,836     855  

 Phosphate sales by product line

   

 Manufactured product

   

 Fertilizer

  432     272  

 Industrial and feed

  184     126  

 Other phosphate and purchased products

  80     46  
    696     444  

  1  Certain immaterial 2021 figures have been reclassified.

  2  Represents elimination for the interest and service fees charged by Nutrien Financial to Retail branches.

  3  Relates to Canpotex Limited (“Canpotex”) (Note 9) and includes provisional pricing adjustments for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of $62 (2021 – $6)

NOTE 3 SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The following table summarizes the awards granted under our existing share-based compensation plans described in Note 5 of our 2021 annual consolidated financial statements:

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31

 
     2022   2021  

Stock options:

   

Granted (number of units)

  375,483     1,518,490  

Weighted average grant date fair value (US dollars)

  20.49     11.77  

Cash-settled share-based awards granted (number of units) 1

  970,461     1,198,148  
1 For performance share units granted subsequent to January 1, 2022, return on invested capital over a three-year performance cycle is compared to Board-approved targets as an additional performance condition.

 

29


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

 

NOTE 4 OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME)

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31

 
     2022   2021  

 Integration and restructuring related costs

 

9

    10  

 Foreign exchange loss, net of related derivatives

 

25

    2  

 Earnings of equity-accounted investees

 

(41)

    (20

 Bad debt expense

 

-

    2  

 COVID-19 related expenses

 

5

    9  

 Gain on disposal of investment

 

(19)

    -  

 Impairment of assets

 

-

    4  

 Other expenses

 

42

    14  
    21     21  

NOTE 5 INCOME TAXES

A separate estimated average annual effective income tax rate was determined for each taxing jurisdiction and applied individually to the interim period pre-tax earnings for each jurisdiction.

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31

 
     2022   2021  

 Income tax expense

  505     25  

 Actual effective tax rate on earnings (%)

  26     16  

 Actual effective tax rate including discrete items (%)

  27     16  

 Discrete tax adjustments that impacted the tax rate

  8     -  

Income tax balances within the condensed consolidated balance sheets were comprised of the following:

 

 Income Tax Assets and Liabilities    Balance Sheet Location    As at March 31, 2022      As at December 31, 2021  

 Income tax assets

        

 Current

  

Receivables

     299        223  

 Non-current

  

Other assets

     166        166  

 Deferred income tax assets

  

Other assets

     299        262  

 Total income tax assets

          764        651  

 Income tax liabilities

     

 Current

  

Payables and accrued charges

     338        606  

 Non-current

  

Other non-current liabilities

     54        44  

 Deferred income tax liabilities

  

Deferred income tax liabilities

     3,243        3,165  

 Total income tax liabilities

          3,635        3,815  

 

30


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

 

NOTE 6  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Fair Value

Estimated fair values for financial instruments are designed to approximate amounts for which the instruments could be exchanged in a current arm’s-length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties. The valuation policies and procedures for financial reporting purposes are determined by our finance department. There have been no changes to our valuation methods presented in Note 10 of the 2021 annual consolidated financial statements and those valuation methods have been applied in these interim financial statements.

The following table presents our fair value hierarchy for financial instruments carried at fair value on a recurring basis or measured at amortized cost:

 

     March 31, 2022      December 31, 2021  
  Financial assets (liabilities) measured at    Carrying
Amount
    Level 1     Level 2     Level 3      Carrying
Amount
    Level 1     Level 2      Level 3  

 Fair value on a recurring basis 1

                  

    Cash and cash equivalents

     577       -       577       -        499       -       499        -  

    Derivative instrument assets

     26       -       26       -        19       -       19        -  

    Other current financial assets
  - marketable securities 2

     139       20       119       -        134       19       115        -  

    Investments at FVTOCI 3

     275       265       -       10        244       234          10  

    Derivative instrument liabilities

     (42     -       (42     -        (20     -       (20      -  

 Amortized cost

                  

    Current portion of long-term debt

                  

     Notes and debentures

     (500     (502     -       -        (500     (506     -        -  

     Fixed and floating rate debt

     (51     -       (51     -        (45     -       (45      -  

    Long-term debt

                  

     Notes and debentures

     (7,422     (3,403     (4,419     -        (7,424     (4,021     (4,709      -  

     Fixed and floating rate debt

     (97     -       (97     -        (97     -       (97      -  

1  During the periods ended March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, there were no transfers between levelling for financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

2  Marketable securities consist of equity and fixed income securities. We determine the fair value of equity securities based on the bid price of identical instruments in active markets. We value fixed income securities using quoted prices of instruments with similar terms and credit risk.

3  Investments at fair value through other comprehensive income (“FVTOCI”) is primarily comprised of shares in Sinofert Holdings Ltd.

 

 

 

 

31


Unaudited   In millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted  

 

NOTE 7  SHARE CAPITAL

Share Repurchase Programs

 

      Commencement
Date
     Expiry      Maximum
Shares for
Repurchase
     Maximum
Shares for
Repurchase (%)
     Number of
Shares
Repurchased
 

  2020 Normal Course Issuer Bid

     February 27, 2020        February 26, 2021        28,572,458        5        710,100  

  2021 Normal Course Issuer Bid

     March 1, 2021        February 28, 2022        28,468,448        5        15,982,154  

  2022 Normal Course Issuer Bid 1

     March 1, 2022        February 28, 2023        55,111,110                                   10        7,648,235  

1  The 2022 normal course issuer bid will expire earlier than the date above if we acquire the maximum number of common shares allowable or otherwise decide not to make any further repurchases.

 

Purchases under the normal course issuer bids were, or may be, made through open market purchases at market prices as well as by other means permitted by applicable securities laws, including private agreements.

The following table summarizes our share repurchase activities during the period:

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31

 

 

  2022           2021  
  Number of common shares repurchased for cancellation   7,648,235     14,978  
  Average price per share (US dollars)   76.79     52.93  

  Total cost

 

 

587

 

   

 

1

 

 

 

As of April 29, 2022, an additional 1,423,389 common shares were repurchased for cancellation at a cost of $150 and an average price per share of $105.38.

Dividends Declared

We declared a dividend per share of $0.48 (2021 – $0.46) during the three months ended March 31, 2022, payable on April 14, 2022 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2022.

NOTE 8  SEASONALITY

Seasonality in our business results from increased demand for products during planting season. Crop input sales are generally higher in spring and fall application seasons. Crop input inventories are normally accumulated leading up to each application season. The results of this seasonality have a corresponding effect on receivables from customers and rebates receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets and trade payables. Our short-term debt also fluctuates during the year to meet working capital needs. Our cash collections generally occur after the application season is complete, while customer prepayments made to us are typically concentrated in December and January and inventory prepayments paid to our suppliers are typically concentrated in the period from November to January. Feed and industrial sales are more evenly distributed throughout the year.

NOTE 9  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

We sell potash outside Canada and the United States exclusively through Canpotex. Canpotex sells potash to buyers in export markets pursuant to term and spot contracts at agreed upon prices. Our revenue is recognized at the amount received from Canpotex representing proceeds from their sale of potash, less net costs of Canpotex. Sales to Canpotex are shown in Note 2.

 

  As at    March 31, 2022      December 31, 2021

  Receivables from Canpotex

   951      828

 

32