EX-99.1 2 c74052exv99w1.htm EXHIBIT 99.1 Filed by Bowne Pure Compliance
(TERRA LETTERHEAD)
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. reports second quarter results;
declares cash distribution
Sioux City, Iowa (July 24, 2008)—Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. (TNCLP) (NYSE: TNH) today reported net income of $130.2 million, $74.2 million of which is allocable to Common Units ($4.01 per Common Unit), on revenues of $256.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008. This compares with net income of $57.1 million ($3.02 per Common Unit) on revenues of $177.4 million for the 2007 second quarter. For the 2008 first half, TNCLP reported net income of $211.8 million, $146.9 million of which is allocable to Common Units ($7.94 per Common Unit), on revenues of $431.2 million, compared to net income of $92.4 million ($4.89 per Common Unit) on revenues of $305.6 million for the 2007 first half.
TNCLP also announced a cash distribution for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, of $3.63 per common limited partnership unit payable Aug. 28, 2008, to holders of record as of Aug. 8, 2008. Cash distributions depend on TNCLP’s earnings, which can be affected by nitrogen selling prices, natural gas costs, seasonal demand factors, production levels and weather, cash requirements for working capital needs, and capital expenditures. Cash distributions per limited partnership unit also vary based on increasing amounts allocable to the General Partner when cumulative distributions exceed targeted levels. Those targeted levels were attained in the 2008 first quarter.
Analysis of results
Second quarter
TNCLP’s second quarter earnings improvement over last year was due to higher nitrogen products selling prices and higher ammonia sales volumes, partially offset by lower urea ammonium nitrate solutions (UAN) sales volumes and higher natural gas costs. Strong commodity grain prices supported continued strong U.S. nitrogen demand in the 2008 second quarter, contributing to the improved selling prices. UAN sales volumes were affected by an approximately 6 percent reduction in U.S. corn planted acres due to a cold, wet spring and flooding in the Midwest. From the 2007 to the 2008 second quarter, TNCLP’s:
    Ammonia and UAN selling prices increased by 45 and 46 percent, respectively.
    Ammonia sales volumes increased by 22 percent and UAN sales volumes decreased by 6 percent.
    Natural gas unit costs increased by 13 percent.

 

 


 

First half
TNCLP’s first half earnings improvement over last year was due to higher nitrogen products selling prices, partially offset by lower sales volumes and higher natural gas costs. Year-to-date results were affected by generally the same factors as those affecting the second quarter. From the 2007 to the 2008 first half, TNCLP’s:
    Ammonia and UAN selling prices increased by 47 and 49 percent, respectively.
    Ammonia and UAN sales volumes decreased by 6 and 3 percent, respectively.
    Natural gas unit costs increased by 12 percent.
Forward natural gas position
TNCLP’s forward purchase contracts at June 30, 2008, fixed prices for about 44 percent of its next 12 months’ natural gas requirements at $32.6 million below published forward markets at that date. TNCLP has entered into these forward gas positions to secure margins on nitrogen products sold forward at fixed prices.
About TNCLP
Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. is a leading manufacturer of nitrogen fertilizer products.
Forward-looking statement
Certain statements in this news release may constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak only as of the date they were made and TNCLP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These include, among others, statements relating to:
    financial markets,
    general economic conditions within the agricultural industry,
    competitive factors and price changes (principally, sales prices of nitrogen products and natural gas costs),
    product mix,
    the seasonality of demand patterns,
    weather conditions,
    environmental and other government regulation, and
    agricultural regulations.
Additional information as to these factors can be found in TNCLP’s 2007 Annual Report/10-K, in the sections entitled “Business,” “Legal Proceedings,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.
# # #
Note: Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. news announcements are also available on Terra Industries’ Web site, www.terraindustries.com.
(Tables follow)

 

 


 

Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands except per-unit amounts)
(unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
Product revenues
  $ 256,792     $ 177,158     $ 431,045     $ 305,010  
Other income
    (121 )     282       158       587  
 
                       
Total revenues
    256,671       177,440       431,203       305,597  
 
                       
Cost of goods sold
    121,861       114,111       213,832       204,881  
Total gross profit
    134,810       63,329       217,371       100,716  
Operating expenses
    6,113       7,470       9,637       10,648  
Interest expense—net
    (1,458 )     (1,198 )     (4,017 )     (2,319 )
 
                       
Net income
    130,155       57,057       211,751       92,387  
 
                       
Net income allocable to Common Units
    74,185       55,916       146,889       90,540  
 
                       
Earnings per Common Unit
  $ 4.01     $ 3.02     $ 7.94     $ 4.89  
 
                       
Nitrogen Volumes and Prices
Note: All UAN data for 2008 and 2007 are expressed on a 32% nitrogen basis.
                                 
    2008     2007  
    Sales     Average     Sales     Average  
    Volumes     Unit Price     Volumes     Unit Price  
    (000 tons)     ($/ton) 1     (000 tons)     ($/ton) 1  
Second quarter
                               
Ammonia
    116       555       95       382  
UAN
    521       336       552       230  
 
                               
First half
                               
Ammonia
    154       546       164       371  
UAN
    1,023       309       1,054       207  
Natural Gas Costs/MMBtu2
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2008     2007     2008     2007  
 
  $ 7.59     $ 6.72     $ 7.37     $ 6.56  
     
1.   After deducting outbound freight costs.
 
2.   Including effect of forward natural gas position.

 

 


 

Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)
(unaudited)
                 
    June 30,  
    2008     2007  
ASSETS
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 161,320     $ 80,732  
Demand deposit with affiliate
    2,639       5,332  
Accounts receivable
    50,700       49,999  
Inventories
    36,960       22,542  
Other current assets
    42,505       2,471  
 
           
 
               
Total current assets
    294,124       161,076  
 
               
Property, plant and equipment, net
    70,374       72,250  
Other assets
    15,471       13,749  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 379,969     $ 247,075  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 52,719     $ 47,481  
Customer prepayments
    41,471       16,846  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    94,190       64,327  
 
               
Other liabilities
    1,220       1,815  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    95,410       66,142  
 
               
PARTNERS’ EQUITY
    284,559       180,933  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and partners’ equity
  $ 379,969     $ 247,075