Cargill reports one of its best results for fiscal 2018

Cargill reported $3.2 billion in adjusted operating earnings for the 2018 fiscal year, one of its best performances. The fourth quarter also was very strong.

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Cargill reported $3.2 billion in adjusted operating earnings for the 2018 fiscal year, one of its best annual performances. The fourth quarter also was very strong for the company.

The company’s improved financial results over the past two years are the outcome of significant efforts by its teams to redefine how Cargill operates. The organization runs today with greater agility and stronger integration to serve customers’ rapidly changing needs, the company stated.

Key results for the quarter and fiscal year ended May 31, 2018, include:

Fourth quarter:

  • Adjusted operating earnings totaled $809 million, a 76 percent jump from $460 million a year ago.
  • Net earnings on a U.S. GAAP basis were $711 million, more than double that of last year’s $347 million.
  • Revenues increased 7 percent to $30.4 billion. 

Full year:

  • Adjusted operating earnings reached $3.2 billion, up 6 percent from last year’s strong comparative of $3.04 billion.
  • Net earnings equaled $3.1 billion, a 9 percent increase and the third straight year of improved performance on a U.S. GAAP basis.
  • Both adjusted and net earnings included a provisional net charge of $86 million related to the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in December 2017. This represents a decrease from the estimate provided in the company’s third-quarter release.
  • Revenues grew 5 percent to $114.7 billion.
  • Cash flow from operations increased 11 percent to $5.22 billion.

“Our strong results show we are creating the connections the world needs for vibrant food and agriculture both today and tomorrow,” said David MacLennan, Cargill’s chairman and CEO. “Cargill has always moved food from where it is produced to where it is needed. Today, we are pioneering new capabilities and partnerships to invest for the future. We are innovating alongside our customers to develop healthy, delicious products made the way consumers want. We are working with farmers and others to implement sustainable agricultural practices. And we are standing up for inclusive global trade that lets food move freely.”

Segment results

The Animal Nutrition & Protein segment surpassed last year’s strong results, making the segment the largest contributor to Cargill’s adjusted operating earnings in the fourth quarter and the full year. The protein business delivered an exceptional performance, fueled by rising domestic and export demand for North American beef and steady expansion in value-added egg products. Global growth in feed additives, micronutrients and premixes for customized animal nutrition also boosted earnings for the year. Excess supplies of chicken relative to domestic demand in Thailand contributed to a moderate decrease in global poultry results in both periods.

During the year, the segment invested significantly to serve growing demand for protein. It acquired Pollos El Bucanero, a leading retail-branded poultry business in Colombia. It formed U.K.-based Avara Foods, a fresh poultry joint venture, and opened a major poultry processing plant in the Philippines with Jollibee Foods. In the U.S., the segment expanded facilities for fresh ground beef, and cooked meat and eggs.

In animal nutrition, Cargill acquired U.S.-based Diamond V and invested in Austria-based Delacon; they are the respective leaders in improving animal health through fermentation- and plant-based feed additives. The segment purchased Integral Animal Nutrition, a Brazilian producer of cattle mineral feeds. In the U.S., it bought Pro-Pet, a private-label pet food maker, and the animal feed business of Southern States Cooperative. Across Asia, it added to its existing network of feed mills and opened technical application centers supporting aqua nutrition in India and Vietnam. It also invested in Dublin-based Cainthus, an animal facial recognition startup, and broadened its farm management software offerings; both will give farmers a digital boost to their productivity and profitability.

The Origination & Processing segment exceeded last year’s quarterly and annual results, putting up its best fourth quarter in seven years. For most of fiscal 2018, rising demand for grains and oilseeds was muted by big crops, building stocks and low market volatility. Toward year-end, this changed, as drought in Argentina and other market forces began to influence global flows of corn, soybeans and related products. With markets moving and prices coming off lows, the segment improved origination, processing and trading results in key geographies.

Through investments in technology, the segment is better connecting its global operations and supply chains, strengthening its trading and analytical edge, and bringing greater insight to customers. During the year, it broke ground on a new biodiesel facility in Kansas, and expanded and modernized several oilseed processing plants in Brazil and the U.S. As fiscal 2019 began, it formed a joint venture to meet increasing demand for soybean meal and oil in Egypt.

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