Bunge Limited News
Bunge Reports Second Quarter Results
— Total segment EBIT reached $1,078 million — Agribusiness results were strong across the business — Fertilizer benefited from the strong global agricultural environment — The Company is increasing its full year 2008 earnings guidance by $2.25 per share Financial Highlights (In millions, except per share data and percentages) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended 6/30/08 6/30/07 % Change 6/30/08 6/30/07 % Change Volumes (metric tons) 36,318 35,441 2 % 67,281 65,153 3 % Net sales $14,365 $8,298 73 % $26,834 $15,641 72 % Total segment EBIT (1,2) $1,078 $250 331 % $1,520 $302 403 % Agribusiness $614 $143 329 % $865 $130 565 % Fertilizer $393 $71 454 % $526 $107 392 % Edible Oil Products $15 $6 150 % $65 $24 171 % Milling products $56 $30 87 % $64 $41 56 % Net income (2) $751 $168 347 % $1,040 $182 471 % Earnings per common share-diluted (2,3) $5.45 $1.30 319 % $7.56 $1.35 460 %
(1) Total segment earnings before interest and tax ("EBIT") is a non-GAAP financial measure. The information required by Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including a reconciliation to net income, is included in the tables attached to this press release.
(2) Bunge's results included certain gains and charges that may be of interest to investors. See the Additional Financial Information section included in the tables attached to this press release for more information.
(3) See Note 1 to the consolidated statements of income attached to this press release for information on the calculation of diluted earnings per share.
Overview
"The quarter saw the announcement of our agreement to combine with Corn Products. The transaction, which we expect to close in the fourth quarter, will expand our operations into the highly complementary corn wet milling value chain. It will provide new opportunities for growth and a more diverse revenue stream by broadening Bunge's product portfolio and by providing access to new geographic markets.
"Over the past several years, crop production has not kept pace with overall demand, which is driven primarily by the steady trends of global population growth and rising living standards in developing economies. Current agricultural commodity prices reflect this fact, as well as the higher cost of energy. The world needs a greater supply of grains and oilseeds, and in the near term crop prices should remain at levels that provide an incentive to farmers to produce larger harvests. This should lead to strong demand for fertilizer in regions with the greatest potential for agricultural expansion, such as
"Meeting the long-term challenge of supplying a growing world with ample supplies of affordable food will require not only greater crop production, but efficient distribution and processing. As the world consumes greater volumes of agricultural commodities and food products, the value of these services should increase. Providing them is Bunge's role, and we will continue to invest to meet that responsibility effectively and profitably.
"The billions of dollars we reinvest in our operations, whether in the form of working capital to buy farmers' crops or in new assets, such as port terminals, processing plants, fertilizer mines and milling facilities, creates economic benefits for Bunge and the food production chain in general.
"We recently announced plans for significant new investments in the Brazilian fertilizer industry. Along with Fosfertil, Bunge will invest approximately
Agribusiness
During the quarter, oilseed processing, grain origination and distribution results benefited from higher margins around the world. Risk management strategies worked well during a volatile period.
Second quarter results included a
Fertilizer
The excellent performance in fertilizer was due to strong farmer demand and margins. Retail volumes were higher in the quarter due to product sales for soybean and corn plantings, which historically are purchased in the second half of the year. Soybean and corn farmers accelerated purchases because of favorable agricultural commodity prices and concerns about increasing crop input costs. Fosfertil volumes were lower compared to a strong period last year when it benefited from the retail industry restocking inventories. Minority interest increased in the quarter due to higher results at Fosfertil.
Edible Oil Products
Excluding a
Milling Products
Stronger results were largely due to improved margins in wheat milling.
Second quarter results included an
Financial Costs
Interest expense increased due to higher average borrowings, mostly resulting from the higher prices of agricultural commodity inventories which drove higher average working capital levels.
Foreign exchange gains, incurred primarily on the net U.S. dollar-denominated monetary liability positions of Bunge's Brazilian and Argentine subsidiaries, were
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the six months ended
Cash Flow
Cash used by operations in the second quarter of 2008 was
Outlook
Conference Call and Webcast Details
Bunge Limited's management will host a conference call at
Additionally, a slide presentation to accompany the discussion of the second quarter financial results can be found in the 'Investor Information' section of our Web site, www.Bunge.com, under 'Investor Presentations'.
To listen to the conference call, please dial (877) 857-6177. If you are located outside of
To access the webcast, click the "News and Information" link on the Bunge homepage then select "Webcasts and Upcoming Events". Click on the link for the "Q2 2008 Bunge Limited Conference Call," and follow the prompts to join the call. Please go to the Web site at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register and to download and install any necessary audio software.
For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the call will be available following the call and continuing through
About Bunge Limited
Bunge Limited (www.Bunge.com, NYSE: BG) is a leading global agribusiness and food company founded in 1818 and headquartered in
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations and projections about our future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. We have tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words including "may," "will," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "estimate," "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities, as well as those of the markets we serve or intend to serve, to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. The following important factors, among others, could affect our business and financial performance: our ability to complete, integrate and benefit from acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and strategic alliances; estimated demand for the commodities and other products that we sell and use in our business; industry conditions, including the cyclicality of the agribusiness industry and unpredictability of the weather; agricultural, economic and political conditions in the primary markets where we operate; and other economic, business, competitive and/or regulatory factors affecting our business generally. The forward-looking statements included in this release are made only as of the date of this release, and except as otherwise required by federal securities law, we do not have any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Additional Information
On
Neither Bunge nor Corn Products is currently engaged in a solicitation of proxies from the securityholders of Bunge or Corn Products in connection with the proposed merger. If a proxy solicitation commences, Bunge, Corn Products and their respective directors, executive officers and other employees may be deemed to be participants in such solicitation. Information about Bunge's directors and executive officers is available in Bunge's proxy statement, dated
Additional Financial Information
The following table provides a summary of certain gains and charges that may be of interest to investors. The table includes a description of these items and their effect on total earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), income from operations before income tax, net income and earnings per share for the quarter and six months ended
Income From Operations (In millions, except Before Earnings Per per share data) Total EBIT Income Tax Net Income Share Diluted Quarter Ended June 30: 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 Transactional tax credit (1) $128 $ - $128 $ - $90 $ - $0.65 $ - Gain on sale of land (2) 14 - 14 - 9 - 0.07 - Impairment and restructuring charges (3) - (8) - (8) - (7) - (0.05) Total $142 $(8) $142 $(8) $99 $(7) $0.72 $(0.05) Income From Operations (In millions, except Before Earnings Per per share data) Total EBIT Income Tax Net Income Share Diluted Six Months Ended June 30: 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 2008 2007 Transactional tax credit (1) $128 $ - $128 $ - $90 $ - $0.65 $ - Gain on sale of land (2) 14 - 14 - 9 - 0.07 - Impairment and restructuring charges (3) - (8) - (8) - (7) - (0.06) Total $142 $(8) $142 $(8) $99 $(7) $0.72 $(0.06)
(1) In the second quarter of 2008, Bunge received a favorable ruling related to certain transactional taxes in
(2) In the second quarter, Bunge recorded a gain on sale of land in its edible oil products segment.
(3) Impairment and restructuring charges in the quarter and six months ended
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (In millions, except per share data and percentages) (Unaudited) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, Percent June 30, Percent 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change Net sales (Note 1) $14,365 $8,298 73 % $26,834 $15,641 72 % Cost of goods sold (Note 1) (12,914) (7,766) 66 % (24,516) (14,809) 66 % Gross profit 1,451 532 173 % 2,318 832 179 % Selling, general and administrative expenses (460) (307) 50 % (862) (572) 51 % Interest income 54 37 46 % 102 68 50 % Interest expense (57) (51) 12 % (125) (92) 36 % Interest expense on readily marketable inventories (33) (28) 18 % (63) (57) 11 % Foreign exchange gain (loss) 258 93 177 % 265 122 117 % Other income (expense) . net (9) 1 (1000)% (12) 3 (500)% Income from operations before income tax 1,204 277 335 % 1,623 304 434 % Income tax expense (337) (70) (454) (76) Income from operations after income tax 867 207 319 % 1,169 228 413 % Minority interest (109) (35) 211 % (142) (47) 202 % Equity in earnings (loss) of affiliates (7) (4) 75 % 13 1 1200 % Net income 751 168 347 % 1,040 182 471 % Convertible preference share dividends (20) (9) (39) (17) Net income available to common shareholders $731 $159 360 % $1,001 $165 507 % Earnings per common share - diluted (Note 2): $5.45 $1.30 319 % $7.56 $1.35 460 % Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (Note 2) 137,788,430 129,487,981 137,586,015 121,814,664
Note 1: Net sales and cost of goods sold for the quarter and six months ended
Note 2: Weighted-average common shares outstanding-diluted for the quarter ended
CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT INFORMATION (In millions, except volumes and percentages) (Unaudited)
Set forth below is a summary of certain items in our consolidated statements of income and volumes by reportable segment.
Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, Percent June 30, Percent 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change Volumes (in thousands of metric tons): Agribusiness 30,906 30,000 3 % 56,818 55,093 3 % Fertilizer 3,000 3,045 (1)% 5,666 5,496 3 % Edible oil products 1,438 1,388 4 % 2,829 2,651 7 % Milling products 974 1,008 (3)% 1,968 1,913 3 % Total 36,318 35,441 2 % 67,281 65,153 3 % Net sales (Note 1): Agribusiness $9,879 $5,935 66 % $18,742 $11,291 66 % Fertilizer 1,785 798 124 % 2,976 1,407 112 % Edible oil products 2,250 1,262 78 % 4,179 2,383 75 % Milling products 451 303 49 % 937 560 67 % Total $14,365 $8,298 73 % $26,834 $15,641 72 % Gross profit: Agribusiness $745 $263 183 % $1,209 $373 224 % Fertilizer 521 157 232 % 771 237 225 % Edible oil products 105 76 38 % 222 153 45 % Milling products 80 36 122 % 116 69 68 % Total $1,451 $532 173 % $2,318 $832 179 % Selling, general and administrative expenses: Agribusiness $(247) $(143) 73 % $(467) $(278) 68 % Fertilizer (90) (69) 30 % (165) (117) 41 % Edible oil products (96) (73) 32 % (176) (137) 28 % Milling products (27) (22) 23 % (54) (40) 35 % Total $(460) $(307) 50 % $(862) $(572) 51 % Foreign exchange gain (loss): Agribusiness $165 $43 $159 $49 Fertilizer 92 35 101 61 Edible oil products 1 (1) 5 - Milling products - 14 - 12 Total $258 $91 $265 $122 Equity in earnings of affiliates: Agribusiness $(7) $(9) (22)% $2 $(8) 125 % Fertilizer 3 (3) 200 % 4 (1) 500 % Edible oil products (6) 6 (200)% 5 10 (50)% Milling products 3 2 50 % 2 - 100 % Total $(7) $(4) (75)% $13 $1 1200 % Minority interest: Agribusiness $(21) $(11) 91 % $(17) $(11) 55 % Fertilizer (132) (52) 154 % (182) (73) 149 % Edible oil products (2) - 100 % (3) - 100 % Milling products - - - % - - - % Total $(155) $(63) 146 % $(202) $(84) 140 % Other non-operating income/(expense): Agribusiness $(21) $- (100)% $(21) $5 (520)% Fertilizer (1) 3 (133)% (3) - (100)% Edible oil products 13 (2) 750 % 12 (2) 700 % Milling products - - - % - - - % Total $(9) $1 (1000)% $(12) $3 (500)% Segment earnings before interest and tax: Agribusiness $614 $143 329 % $865 $130 565 % Fertilizer 393 71 454 % 526 107 392 % Edible oil products 15 6 150 % 65 24 171 % Milling products 56 30 87 % 64 41 56 % Total (Note 2) $1,078 $250 331 % $1,520 $302 403 % Reconciliation of total segment earnings before interest and tax: Total segment earnings before interest and tax $1,078 $250 $1,520 $302 Interest income 54 37 102 68 Interest expense (90) (79) (188) (149) Income tax (337) (70) (454) (76) Minority interest share of interest and tax 46 28 60 37 Other (Note 3) - 2 - - Net income $751 $168 $1,040 $182 Depreciation, depletion and amortization: Agribusiness $(51) $(39) 31 % $(96) $(73) 32 % Fertilizer (44) (36) 22 % (86) (70) 23 % Edible oil products (20) (12) 67 % (36) (26) 38 % Milling products (4) (3) 33 % (9) (7) 29 % Total $(119) $(90) 32 % $(227) $(176) 29 % Interest income: Agribusiness $15 $7 114 % $31 $14 121 % Fertilizer 30 17 76 % 52 31 68 % Edible oil products 1 - 100 % 2 1 100 % Milling products - - - % 1 1 - % Total $46 $24 92 % $86 $47 83 % Interest expense: Agribusiness $(62) $(67) (7)% $(138) $(121) 14 % Fertilizer (6) (3) 100 % (9) (10) (10)% Edible oil products (20) (8) 150 % (30) (16) 88 % Milling products (2) (1) 100 % (11) (2) 450 % Total $(90) $(79) 14 % $(188) $(149) 26 %
Note 1: Net sales and cost of goods sold for the quarter ended
Note 2: Total segment earnings before interest and tax ("EBIT") is a non-GAAP measure and is not intended to replace net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The information required by Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the reconciliation to net income, is included under the caption "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures."
Note 3: Includes other amounts not directly attributable to Bunge's segments.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In millions) (Unaudited) June 30, December 31, June 30, 2008 2007 2007 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $1,100 $981 $466 Trade accounts receivable 3,501 2,541 2,490 Inventories 8,792 5,924 4,839 Deferred income taxes 234 219 136 Other current assets 5,881 4,853 3,529 Total current assets 19,508 14,518 11,460 Property, plant and equipment, net 4,712 4,216 3,739 Goodwill 409 354 249 Other intangible assets, net 162 139 105 Investments in affiliates 801 706 665 Deferred income taxes 939 903 909 Other non-current assets 1,131 1,155 902 Total assets $27,662 $21,991 $18,029 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Short-term debt $1,426 $590 $833 Current portion of long-term debt 593 522 96 Trade accounts payable 5,503 4,061 2,984 Deferred income taxes 143 166 70 Other current liabilities 4,624 3,495 2,618 Total current liabilities 12,289 8,834 6,601 Long-term debt 3,727 3,435 3,670 Deferred income taxes 149 149 193 Other non-current liabilities 1,146 876 911 Minority interest in subsidiaries 876 752 506 Shareholders' equity 9,475 7,945 6,148 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $27,662 $21,991 $18,029 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In millions) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2008 2007 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $1,040 $182 Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash (used for) provided by operating activities: Foreign exchange gain on debt (295) (92) Impairment of assets 5 8 Bad debt expense 50 16 Depreciation, depletion and amortization 227 176 Stock-based compensation expense 40 20 Recoverable tax provision (9) - Deferred income taxes 22 (87) Minority interest 142 47 Equity in earnings of affiliates (13) (1) Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the effects of acquisitions: Trade accounts receivable (658) (447) Inventories (2,362) (932) Prepaid commodity purchase contracts 38 (117) Secured advances to suppliers 169 128 Trade accounts payable 924 421 Advances on sales 111 (24) Unrealized net gain on derivative contracts (208) (29) Margin deposits (82) (49) Accrued liabilities 55 (22) Other - net 321 26 Cash used for operating activities (483) (776) INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments made for capital expenditures (372) (210) Investments in affiliates (79) (26) Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired (19) (2) Related party loans (48) 3 Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment 28 14 Proceeds from investment 2 - Cash used for investing activities (488) (221) FINANCING ACTIVITIES Net change in short-term debt with maturities of 90 days or less (42) 255 Proceeds from short-term debt with maturities greater than 90 days 1,143 369 Repayments of short-term debt with maturities greater than 90 days (294) (267) Proceeds from long-term debt 1,353 1,572 Repayments of long-term debt (1,032) (807) Proceeds from sale of common shares 30 20 Dividends paid to common shareholders (41) (39) Dividends paid to preference shareholders (42) (17) Dividends paid to minority interest (63) (7) Cash provided by financing activities 1,012 1,079 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 78 19 Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 119 101 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 981 365 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $1,100 $466
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
This earnings release contains total segment earnings before interest and tax, net financial debt and net financial debt less readily marketable inventories, which are "non-GAAP financial measures" as this term is defined in Regulation G of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. In accordance with Regulation G, Bunge has reconciled these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measures.
Total segment earnings before interest and tax
Total segment earnings before interest and tax ("EBIT") is Bunge's consolidated net income that excludes interest income and expense and income tax attributable to each segment.
Total segment EBIT is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not intended to replace net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Total segment EBIT is an operating performance measure used by Bunge's management to evaluate its segments' operating activities. Bunge believes EBIT is a useful measure of its segments' operating profitability, since the measure reflects equity in earnings of affiliates and minority interest and excludes income tax. Income tax is excluded as management believes income tax is not material to the operating performance of its segments. Interest income and expense have become less meaningful to the segments' operating activities as Bunge is financing more of its working capital with equity rather than debt. In addition, EBIT is a financial measure that is widely used by analysts and investors in Bunge's industries. Total segment EBIT is not a measure of consolidated operating results under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to net income or any other measure of consolidated operating results under U.S. GAAP.
Below is a reconciliation of total segment EBIT to net income: Quarter Ended Six Months Ended June 30, June 30, (In millions) 2008 2007 2008 2007 Total segment EBIT $1,078 $250 $1,520 $302 Interest income 54 37 102 68 Interest expense (90) (79) (188) (149) Income tax (337) (70) (454) (76) Minority interest share of interest and tax 46 28 60 37 Other (1) . 2 . - Net income $751 $168 $1,040 $182 (1) Includes other amounts not directly attributable to Bunge's segments.
Net Financial Debt
Net financial debt is the sum of short-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt and long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities. Net financial debt is presented because management believes it represents a meaningful measure of Bunge's leverage capacity and solvency. Net financial debt is not a measure of solvency under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to total debt as a measure of solvency.
Net financial debt less readily marketable inventories (RMI), or net financial debt less RMI, is the sum of short-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt and long-term debt, less cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and readily marketable inventories. Net financial debt less RMI is presented because management believes it represents a more complete picture of Bunge's leverage capacity and solvency since it adjusts for readily marketable inventories. Readily marketable inventories are agricultural inventories that are readily convertible to cash because of their commodity characteristics, widely available markets and international pricing mechanisms. Net financial debt less RMI is not a measure of leverage capacity and solvency under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative to total debt as a measure of solvency.
Below is a reconciliation of total long-term and short-term debt to net financial debt and to net financial debt less readily marketable inventories:
June 30, December 31, June 30, (In millions) 2008 2007 2007 Short-term debt $1,426 $590 $833 Long-term debt, including current portion 4,320 3,957 3,766 Total debt (1) 5,746 4,547 4,599 Less: Cash and cash equivalents (1) 1,100 981 466 Marketable securities 40 5 15 Net financial debt 4,606 3,561 4,118 Less: Readily marketable inventories 5,332 3,358 3,227 Net financial debt less readily marketable inventories $(726) $203 $891
(1) Includes total debt of
SOURCE Bunge Limited
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