| Investor Contact: | Mark Haden |
| | Bunge Limited |
| | 914-684-3398 |
| | Mark.Haden@Bunge.com |
| | | | | |
| | | | Media Contact: | Stewart Lindsay |
| | | | | Bunge Limited |
| | | | | 914-684-3369 Stewart.Lindsay@Bunge.com |
| | | | | |
| | | | | www.bunge.com |
| | | | | |
Bunge Reports Second Quarter Results
White Plains, NY – July 24, 2008 – Bunge Limited (NYSE:BG)
| · | 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 |
(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.
Alberto Weisser, Bunge’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated, “The second quarter was characterized by good demand and strong margins. Bunge’s outstanding performance is a reflection of our skilled team and the value of our global and integrated network of operations.
“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 Brazil. At the same time, a high price, volatile environment will require disciplined use of working capital and effective risk management.
“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 $2 billion in coming years to expand our local production of phosphate rock and intermediate fertilizer products. This will increase Bunge’s internal supply and reduce Brazil’s need to import fertilizer raw materials.
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 $117 million credit resulting from a favorable ruling related to certain transactional taxes in Brazil.
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 $14 million land sale, results declined primarily due to high raw material costs in Europe. Equity in earnings of affiliates decreased in the quarter due to lower results at Saipol, our French packaged oil joint-venture.
Milling Products
Stronger results were largely due to improved margins in wheat milling.
Second quarter results included an $11 million credit resulting from a favorable ruling related to certain transactional taxes in Brazil.
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 $258 million in the second quarter of 2008. These gains largely offset the negative impact of foreign exchange on the valuation of inventories included in gross profit.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2008 was 28% compared to 25% for the same period in 2007. The increase in the effective tax rate was primarily due to increases in operating earnings in higher tax jurisdictions.
Cash Flow
Cash used by operations in the second quarter of 2008 was $130 million compared to cash used by operations in the same period last year of $594 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2008, cash used by operations was $483 million compared to cash used by operations in the same period last year of $776 million. Improved year-over-year performance, despite the significant rise in commodity prices, reflects higher earnings and actions taken to increase the efficiency of working capital management.
Jacqualyn Fouse, Chief Financial Officer, stated, “Looking to the second half of the year, fertilizer fundamentals should remain strong. While growth in demand for some agricultural products may soften slightly due to the sustained period of high prices, agribusiness margins should be solid. Edible oils should improve from its performance in this quarter. In consideration of this outlook, we are increasing our 2008 full-year earnings guidance from $9.35 to $9.65 per share to $11.60 to $11.90 per share. This guidance assumes an effective tax rate range of 24-28%. This fully diluted per share guidance is based on an estimated weighted average of 138 million shares outstanding, which includes assumed dilution relating to our convertible preference shares.”
Conference Call and Webcast Details
Bunge Limited's management will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, July 24, 2008, to discuss the company's results.
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 the United States or Canada, dial (719) 325-4769. Please dial in five to 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. When prompted, enter confirmation code 3152490. The conference call will also be available live on the company's Web site at www.Bunge.com.
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 August 23, 2008. To listen to the replay, please dial (888) 203-1112, or, if located outside of the United States or Canada, dial (719) 457-0820. When prompted, enter confirmation code 3152490. A rebroadcast of the conference call will also be available on the company's Web site. To locate the rebroadcast on the Web site, click on the “News and Information” link on the Bunge homepage then select "Audio Archives" from the left-hand menu. Select the link for the "Q2 2008 Bunge Limited Conference Call". Follow the prompts to access the replay.
About Bunge Limited
Bunge Limited (www.Bunge.com, NYSE: BG) is a leading global agribusiness and food company founded in 1818 and headquartered in White Plains, New York. Bunge’s over 25,000 employees in over 30 countries enhance lives by improving the global agribusiness and food production chain. The company supplies fertilizer to farmers in South America, originates, transports and processes oilseeds, grains and other agricultural commodities worldwide, produces food products for commercial customers and consumers and supplies raw materials and services to the biofuels industry.
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 June 21, 2008, Bunge and Corn Products International, Inc. (Corn Products) entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which Bunge will acquire Corn Products. This press release is not a substitute for the joint proxy statement/prospectus and any other documents Bunge Limited and Corn Products International, Inc. intend to file with the
SEC in connection with the proposed merger. Investors and securityholders are urged to carefully read the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available, because it will contain important information. The joint proxy statement/prospectus will be, and other documents filed or to be filed by Bunge and Corn Products with the SEC are or will be, available free of charge at the SEC’s web site (www.sec.gov), by accessing Bunge’s website at www.bunge.com under the tab “About Bunge” and then under the heading “Investor Information” and from Bunge by directing a request to Bunge Limited, 50 Main Street, White Plains, NY 10606, Attention: Investor Relations, and by accessing Corn Products’ website at www.cornproducts.com under the tab “Investors” and then under the heading “Financial Reports” and then under the heading “SEC Filings” and from Corn Products by directing a request to Corn Products International, Inc., 5 Westbrook Corporate Center Westchester, IL 60154, Attention: Investor Relations.
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 April 16, 2008, for its 2008 annual meeting of shareholders and in Bunge’s most recent filing on Form 10-K. Information about Corn Products’ directors and executive officers is available in Corn Products’ proxy statement, dated April 4, 2008, for its 2008 annual meeting of stockholders and in Corn Products’ most recent filing on Form 10-K. Additional information about the interests of potential participants will be included in the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.
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 June 30, 2008 and 2007.
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 (“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.
(1) Includes other amounts not directly attributable to Bunge’s segments.
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:
