[GRAPHIC OMITTED] Investor Susie Ter-Jung
Contact: Bunge Limited
1-914-684-3398
Susie.Ter-Jung@Bunge.com
Media Stewart Lindsay
Contact: Bunge Limited
1-914-684-3369
Stewart.Lindsay@Bunge.com
Bunge Reports Record First Quarter 2005 Net Income and EPS
White Plains, NY - April 28, 2005 - Bunge Limited (NYSE:BG).
Financial Highlights
(In millions, except per share data and percentages)
- ------------------------------------ ------------------------------ ------------
First Quarter Ended Percent
------------------- Change
3/31/05 3/31/04
- ------------------------------------ ---------------- ------------- ------------
Volumes (metric tons) 26.9 23.8 13%
Net sales $5,451 $5,739 (5)%
Total segment operating profit(1) $139 $136 2%
Net income $98 $70 40%
Earnings per share(2) $0.82 $0.65 26%
- ------------------------------------ ---------------- ------------- ------------
Bunge's results included certain gains that may be of interest to investors.
These gains totaled $19 million, or $0.16 per share, in the quarter ended March
31, 2005, and $3 million, or $0.03 per share, in the quarter ended March 31,
2004. Additional information is provided in the attached schedule titled
"Additional Financial Information."
Overview
Alberto Weisser, Bunge's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer stated: "We are
pleased with our results this quarter and feel they provide us with good
momentum as we start 2005.
- --------
(1)Total segment operating profit is the consolidated segment operating profit
of Bunge's segments. Total segment operating profit is a non-GAAP measure and is
not intended to replace income from operations before income tax and minority
interest, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. The information required by
Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including reconciliation
to income from operations before income tax and minority interest, is included
in the tables attached to this press release.
(2) Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarters ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 are
reported on a fully diluted basis. See Note 1 to the condensed consolidated
statements of income attached to this press release for more information.
"Overall, our industry is benefiting from strong fundamentals. Global commodity
supplies are ample. The USDA estimates the world soybean crop at 219 million
tons, a 16 percent increase over last year, despite the impact of the drought in
southern Brazil. Increases in CBOT soy prices during February and March helped
stimulate farmer selling, especially in the U.S. and Argentina. Coarse grain and
wheat crops are also larger than last year.
"Demand for Bunge's core products remains strong. Global soymeal demand for the
year is expected to top 136 million tons, a six percent increase over last year.
Rising meat production is helping to drive this growth. Global vegetable oil
demand is expected to rise by over seven percent compared to last year to 106
million tons. Strong rapeseed crush margins in the European Union reflect rising
demand for biodiesel.
"The combination of ample supply and strong demand drove an increase in volumes
in our agribusiness segment. It also helped push soybean crush rates up in all
major markets. The National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) estimates
March U.S. capacity utilization at 86 percent -- up from 75 percent in March
last year.
"Strong meal and oil demand and attractive CBOT soy prices should encourage
plantings in Brazil and benefit Bunge's fertilizer segment during the
traditional sales period in the second half of the year.
"Bunge's integrated operating model performs well in this type of market. Large
volumes enable us to maximize the productivity of our assets and give us the
flexibility to serve our customers better. We feel confident that continued
market strength will benefit Bunge during the year."
First Quarter Results
Agribusiness
Agribusiness volumes rebounded as markets responded to lower prices for
agricultural commodities compared to last year's high prices. A late-quarter
rally in the price of soy due to reduced Brazilian harvest expectations
triggered farmer selling, particularly in Argentina and North America, which
benefited margins and capacity utilization in all three major origins. Results
in Eastern Europe reflected lower margins in Hungary and Poland compared to last
year's extraordinary levels and start-up costs related to the commencement of
grain origination activities in Ukraine and Russia.
Agribusiness results this quarter included a $27 million pre-tax reversal of the
remaining balance of the allowance for recoverable taxes in Argentina.
Recoverable taxes were previously reserved until either payment was received or
amounts owed to Bunge were compensated against other tax payments owed to the
government. Amounts owed by
2
the government are being paid without delay and Argentina's financial condition
has improved significantly.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer volumes declined due to low corn prices that reduced planting
intentions for the Brazilian winter corn crop and credit constraints in southern
Brazil related to the drought. Higher international prices for fertilizer raw
materials benefited margins on locally produced phosphate and offset the slight
decline in volumes. This margin benefit was not sufficient to offset higher
expenses and the effects of a stronger Brazilian real on local currency costs
when translated into U.S. dollars. In the first quarter of 2005, the average
real-dollar exchange rate was R$2.67, compared to R$2.90 in the first quarter of
2004. In addition, fertilizer results were hurt by higher industrial and
depreciation expenses attributable to new facilities that commenced production
after the first quarter of 2004, increased foreign exchange hedging expenses due
to an increase in U.S.-dollar debt funding increased working capital and higher
selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A). SG&A increased primarily
due to higher bad debt expenses for farmer customers.
Edible Oil Products
Edible oil volumes increased in all regions. Margins in Brazil and Poland
improved compared to last year due to lower raw material costs. Results in
Romania were negatively affected by margin pressure from lower sales prices and
higher sunseed costs and higher foreign exchange hedging costs. SG&A expenses
increased primarily due to higher promotional and advertising expenses,
particularly in Brazil.
Milling Products
Wheat milling results benefited from higher volumes as bakery and industrial
customers accelerated purchases in anticipation of rising international wheat
prices and productivity enhancements as a result of measures taken to improve
our asset footprint and operating efficiency. Corn milling results declined
slightly from last year due to lower volumes and margins on sales to the U.S.
government for its food aid program.
Financial Costs
Interest income increased primarily due to higher levels of interest-bearing
accounts receivable. Interest expense increased primarily due to higher
short-term interest rates, partially offset by lower average borrowings. Foreign
exchange losses and related hedging costs incurred primarily on the net U.S.
dollar-denominated liability position of Bunge's Brazilian subsidiaries were
unchanged compared to the same period last year. The Brazilian real depreciated
1% in value against the U.S. dollar in the first quarters of both 2005 and 2004.
3
Other
Other income (expense) - net increased during the quarter primarily due to
higher earnings from Bunge's French oilseed processing and German biodiesel
joint ventures.
Income Tax Expense
Bunge's effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2005 was 28% compared to 40%
in the same period in 2004 and 32% for fiscal 2004. The decline in tax rate from
2004 was primarily attributable to higher earnings in lower tax jurisdictions.
Minority Interest
Minority share of net income decreased due to Bunge's acquisition in the third
and fourth quarters of 2004 of the remaining 17% minority interest in Bunge
Brasil S.A. Bunge now owns 100% of Bunge Brasil.
Cash Flow and Net Financial Debt(3)
Net financial debt at March 31, 2005 increased $346 million from December 31,
2004, and readily marketable inventories increased $365 million over the same
period. Cash flow used by operations was $226 million for the quarter ended
March 31, 2005 compared to $720 million used in the quarter ended March 31,
2004. First quarter operating cash flows are typically negative as cash is used
to purchase oilseeds and grains from the South American harvest. In the first
quarter of 2005, less cash was used in operations as commodity prices were lower
than in 2004 and farmer selling in Brazil was behind prior year levels.
- ----------
(3) Net financial debt is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not intended to
replace total debt. A definition of net financial debt and the information
required by Regulation G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including a
reconciliation of net financial debt to total debt, the most directly comparable
GAAP measure, is included in the tables attached to this press release.
4
Outlook
Bill Wells, Chief Financial Officer, stated, "We anticipate a good year in 2005
and a strong first quarter has given us a solid start. Supplies of oilseeds and
grains are ample and South American harvests are large, even if a bit smaller
than originally expected. Demand from our customers is strong as they seek to
take advantage of lower prices and a weak U.S. dollar. We continue to expect
firm fertilizer demand, with a return to a more normal seasonal pattern for
farmer fertilizer purchases, and good margins. We expect improvements in our
effective tax rate and minority interest expense compared to 2004.
"Our 2005 guidance is as follows:
o Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization: $230 million to $240 million
o Capital Expenditures: $410 million to $460 million
o $150 million to $170 million maintenance, safety and
environmental capital expenditures
o Effective Tax Rate: 28% to 33%
o Joint Venture Earnings: $30 million to $35 million
"Assuming stable currencies in South America and Europe and normal harvests in
Europe and the Americas, our updated net income guidance for 2005 is between
$485 million to $505 million, representing $4.06 to $4.23 per share. This fully
diluted per share guidance is based on an estimated weighted average of 120.6
million shares outstanding. Our updated guidance includes $19 million, or $0.16
per share, from the reversal of the allowance against recoverable taxes."
5
Conference Call and Webcast Information
Bunge Limited's management will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. Eastern
Time on April 28, 2005 to discuss the company's first quarter results.
To listen to the conference call, please dial (800) 818-5264, or, if located
outside of the United States, dial (913) 981-4910. Please dial in five to 10
minutes before the scheduled start time. When prompted, enter passcode number
245806.
The conference call will also be webcast live on the company's Web site,
http://www.Bunge.com. Please register at least 15 minutes prior to the call.
To access the webcast, select the "News and Information" link located at the
bottom left of the homepage. Open the "Webcasts and Upcoming Events" link and
click on "Q1 2005 Bunge Limited Conference Call." Follow the prompts to join the
call.
For those who cannot listen to the live broadcast, a replay of the call will be
available beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on April 28, 2005, and continuing
through May 28, 2005. To listen to the replay, please dial (888) 203-1112, or,
if located outside of the United States, dial (719) 457-0820. When prompted,
enter passcode number 981441. A rebroadcast of the conference call will also be
available on the company's Web site beginning at 2:00 p.m. Eastern time on April
28. It will be accessible for six months.
To access the archived webcast, go to http://www.Bunge.com and select the "News
& Information" link located at the bottom left of the homepage. Open the "Audio
Archive" link, and click on "Q1 2005 Bunge Limited Conference Call." Follow the
prompts to listen to the webcast.
About Bunge
Bunge Limited (http://www.Bunge.com ) is an integrated, global agribusiness and
food company operating in the farm-to-consumer food chain. Founded in 1818 and
headquartered in White Plains, New York, Bunge has 25,000 employees and
locations in 32 countries. Bunge is the world's leading oilseed processing
company, the largest producer and supplier of fertilizers to farmers in South
America and the world's leading seller of bottled vegetable oils to consumers.
6
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.
7
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additional Financial Information
The following table provides a summary of certain gains that may be of interest
to investors. The table includes a description of these items and their effect
on total segment operating profit, income from operations before income tax and
minority interest, net income and earnings per share for the quarter ended March
31, 2005 and 2004.
- ------------------------------------- --------------------- --------------------- --------------------- -----------------------
Income From
Operations Before
Total Segment Income Tax and Earnings Per Share
(In millions, except per share data) Operating Profit Minority Interest Net Income Diluted (1)
- ------------------------------------ ---------------- ----------------- ---------- -----------
Quarter Ended March 31: 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004 2005 2004
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
Reversal of recoverable
tax valuation allowance $27 $- $27 $- $19 $ - $0.16 $ -
Gain on exchange of
Brazilian retail flour business - - - 5 - 3 - 0.03
---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
Total $27 $- $27 $5 $19 $3 $0.16 $0.03
========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ========== ============ ==========
- ------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------
(1) See Note 1 of Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except per share data and percentages)
(Unaudited)
Quarter Ended
March 31,
---------------------------- Percent
2005 2004 Change
---------------------------------------
Net sales $5,451 $5,739 (5)%
Cost of goods sold (5,066) (5,374) (6)%
------------- -------------
Gross profit 385 365 5%
Selling, general and administrative expenses (196) (178) 10%
Interest income 23 16 44%
Interest expense (57) (52) 10%
Foreign exchange losses (16) (16) -%
Other income (expense)-net 18 11 64%
------------- -------------
Income from operations before income tax and minority interest 157 146 8%
Income tax expense (44) (58) (24)%
------------- -------------
Income from operations before minority interest 113 88 28%
Minority interest (15) (18) (17)%
------------- -------------
Net income $98 $70 40%
============= =============
Earnings per common share - basic (Note 1):
Net income per share - basic $0.88 $0.70 26%
============= =============
Earnings per common share - diluted (Note 1):
Net income per share - diluted $0.82 $0.65 26%
============= =============----------
NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
Note 1: Earnings per share are calculated on the basis of the following number
of common shares outstanding:
Quarter Ended
March 31,
---------------------------------
2005 2004
---------------- ---------------
(In millions, except share data)
------------------------------
Net income - basic $98 $70
Interest on convertible notes, net of tax 1 1
---------------- ---------------
Net income - diluted $99 $71
================ ===============
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic 110,752,441 100,016,833
Effect of dilutive shares:
-Stock options and awards 2,108,243 1,770,441
-Convertible notes 7,777,462 7,778,425
---------------- ---------------
Diluted 120,638,146 109,565,699
================ ===============
Net income - per share:
-Basic $0.88 $0.70
================ ===============
-Diluted $0.82 $0.65
================ ===============
The calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the quarter
ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 includes the weighted average common
shares that are issuable upon conversion of Bunge's 3.75% convertible
notes due 2022.
CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT INFORMATION
(In millions, except volumes and percentages)
(Unaudited)
Set forth below is a summary of certain items in our condensed consolidated
statements of income and volumes by reportable segment (Note 1).
Quarter Ended
March 31,
------------------------ Percent
2005 2004 Change
------------ ------------ ----------
Volumes (in thousands of metric tons):
Agribusiness 23,020 20,024 15%
Fertilizer 1,729 1,760 (2)%
Edible oil products 1,149 1,043 10%
Milling products 985 966 2%
------------ ------------
Total 26,883 23,793 13%
============ ============
Net sales:
Agribusiness $4,075 $4,266 (4)%
Fertilizer 403 366 10%
Edible oil products 779 907 (14)%
Milling products 194 200 (3)%
------------ ------------
Total $5,451 $5,739 (5)%
============ ============
Cost of goods sold:
Agribusiness $(3,849) $(4,054) (5)%
Fertilizer (333) (281) 19%
Edible oil products (715) (857) (17)%
Milling products (169) (182) (7)%
------------ ------------
Total $(5,066) $(5,374) (6)%
============ ============
Gross profit:
Agribusiness $226 $212 7%
Fertilizer 70 85 (18)%
Edible oil products 64 50 28%
Milling products 25 18 39%
------------ ------------
Total $385 $365 5%
============ ============
Selling, general and administrative expenses:
Agribusiness $(97) $(100) (3)%
Fertilizer (43) (31) 39%
Edible oil products (45) (36) 25%
Milling products (11) (11) -%
------------ ------------
Total $(196) $(178) 10%
============ ============
Foreign exchange gain (loss):
Agribusiness $4 $(5)
Fertilizer (17) (11)
Edible oil products (1) -
Milling products - -
------------ ------------
Total $(14) $(16)
============ ============
Interest income:
Agribusiness $4 $2 100%
Fertilizer 13 9 44%
Edible oil products 1 3 (67)%
Milling products - 1 (100)%
------------ ------------
Total $18 $15 20%
============ ============ ----------
Quarter Ended
March 31,
------------------------ Percent
2005 2004 Change
------------ ------------ ----------
Interest expense:
Agribusiness $(30) $(31) (3)%
Fertilizer (14) (11) 27%
Edible oil products (8) (6) 33%
Milling products (2) (2) -%
------------ ------------
Total $(54) $(50) 8%
============ ============
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ----------
Segment operating profit:
Agribusiness $107 $78 37%
Fertilizer 9 41 (78)%
Edible oil products 11 11 -%
Milling products 12 6 100%
------------ ------------
Total (Note 2) $139 $136 2%
============ ============
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ----------
Income from operations before income tax and minority interest:
Segment operating profit $139 $136
Unallocated income (expense) - net (Note 3) 18 10
------------ ------------
Income from operations before income tax and minority interest $157 $146
============ ============
Depreciation, depletion and amortization:
Agribusiness $25 $21 19%
Fertilizer 23 17 35%
Edible oil products 12 10 20%
Milling products 3 3 -%
------------ ------------
Total $63 $51 24%
============ ============ ----------
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED SEGMENT INFORMATION
(Unaudited)
Note 1: In the first quarter of 2005, Bunge reclassified certain agribusiness
product lines from the edible oil segment to the agribusiness segment.
As a result, amounts for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 have been
reclassified to conform to the quarter ended March 31, 2005
presentation.
Note 2: Total segment operating profit is the consolidated segment operating
profit of all of Bunge's operating segments. Total segment operating
profit is a non-GAAP measure and is not intended to replace income from
operations before income tax and minority interest, the most directly
comparable GAAP measure. The information required by Regulation G
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the reconciliation
to income from operations before income tax and minority interest, is
included under the caption "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures".
Note 3: Includes interest income, interest expense and foreign exchange gains
and losses and other income and expenses not directly attributable
to Bunge's operating segments.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
March 31, December 31, March 31,
2005 2004 2004
----------------- ------------------ ------------------
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $339 $432 $523
Trade accounts receivable 1,799 1,928 1,587
Inventories 2,866 2,636 3,950
Deferred income taxes 106 95 83
Other current assets 1,660 1,577 1,636
----------------- ------------------ ------------------
Total current assets 6,770 6,668 7,779
Property, plant and equipment, net 2,550 2,536 2,066
Goodwill 166 167 145
Other intangible assets, net 170 156 103
Investments in affiliates 577 564 536
Deferred income taxes 260 273 232
Other non-current assets 557 543 364
----------------- ------------------ ------------------
Total assets $11,050 $10,907 $11,225
================= ================== ==================
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt $661 $541 $1,553
Current portion of long-term debt 144 140 331
Trade accounts payable 1,839 1,898 1,946
Deferred income taxes 38 38 54
Other current liabilities 1,170 1,285 1,410
----------------- ------------------ ------------------
Total current liabilities 3,852 3,902 5,294
Long-term debt 2,728 2,600 2,331
Deferred income taxes 221 232 191
Other non-current liabilities 541 518 417
Minority interest in subsidiaries 289 280 564
Shareholders' equity 3,419 3,375 2,428
----------------- ------------------ ------------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $11,050 $10,907 $11,225
================= ================== ==================
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
March 31,
----------------------------
2005 2004
------------- -------------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $98 $70
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by
(used for) operating activities:
Foreign exchange losses on debt 13 6
Bad debt expense 5 2
Reversal of allowance for recoverable taxes (27) (9)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization 63 51
Deferred income taxes 9 10
Minority interest 15 18
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, excluding the
effects of acquisitions:
Trade accounts receivable 92 (96)
Inventories (267) (1,105)
Recoverable taxes (15) (18)
Prepaid commodity purchase contracts (42) 238
Advances to suppliers 40 (10)
Trade accounts payable (40) 260
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative contracts - net 76 (177)
Margin deposits (22) (41)
Accrued liabilities (71) 13
Other - net (153) 68
------------- -------------
Cash used for operating activities (226) (720)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments made for capital expenditures (94) (52)
Acquisitions of businesses and other intangible assets (24) (3)
Investments in related party loans (6) -
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment - 8
------------- -------------
Cash used for investing activities (124) (47)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net change in short-term debt 120 655
Proceeds from long-term debt 241 315
Repayments of long-term debt (86) (160)
Proceeds from sale of common shares 3 5
Dividends paid to shareholders (14) (11)
Dividends paid to minority interest - (1)
------------- -------------
Cash provided by financing activities 264 803
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash
equivalents ------------- -------------
(7) (2)
------------- -------------
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (93) 34
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 432 489
------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $339 $523
============= =============
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures
This earnings release contains total segment operating profit, 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 Operating Profit
Total segment operating profit, which is the consolidated segment operating
profit of all of Bunge's operating segments, is Bunge's consolidated income from
operations before income tax and minority interest that includes an allocated
portion of the foreign exchange gains and losses relating to debt financing
operating working capital, including readily marketable inventories. Also
included in total segment operating profit is an allocation of interest income
and interest expense attributable to the financing of operating working capital.
Total segment operating profit is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not
intended to replace income from operations before income tax and minority
interest, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Total segment
operating profit is a key performance measurement used by our management to
evaluate whether our operating activities cover the financing costs of our
business. We believe total segment operating profit is a more complete measure
of our operating profitability, since it allocates foreign exchange gains and
losses and the cost of debt financing working capital to the appropriate
operating segments. Additionally, we believe total segment operating profit
assists investors by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results
of our portfolio of businesses before non-operating factors that affect net
income. Total segment operating profit is not a measure of consolidated
operating results under U.S. GAAP and should not be considered as an alternative
to income from operations before income taxes and minority interest or any other
measure of consolidated operating results under U.S. GAAP.
Below is a reconciliation of income from operations before income tax and
minority interest to total segment operating profit:
March 31,
--------------------------
(In millions) 2005 2004
- ---------------------------------------------------------------- ------------ ------------
Income from operations before income tax and minority
interest $157 $146
Minus: Unallocated (income)/expenses - net (1) (18) (10)
------------ ------------
Total segment operating profit $139 $136
================================================================ ============ ============
- --------------------------
(1) Includes interest income, interest expense and foreign exchange gains and
losses and other income and expenses not directly attributable to Bunge's
operating 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:
March 31, December 31, March 31,
(In millions) 2005 2004 2004
------------ --------------- ----------------- ---------------
Short-term debt $661 $541 $1,553
Long-term debt, including current portion 2,872 2,740 2,662
--------------- ----------------- ---------------
Total debt 3,533 3,281 4,215
Less:
Cash and cash equivalents 339 432 523
Marketable securities 13 14 13
--------------- ----------------- ---------------
Net financial debt 3,181 2,835 3,679
Less: Readily marketable inventories 1,629 1,264 2,816
--------------- ----------------- ---------------
Net financial debt less readily marketable
inventories $1,552 $1,571 $863
=============== ================= ===============