Corn Products International Reports 2009 Third Quarter Results of $0.70 Per Share

October 27, 2009 5:30 AM EDT

Narrows Full-Year EPS Guidance to Range of $1.80 to $2.00,

Excluding Previously Reported Impairment and Restructuring Charges

WESTCHESTER, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Corn Products International, Inc. (NYSE: CPO), a leading global provider of agriculturally derived ingredients for diversified markets, today reported net income of $53 million, or $0.70 per diluted common share, for the third quarter of 2009, versus the record-setting net income and earnings per diluted common share of $88 million and $1.15, respectively, for the same period last year.

Third-quarter 2009 results were negatively impacted by higher net corn costs, unfavorable foreign currency translations and softer volumes. The estimated change in earnings per diluted share from lower co-product prices (corn oil, feed, and meal) was a negative $0.21; lower price/margins was negative $0.11; lower other income was a negative $0.09; and weaker foreign currencies and lower volumes were a negative $0.06 and $0.04 respectively. A lower effective tax rate added $0.04, while a change in non-controlling interest and fewer shares outstanding each added $0.01.

Net sales of $971 million in the third quarter of 2009 decreased 10 percent versus $1.08 billion in the prior-year period. The three primary contributors to changes in net sales in the third quarter were a negative $50 million from foreign currency translations; a negative $38 million from price/mix attributable to co-products; and a negative $26 million from lower volumes.

Gross profit of $153 million in the third quarter of 2009 declined 25 percent versus $204 million a year ago. The gross margin of 15.8 percent compared with 18.8 percent last year. The decline in gross profit is mainly attributable to the higher net corn costs and lower volumes in the North American business. Total Company gross corn costs per ton decreased 5 percent; however, net corn costs per ton increased 12 percent, primarily due to lower corn oil prices. Energy costs decreased 5 percent versus a year ago.

Operating expenses in the third quarter were $66 million or 6.8 percent of net sales, versus $67 million, or 6.2 percent of net sales, last year. Other income in the third quarter of 2009 was less than $1 million compared to $11 million last year. Last year's other income included a $4 million insurance recovery and a $3 million gain from a land sale.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2009 was $88 million compared to $148 million last year.

Net financing costs in the third quarter of 2009 were $9 million versus $10 million last year, as lower net interest expense more than offset an unfavorable foreign currency swing of $3 million. The third quarter effective tax rate of 31.2 percent was down from 34.9 percent last year, and included an approximately $2 million benefit from discrete items this quarter. Excluding the impact of the discrete items, the Company estimates that the effective annual tax rate would have been approximately 34 percent.

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding in the third quarter of 2009 declined 1 percent to 75.7 million from 76.3 million in the same quarter last year.

"This quarter's diluted earnings per common share of $0.70 was our fourth-best quarter ever, trailing only the first three quarters of last year. We are pleased with the overall results and the improving trend line in certain parts of the world. South America volumes rebounded nicely, and we saw not only 2009 quarter-over-quarter sequential growth, but growth over third quarter 2008 volumes. In North America and Asia/Africa, we saw 2009 sequential volume improvement in the third quarter," said Ilene Gordon, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Regional Business Segment Performance

Regional results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 were as follows:

North America

Net sales of $599 million decreased 9 percent from $660 million in 2008. The decline was due to lower volumes of $38 million, negative price/mix of $18 million, and weaker foreign currencies of $5 million. The decline in price/mix was due to co-products, which declined by $34 million compared to the same quarter last year. Operating income of $61 million fell 42 percent from $105 million last year, primarily due to higher net corn costs and lower volumes. Gross corn costs per ton increased 8 percent versus last year, while net corn costs per ton increased 46 percent, with the latter reflecting the dramatic decline in the price of co-products, principally corn oil. Corn oil in the third quarter of last year averaged 62 cents a pound versus 36 cents a pound in the third quarter of this year, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.

South America

Net sales of $271 million declined 11 percent compared with $305 million a year ago, primarily due to the impact of unfavorable foreign currency translations of $33 million, and unfavorable price/mix of $14 million ($5 million of which was due to lower co-product prices), partially offset by improved volumes of $13 million. Operating income declined 15 percent to $37 million compared with $44 million in the prior year. Net corn costs were favorable versus last year, helping to mitigate the impact of weaker currencies and lower price/mix on operating income.

Asia/Africa

Net sales of $101 million fell 15 percent versus $119 million last year, primarily due to the unfavorable impact of foreign currency translations of $12 million and lower price/mix of $6 million. Higher co-product prices were positive $2 million versus the same quarter last year. Gross and net corn costs per ton decreased 12 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Operating income of $4 million declined $6 million versus a year ago. The decline in operating income reflects the weak pricing environment in South Korea and Southeast Asia and weaker demand in Pakistan, China and Kenya.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The Company maintained a healthy balance sheet and solid liquidity as of September 30, 2009. At the end of the third quarter, total debt and cash and cash equivalents were $695 million and $161 million, respectively, versus $866 million and $107 million at year-end 2008.

Cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2009 was $368 million, reflecting a $154 million improvement in working capital. The Company fulfilled contracts for firm-price business and recovered $121 million from our margin accounts. Capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2009 were $98 million, while dividends paid were $34 million.

2009 Outlook

"Given how the business performed in the third quarter, we are narrowing our full-year earnings guidance to a range between $1.80 - $2.00 per diluted common share, excluding the after tax impact of impairment and restructuring charges of $1.47 per diluted common share taken in the second quarter of 2009, versus the previous range of $1.70 to $2.10," said Ilene Gordon. "The revised range reflects expectations of continued volume weakness in the North American business, weaker demand and pricing pressure in Asia, as well as anticipated favorable trends in currencies and better prices for co-products. We remain confident in our estimate that cash flow from operations for 2009 will be in the range of $425 million to $525 million, and we expect 2009 capital expenditures to be approximately $150 million."

"While the global economy is adversely affecting our earnings this year, we are successfully managing through the uncertainty and volatility. Our business model held up well with strong cash flow generation. We were able to maintain a strong balance sheet and pay down $180 million of debt. We held the dividend rate constant and were still able to provide funding for the capital investment program," Gordon said.

Conference Call and Webcast

Corn Products International will conduct a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Central Time) to be hosted by Ilene Gordon, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Cheryl Beebe, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

The call will be broadcast in a real-time webcast. The broadcast will consist of the call and a visual presentation accessible through the Corn Products International web site at www.cornproducts.com. The "listen-and-view-only" presentation will be available to download approximately 60 minutes prior to the start of the call. A replay of the webcast will be available at www.cornproducts.com.

Individuals without Internet access may listen to the live conference call by dialing 719.325.4845. A replay of the audio call will be available through Tuesday, November 10, by calling 719.457.0820 and using passcode 6446801.

About the Company

Corn Products International is one of the world's largest corn refiners and a major supplier of high-quality food ingredients and industrial products derived from the wet milling and processing of corn and other starch-based materials. The Company, headquartered in Westchester, Ill., is a leading worldwide producer of dextrose and a major regional producer of starch, high fructose corn syrup and glucose. In 2008, Corn Products International reported net sales and diluted earnings per common share of $3.94 billion and $3.52, respectively, with operations in 15 countries at 33 plants, including wholly owned businesses, affiliates and alliances. For more information, visit www.cornproducts.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains or may contain 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. The Company intends these forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for such statements. These statements include, among other things, any predictions regarding the Company's prospects or future financial condition, earnings, revenues, expenses or other financial items, any statements concerning the Company's prospects or future operations, including management's plans or strategies and objectives therefor and any assumptions, expectations or beliefs underlying the foregoing. These statements can sometimes be identified by the use of forward looking words such as "may," "will," "should," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "project," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "continue," "pro forma," "forecast" or other similar expressions or the negative thereof. All statements other than statements of historical facts in this release or referred to in this release are "forward-looking statements." These statements are based on current expectations, but are subject to certain inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which are difficult to predict and are beyond our control. Although we believe our expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, stockholders are cautioned that no assurance can be given that our expectations will prove correct. Actual results and developments may differ materially from the expectations expressed in or implied by these statements, based on various factors, including the effects of the global economic recession and its impact on our sales volumes and pricing of our products, our ability to collect our receivables from customers and our ability to raise funds at reasonable rates; fluctuations in worldwide markets for corn and other commodities, and the associated risks of hedging against such fluctuations; fluctuations in the markets and prices for our co-products, particularly corn oil; fluctuations in aggregate industry supply and market demand; the behavior of financial markets, including foreign currency fluctuations and fluctuations in interest and exchange rates; continued volatility and turmoil in the capital markets; the commercial and consumer credit environment; general political, economic, business, market and weather conditions in the various geographic regions and countries in which we manufacture and/or sell our products; future financial performance of major industries which we serve, including, without limitation, the food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, paper, corrugated, textile and brewing industries; energy costs and availability, freight and shipping costs, and changes in regulatory controls regarding quotas, tariffs, duties, taxes and income tax rates; operating difficulties; boiler reliability; our ability to effectively integrate acquired businesses; labor disputes; genetic and biotechnology issues; changing consumption preferences and trends; increased competitive and/or customer pressure in the corn-refining industry; and the outbreak or continuation of serious communicable disease or hostilities including acts of terrorism. Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of the statement as a result of new information or future events or developments. If we do update or correct one or more of these statements, investors and others should not conclude that we will make additional updates or corrections. For a further description of these and other risks, see "Risk Factors" included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q or 8-K.


Corn Products International, Inc. ("CPI")

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

(In millions,
except per
share
amounts)

                Three Months Ended       Change  Nine Months Ended        Change

                September 30,            %       September 30,            %

                2009        2008                 2009        2008

Net sales
before
shipping and    $ 1,027.2   $ 1,155.4    (11 %)  $ 2,873.7   $ 3,240.0    (11  %)
handling
costs

Less:
shipping and      56.6        71.2       (21 %)    160.3       196.4      (18  %)
handling
costs

Net sales       $ 970.6     $ 1,084.2    (10 %)  $ 2,713.4   $ 3,043.6    (11  %)

Cost of sales     817.3       880.4      (7  %)    2,355.6     2,479.9    (5   %)

Gross profit    $ 153.3     $ 203.8      (25 %)  $ 357.8     $ 563.7      (37  %)

Operating         65.9        66.8       (1  %)    181.6       207.8      (13  %)
expenses

Other             (0.4    )   (10.8   )            (2.5    )   (14.4   )
(income), net

Impairment /
restructuring     -           -                    125.0       -
charges

Operating       $ 87.8      $ 147.8      (41 %)  $ 53.7      $ 370.3      (85  %)
income

Financing         9.3         9.6        (3  %)    31.4        23.9       31   %
costs, net

Income before   $ 78.5      $ 138.2      (43 %)  $ 22.3      $ 346.4      (94  %)
income taxes

Provision for     24.5        48.2                 33.0        119.5
income taxes

Net income      $ 54.0      $ 90.0       (40 %)  $ (10.7   ) $ 226.9      (105 %)
(loss)

Less: Net
income
attributable to   1.2         1.9        (37 %)    4.5         6.1        (26  %)
non-controlling
interests (a)

Net income
(loss)          $ 52.8      $ 88.1       (40 %)  $ (15.2   ) $ 220.8      (107 %)
attributable
to CPI

Earnings (Loss) per Common Share
Attributable to CPI Common

Shareholders:

Weighted
average
common shares
outstanding:

Basic             74.9        74.7                 74.9        74.4

Diluted           75.7        76.3                 74.9        76.0

Earnings
(loss) per
common share
of CPI:

Basic           $ 0.70      $ 1.18       (41 %)    ($0.20  ) $ 2.97       (107 %)

Diluted         $ 0.70      $ 1.15       (39 %)    ($0.20  ) $ 2.90       (107 %)

(a) On January 1, 2009, CPI adopted new accounting and reporting rules related to
non-controlling interests in subsidiaries which, among other things, require that
minority interests be re-named non-controlling interests and that a company
present a consolidated net income measure that includes the amount attributable
to such non-controlling interests for all periods presented.




Corn Products International, Inc. ("CPI")

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In millions, except share and per share   September 30, 2009  December 31, 2008
amounts)

                                           (Unaudited)

Assets

 Current assets

       Cash and cash equivalents           $ 161               $ 107

       Accounts receivable - net             557                 627

       Inventories                           401                 454

       Prepaid expenses                      17                  10

       Deferred income taxes                 57                  99

 Total current assets                        1,193               1,297

       Property, plant and equipment - net   1,543               1,447

       Goodwill and other intangible         245                 359
       assets

       Deferred income taxes                 4                   4

       Investments                           9                   7

       Other assets                          95                  93

Total assets                               $ 3,089             $ 3,207

Liabilities and equity

 Current liabilities

       Short-term borrowings and current     162                 206
       portion of long-term debt

       Accounts payable and accrued          551                 653
       liabilities

 Total current liabilities                   713                 859

       Non-current liabilities               138                 152

       Long-term debt                        533                 660

       Deferred income taxes                 109                 105

       Redeemable common stock (500,000
       shares issued and outstanding

       at September 30, 2009 and December
       31, 2008) stated at redemption        14                  14
       value

       Share-based payments subject to       7                   11
       redemption

 Equity

 CPI shareholders' equity:

       Preferred stock - authorized
       25,000,000 shares-

       $0.01 par value, none issued          -                   -

       Common stock - authorized
       200,000,000 shares-

       $0.01 par value - 74,819,774 shares
       issued at September 30, 2009

       and December 31, 2008                 1                   1

       Additional paid-in capital            1,081               1,086

       Less: Treasury stock (common stock;
       548,368 and 776,606 shares at

       September 30, 2009 and December 31,   (17   )             (29   )
       2008, respectively) at cost

       Accumulated other comprehensive       (385  )             (594  )
       loss

       Retained earnings                     874                 920

 Total CPI shareholders' equity              1,554               1,384

 Non-controlling interests (a)               21                  22

 Total equity                                1,575               1,406

Total liabilities and equity               $ 3,089             $ 3,207

(a) On January 1, 2009, CPI adopted new accounting and reporting rules relating
to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries which, among other things, requires
that minority interests be re-named non-controlling interests and that a company
present such non-controlling interests as equity for all periods presented.




Corn Products International, Inc. ("CPI")

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

                                                             For the Nine Months

                                                             Ended September 30,

( In millions )                                                2009      2008

Cash provided by operating activities:

 Net income (loss)                                           $ (11  )  $ 227

 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to

 net cash provided by operating activities:

 Write-off of impaired assets                                  124       -

 Depreciation and amortization                                 95        98

 Decrease (increase) in margin accounts                        121       (186 )

 Decrease (increase) in other trade working capital            33        (107 )

 Other                                                         6         (16  )

 Cash provided by operating activities                         368       16

Cash used for investing activities:

 Capital expenditures, net of proceeds on disposals            (98  )    (160 )

 Other                                                         (4   )    3

 Cash used for investing activities                            (102 )    (157 )

Cash used for financing activities:

 Proceeds from (payments on) borrowings, net                   (180 )    101

 Issuances (repurchases) of common stock, net                  (1   )    10

 Dividends paid (including to non-controlling shareholders)    (34  )    (31  )

 Excess tax benefit on share-based compensation                1         3

 Cash (used for) provided by financing activities              (214 )    83

 Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash               2         (1   )

 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents              54        (59  )

 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                107       175

 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                    $ 161     $ 116




Corn Products International, Inc. ("CPI")

Supplemental Financial Information

(Unaudited)

I. Geographic Information of Net
Sales and Operating Income

(Dollars in    Three Months Ended               Nine Months Ended
millions)                              Change                             Change
               September 30,                    September 30,

               2009       2008         %        2009         2008         %

Net Sales

North America  $ 598.3    $ 660.1      (9  %)   $ 1,714.0    $ 1,806.4    (5  %)

South America    271.0      304.8      (11 %)     713.7        874.4      (18 %)

Asia/Africa      101.3      119.3      (15 %)     285.7        362.8      (21 %)

Total          $ 970.6    $ 1,084.2    (10 %)   $ 2,713.4    $ 3,043.6    (11 %)

Operating
Income

North America  $ 61.1     $ 104.9      (42 %)   $ 114.8      $ 265.7      (57 %)

South America    37.3       44.1       (15 %)     91.4         112.8      (19 %)

Asia/Africa      3.7        10.0       (63 %)     11.2         35.6       (69 %)

Corporate        (14.3 )    (11.2   )  28  %      (38.7   )    (43.8   )  (12 %)

Sub-total        87.8       147.8      (41 %)     178.7        370.3      (52 %)

Impairment /
restructuring    -          -                     (125.0  )    -
charges

Total          $ 87.8     $ 147.8      (41 %)   $ 53.7       $ 370.3      (85 %)

II. Capital
expenditures

Capital expenditures, net of proceeds on disposals, for the quarters ended
September 30, 2009 and 2008, were $32 million and $55 million, respectively.
Capital expenditures for the full year 2009 are estimated to be $150 million.




III. Non-GAAP Information

The presentation below contains information that is not prepared in accordance
with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and is provided for
analytical purposes only. Management believes that this non-GAAP information (1)
provides a more meaningful presentation of the Company's results for the nine
months ended September 30, 2009, and of our guidance with respect to earnings
per diluted share for 2009 excluding impairment and restructuring charges
incurred in the second quarter of 2009, on a basis consistent with the way in
which management evaluates operating performance and (2) provides investors with
additional information to assess and facilitate a more clear understanding of
our financial results. The information presented should not be used as a
substitute for our financial results under GAAP.

Corn Products International, Inc. ("CPI")

Reconciliation to Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share ("EPS")

(Unaudited)

                                                 Nine Months Ended

                                                 September 30, 2009

                                                 (in millions)   EPS

Net (loss) attributable to CPI                    ($15.2       )  ($0.20       )

Add back:

Impairment / restructuring charges, net of        110.3           1.47
income tax benefit of $14.7 million

Non-GAAP net income                              $95.1           $1.27

Operating income of $53.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009
includes $125 million of impairment and restructuring charges recorded in the
second quarter of 2009. Excluding the $125 million of impairment and
restructuring charges, the Company's operating income on a non-GAAP basis was
$178.7 million for the first nine months of 2009.

Corn Products International, Inc. ("CPI")

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Earnings Per Share ("EPS") Guidance for 2009

(Unaudited)

                                                 Prior           Updated

                                                 2009            2009

                                                 Guidance        Guidance

                                                 EPS             EPS

Earnings per share Guidance                      $0.23 - $0.63   $0.33 - $0.53
(GAAP basis), as presented

Add back:

Impairment and restructuring                      1.47            1.47
charges

Earnings per share Guidance, as                  $1.70 - $2.10   $1.80 - $2.00
presented

The Company uses certain key metrics to better monitor our progress towards
achieving our strategic business objectives. Among these metrics is the Total
Debt to Capitalization Percentage, which is not calculated in accordance with
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). Management believes that this
non-GAAP information provides investors with a meaningful presentation of useful
information on a basis consistent with the way in which management monitors and
evaluates the Company's operating performance. The information presented should
not be considered in isolation and should not be used as a substitute for our
financial results calculated under GAAP. In addition, these non-GAAP amounts are
susceptible to varying interpretations and calculations, and the amounts
presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other
companies. Our calculations of the Total Debt to Capitalization Percentage at
September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 are as follows:

Total Debt to Capitalization Percentage

                                September 30,    December 31,

(Dollars in millions)           2009             2008

Short-term debt                 $162             $206

Long-term debt                   533              660

Total debt (a)                  $695             $866

Deferred income tax liabilities  109              105

Redeemable common stock          14               14

Share-based payments subject to  7                11
redemption

Total equity                     1,575            1,406

Total capital                   $1,705           $1,536

Total debt and capital (b)      $2,400           $2,402

Debt to capitalization           29.0  %          36.1         %
percentage (a/b)




    Source: Corn Products International, Inc.


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