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Nutrien Demonstrates Resilient Performance Despite the Worst US Planting Season in History

July 29, 2019 5:30 PM

All amounts are in US dollars

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nutrien Ltd. (Nutrien) announced today its 2019 second-quarter results, with net earnings from continuing operations of $858 million ($1.47 diluted earnings per share). Second-quarter adjusted net earnings was $1.58 per share and adjusted EBITDA was $1.9 billion. Adjusted net earnings (total and per share amounts), adjusted EBITDA and related annual guidance and free cash flow are non-IFRS financial measures. See “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section for further information.

“Nutrien delivered earnings growth in the first half of 2019 despite unprecedented wet conditions in the US, demonstrating the strength of our business model and asset mix. Nutrien remains focused on factors under its control and creating long-term value for stakeholders. We expect to achieve over $650 million in annual run rate synergies by the end of 2019, have made strategic investments to grow our Retail business and returned $5.2 billion to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends over the past 18 months,” commented Chuck Magro, Nutrien’s President and CEO.

“US weather in the first half was so severe it nearly eliminated global demand growth for crop inputs. However, demand for grains and oilseeds is still growing, and with lower crop inventories and higher prices, we expect a strong rebound in 2020,” added Mr. Magro.

Highlights:

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

The following management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) is the responsibility of management and is dated as of July 29, 2019. The Board of Directors (Board) of Nutrien carries out its responsibility for review of this disclosure principally through its audit committee, comprised exclusively of independent directors. The audit committee reviews and, prior to its publication approves this disclosure pursuant to the authority delegated to it by the Board. The term “Nutrien” refers to Nutrien Ltd. and the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Nutrien” and “the Company” refer to Nutrien and, as applicable, Nutrien and its direct and indirect subsidiaries as a group. Additional information relating to Nutrien (which, except as otherwise noted, is not incorporated by reference herein), including our 2018 Annual Report dated February 20, 2019, which includes our consolidated financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis and our Annual Information Form, each for the year ended December 31, 2018, can be found on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. The Company is a foreign private issuer under the rules and regulations of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC).

This MD&A is based on the Company’s unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as at and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 (interim financial statements) prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IFRS) and prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 “Interim Financial Reporting” unless otherwise stated. It contains certain non-IFRS financial measures and forward-looking statements which are described in the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section and the “Forward-Looking Statements” section respectively. For the definitions of financial and non-financial terms used in this MD&A, as well as a list of abbreviated company names and sources, see pages 87, 157 and 158 of our 2018 Annual Report. All references to per share amounts pertain to diluted net earnings (loss) per share and all financial data are stated in millions of US dollars unless otherwise noted.

Market Outlook

Agriculture and Retail

Crop Nutrient Markets

However, due to weather and policy-related issues impacting the second half of 2019, we are lowering our projection of global potash deliveries to 65-67 million tonnes and our 2019 potash sales volume guidance to 12.6 to 13.0 million tonnes (previously 13.0 to 13.4 million tonnes). North American spring potash demand was impacted by weather related delays and lower crop planting, which only a proportion is expected to be made-up in the fall. Chinese demand could be deferred by import policies, while potash demand in India is being negatively affected by a below normal monsoon.

Financial Outlook and Guidance

Based on our first-half results and market factors detailed above, we have lowered 2019 adjusted net earnings guidance to $2.70 to $3.00 per share (previously $2.80 to $3.20 per share) and adjusted EBITDA guidance to $4.35 to $4.70 billion (previously $4.4 to $4.9 billion). We have lowered our Retail EBITDA guidance range to $1.2 to $1.3 billion (previously $1.3 to $1.4 billion).

The related sensitivities can be found on page 62 of Nutrien’s 2018 Annual Report.

All guidance numbers, including those noted above are outlined in the table below.

2019 Guidance Ranges 1

Low

High

Adjusted net earnings per share 2

$

2.70

$

3.00

Adjusted EBITDA (billions) 2

$

4.35

$

4.70

Retail EBITDA (billions)

$

1.20

$

1.30

Potash EBITDA (billions)

$

1.80

$

2.00

Nitrogen EBITDA (billions)

$

1.30

$

1.50

Phosphate EBITDA (billions)

$

0.20

$

0.30

Potash sales tonnes (millions) 3

12.6

13.0

Nitrogen sales tonnes (millions) 3

10.6

11.0

Depreciation and amortization (billions)

$

1.80

$

1.90

Merger and related costs (millions)

$

50

$

75

Effective tax rate on continuing operations

23

%

25

%

Sustaining capital expenditures (billions)

$

1.00

$

1.10

1 See the “Forward-Looking Statements” section of this MD&A.
2 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.
3 Manufactured products only. Nitrogen excludes ESN® and Rainbow products.

Consolidated Results

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

(millions of US dollars)

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

Sales 1

$

8,657

$

8,105

7

$

12,348

$

11,771

5

Freight, transportation and distribution

(250

)

(214

)

17

(421

)

(422

)

Cost of goods sold 1

(6,095

)

(5,760

)

6

(8,640

)

(8,371

)

3

Gross margin

2,312

2,131

8

3,287

2,978

10

Expenses

(1,017

)

(980

)

4

(1,816

)

(1,751

)

4

Net earnings from continuing operations

858

741

16

899

740

21

Net earnings from discontinued operations

675

(100

)

675

(100

)

Net earnings

858

1,416

(39

)

899

1,415

(36

)

EBITDA 2

1,781

1,507

18

2,377

1,994

19

Adjusted EBITDA 2

1,865

1,604

16

2,562

2,173

18

Free Cash Flow 2

1,308

933

40

1,690

1,150

47

1 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified or grouped together for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.
2 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.

Our second-quarter and first-half 2019 net earnings from continuing operations were supported by higher global nutrient prices, solid operational results and the continued benefit of synergy realization. This more than offset the impact that a delayed spring season and lower US planted acreage had on crop input sales volumes and margins. Net earnings were down from the same periods in 2018 as we recognized net earnings from discontinued operations related to the required divestiture of certain equity investments in connection with the merger of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc. (Merger) in the 2018 periods.

Segment Results

In the first quarter of 2019, our Executive Leadership Team reassessed our product groupings and decided to evaluate the performance of ammonium sulfate as part of the Nitrogen segment, rather than the Phosphate and Sulfate segment as reported in 2018. Effective January 1, 2019, we have four reportable operating segments: Retail, Potash, Nitrogen and Phosphate. Comparative amounts presented on a segmented basis have been restated accordingly. We also renamed our “Others” segment to “Corporate and Others”.

Detailed descriptions of our operating segments can be found in our 2018 Annual Report on pages 32-35 (Retail), 39-41 (Potash), 45-47 (Nitrogen) and 51-53 (Phosphate).

Our discussion of segment results set out on the following pages is a comparison of our second quarter and first half 2019 results to our second quarter and first half 2018 results, unless otherwise noted. See Appendix A for a summary of our first half results by operating segment.

Retail

Three months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

Gross Margin Dollars (millions)

Gross Margin (%)

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

Sales

Crop nutrients 1

$

2,626

$

2,326

13

$

540

$

474

14

21

20

Crop protection products

2,286

2,358

(3

)

472

521

(9

)

21

22

Seed

1,197

1,183

1

209

219

(5

)

17

19

Merchandise 2

144

161

(11

)

24

26

(8

)

17

16

Services and other

259

274

(5

)

195

192

2

75

70

6,512

6,302

3

$

1,440

$

1,432

1

22

23

Cost of goods sold 2

(5,072

)

(4,870

)

4

Gross margin

1,440

1,432

1

Expenses 3

(749

)

(668

)

12

Earnings before finance
costs and taxes (EBIT)

691

764

(10

)

Depreciation and amortization

145

122

19

EBITDA

$

836

$

886

(6

)

1 Includes intersegment sales. See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
2 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified or grouped together for the three months ended June 30, 2018.
3 Includes selling expenses of $683 million (2018 – $657 million).

Potash

Three months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

Tonnes (thousands)

Average per Tonne

2019

2018

%

Change

2019

2018

%

Change

2019

2018

%

Change

Manufactured product 1

Net sales

North America

$

257

$

222

16

975

1,030

(5

)

$

264

$

216

22

Offshore

591

416

42

2,480

2,149

15

238

194

23

848

638

33

3,455

3,179

9

246

201

22

Cost of goods sold

(317

)

(274

)

16

(92

)

(86

)

7

Gross margin - manufactured

531

364

46

154

115

34

Gross margin - other 2

Depreciation and amortization

33

29

14

Gross margin - total

531

364

46

Gross margin excluding depreciation

Expenses 3

(92

)

(71

)

30

and amortization - manufactured 4

187

144

30

EBIT

439

293

50

Potash cash cost of

Depreciation and amortization

114

93

23

product manufactured 4

59

58

2

EBITDA

$

553

$

386

43

1 Includes intersegment sales. See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
2 Includes other potash and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $Nil (2018 – $Nil) less cost of goods sold of $Nil (2018 – $Nil).
3 Includes provincial mining and other taxes of $91 million (2018 – $62 million).
4 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.

Canpotex Sales by Market

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

(percentage of sales volumes)

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

Other Asian markets 1

27

29

(7

)

30

29

3

China

25

21

19

27

25

8

Latin America

29

33

(12

)

24

28

(14

)

India

9

9

10

8

25

Other markets

10

8

25

9

10

(10

)

100

100

100

100

1 All Asian markets except China and India.

Nitrogen

Three months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

Tonnes (thousands)

Average per Tonne

2019

2018 1

%

Change

2019

2018 1

%

Change

2019

2018 1

%

Change

Manufactured product 2

Net sales

Ammonia

$

296

$

270

10

1,041

1,028

1

$

285

$

263

8

Urea

305

254

20

969

901

8

314

281

12

Solutions, nitrates and

sulfates

201

212

(5

)

1,137

1,220

(7

)

177

175

1

802

736

9

3,147

3,149

255

234

9

Cost of goods sold

(531

)

(481

)

10

(169

)

(153

)

10

Gross margin - manufactured

271

255

6

86

81

6

Gross margin - other 3

23

24

(4

)

Depreciation and amortization

49

27

81

Gross margin - total

294

279

5

Gross margin excluding depreciation

Income (Expenses)

11

(11

)

n/m

and amortization - manufactured 4

135

108

25

EBIT

305

268

14

Ammonia controllable cash cost of

Depreciation and amortization

154

85

81

product manufactured 4

45

43

5

EBITDA

$

459

$

353

30

1 Restated for the reclassification of sulfate from the Phosphate segment. See the “Segment Results” section of this MD&A and Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
2 Includes intersegment sales. See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
3 Includes other nitrogen (including ESN® and Rainbow) and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $164 million (2018 – $150 million) less cost of goods sold of $141 million (2018 – $126 million).
4 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.
n/m = not meaningful

Natural Gas Prices

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

(Dollars per MMBtu)

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

Overall gas cost excluding realized derivative

impact

$

2.34

$

2.20

6

$

2.68

$

2.47

9

Realized derivative impact

0.17

0.38

(55

)

0.10

0.33

(70

)

Overall gas cost

$

2.51

$

2.58

(3

)

$

2.78

$

2.80

(1

)

Average NYMEX

$

2.64

$

2.80

(6

)

$

2.89

$

2.90

Average AECO

0.88

0.80

10

1.18

1.14

4

Phosphate

Three months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

Tonnes (thousands)

Average per Tonne

2019

2018 1

%

Change

2019

2018 1

%

Change

2019

2018 1

%

Change

Manufactured product 2

Net sales

Fertilizer

$

263

$

233

13

681

569

20

$

385

$

410

(6

)

Industrial and feed

104

98

6

182

191

(5

)

569

513

11

367

331

11

863

760

14

424

436

(3

)

Cost of goods sold

(375

)

(306

)

23

(434

)

(403

)

8

Gross margin - manufactured

(8

)

25

n/m

(10

)

33

n/m

Gross margin - other 3

(2

)

(1

)

100

Depreciation and amortization

72

55

31

Gross margin - total

(10

)

24

n/m

Gross margin excluding depreciation

Expenses

(14

)

(3

)

367

and amortization - manufactured 4

62

88

(30

)

EBIT

(24

)

21

n/m

Depreciation and amortization

62

42

48

EBITDA

$

38

$

63

(40

)

1 Restated for the reclassification of sulfate to the Nitrogen segment. See the “Segment Results” section of this MD&A and Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
2 Includes intersegment sales. See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
3 Includes other phosphate and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $51 million (2018 – $33 million) less cost of goods sold of $53 million (2018 – $34 million).
4 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.
n/m = not meaningful

Expenses & Income Below Gross Margin

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions), except percentage amounts

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

Selling expenses 1

$

(690

)

$

(666

)

4

$

(1,228

)

$

(1,198

)

3

General and administrative expenses 2

(95

)

(97

)

(2

)

(190

)

(200

)

(5

)

Provincial mining and other taxes 3

(96

)

(65

)

48

(161

)

(113

)

42

Share-based compensation 4

(59

)

(82

)

(28

)

(116

)

(98

)

18

Other expenses

(77

)

(70

)

10

(121

)

(142

)

(15

)

Finance costs

(143

)

(133

)

8

(266

)

(252

)

6

Income tax expense

(294

)

(277

)

6

(306

)

(235

)

30

Other comprehensive (loss) income

(14

)

(105

)

(87

)

18

(175

)

n/m

1 Expenses are primarily in the Retail segment. See the “Segment Results” section of this MD&A for analysis.
2 Includes expenses in the Corporate and Others segment of $62 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 (2018 - $65 million) and $126 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 (2018 - $133 million).
3 Expenses are primarily in the Potash segment. See the “Segment Results” section of this MD&A for analysis.
4 Expenses are reported in the Corporate and Others segment.
n/m = not meaningful

Financial Condition Review

The following balance sheet categories contained variances from June 30, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 that were considered significant:

As at

Assets

June 30,

2019

December 31,

2018

$

Variance

%

Change

Cash and cash equivalents

$

616

$

2,314

(1,698

)

(73

)

Receivables

5,200

3,342

1,858

56

Inventories

4,346

4,917

(571

)

(12

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

383

1,089

(706

)

(65

)

Property, plant and equipment

19,840

18,796

1,044

6

Goodwill

11,716

11,431

285

2

Liabilities and Equity

Short-term debt

$

1,609

$

629

980

156

Current portion of long-term debt

711

1,003

(292

)

(29

)

Payables and accrued charges

5,483

6,703

(1,220

)

(18

)

Long-term debt

9,328

7,591

1,737

23

Share capital

15,768

16,740

(972

)

(6

)

Retained earnings

7,511

7,745

(234

)

(3

)

Liquidity & Capital Resources

Sources & Uses of Liquidity

See page 66 of our 2018 Annual Report for information on our sources and uses of liquidity.

Key uses in the second quarter and/or first half of 2019 included:

In the second quarter of 2019, we announced an increase of our expected quarterly dividend from $0.43 per share to $0.45 per share commencing for dividends having a record date at the end of the third quarter of 2019 and until otherwise determined by the Board.

Key sources in the second quarter and/or first half of 2019 included:

We believe that internally generated cash flow, supplemented by available borrowings under our existing financing sources, if necessary, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated capital expenditures and other cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. At this time, we do not reasonably expect any presently known trend or uncertainty to affect our ability to access our historical sources of liquidity.

Sources and Uses of Cash

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions), except percentage amounts

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

Cash provided by operating activities

$

1,172

$

601

95

$

657

$

261

152

Cash (used in) provided by investing activities

(420

)

586

n/m

(1,229

)

1,382

n/m

Cash (used in) provided by financing activities

(500

)

321

n/m

(1,109

)

206

n/m

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and

cash equivalents

(9

)

(12

)

(25

)

(17

)

(9

)

89

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

$

243

$

1,496

(84

)

$

(1,698

)

$

1,840

n/m

n/m = not meaningful

Cash and cash equivalents increased by $243 million this quarter compared to an increase of $1,496 million in the comparative quarter, due to:

In addition, the following business activities had cash impacts:

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $1,698 million in the first half of 2019 compared to an increase of $1,840 million in the first half of 2018, due to:

In addition, the following business activities had cash impacts:

Cash Requirements

For information about our contractual obligations and other commitments as at December 31, 2018 (excluding planned (but not legally committed) capital expenditures and potential share repurchases) see page 68 of our 2018 Annual Report. There were no significant changes to these contractual obligations and other commitments since December 31, 2018 aside from the changes to long-term debt discussed in this MD&A.

Capital Structure & Management

Principal Debt Instruments

We use a combination of cash generated from operations and short-term and long-term debt to finance our operations. We are in compliance with our debt covenants and did not have any changes to our credit ratings in the first half of 2019. See page 70 of our 2018 Annual Report for further information.

Short-term Debt

As at June 30, 2019

Dollars (millions)

Outstanding and committed

Remaining available

Credit limit

Credit facilities 1

$

1,609

$

3,931

$

5,540

Uncommitted letter of credit facilities

137

148

285

1 The credit facilities consist of a $4,500 million unsecured North American revolving term credit facility, a $500 million North American uncommitted revolving demand facility and approximately $540 million of other credit facilities in Europe, Australia and South America. Included in the amount outstanding and committed is $1,367 million of commercial paper and $242 million of other short-term debt. We have a $4,500 million credit limit under our commercial paper program, which is limited to the availability of backup funds backstopped by the $4,500 million unsecured revolving term credit facility. Interest rates on outstanding commercial paper ranged from 2.6 to 2.8 percent.

In the second quarter of 2019, we terminated our $500 million accounts receivable securitization program.

Long-term Debt

Our long-term debt consists primarily of notes and lease liabilities. See page 69 of our 2018 Annual Report for information on balances, rates, and maturities for our notes. During the first quarter of 2019, $500 million of our notes matured and were repaid, and an additional $500 million of notes matured and were repaid in the second quarter of 2019. On April 1, 2019, we issued $1.5 billion in senior notes. See Note 8 to the interim financial statements.

On January 1, 2019, we adopted IFRS 16 and recognized $1,059 million in lease liabilities with a weighted-average interest rate of 3.5%. As of June 30, 2019, we have total lease liabilities outstanding (including current portion) of $977 million. There were no changes to our debt covenants as a result of adoption of this standard.

Outstanding Share Data

As at

July 26, 2019

Common shares

572,871,891

Options to purchase common shares

9,417,557

For more information on our capital structure and management, see Note 25 to our 2018 financial statements.

For more information on our short-term debt and long-term debt, see Notes 22 and 23 to our 2018 financial statements, supplemented by the discussion under "Principal Debt Instruments" in this MD&A and Notes 7 and 8 to the interim financial statements.

Quarterly Results

Nutrien

PotashCorp 1

Dollars (millions) except as otherwise noted

Q2 2019

Q1 2019

Q4 2018

Q3 2018

Q2 2018

Q1 2018

Q4 2017

Q3 2017

Sales 2

$

8,657

$

3,691

$

3,725

$

3,990

$

8,105

$

3,666

$

1,081

$

1,234

Net earnings (loss) from continuing

operations

858

41

296

(1,067

)

741

(1

)

(120

)

16

Net earnings from discontinued operations

2,906

23

675

44

37

Net earnings (loss)

858

41

3,202

(1,044

)

1,416

(1

)

(76

)

53

EBITDA 4

1,781

596

944

(932

)

1,507

487

(43

)

280

Earnings (loss) per share (EPS) from continuing operations

Basic

1.48

0.07

0.48

(1.74

)

1.18

(0.14

)

0.02

Diluted

1.47

0.07

0.48

(1.74

)

1.17

(0.14

)

0.02

EPS 3

Basic

1.48

0.07

5.23

(1.70

)

2.25

(0.09

)

0.06

Diluted

1.47

0.07

5.22

(1.70

)

2.24

(0.09

)

0.06

1 Comparative figures prior to the Merger are for PotashCorp, the accounting acquirer.
2 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified for Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4 of 2018.
3 From continuing and discontinued operations.
4 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.

The agricultural products business is seasonal. Crop input sales are primarily concentrated in the spring and fall application seasons. Crop nutrient inventories are normally accumulated leading up to each application season. Our cash collections generally occur after the application season is complete, our customer prepayments are concentrated in December and January and our vendor prepayments are concentrated in the period from November to January. Feed and industrial sales are more evenly distributed throughout the year.

Beginning on January 1, 2018, earnings were impacted by the operations of Agrium acquired in the Merger. In the second quarter and fourth quarter of 2018, earnings were impacted by $0.6 billion and $2.9 billion, respectively, in after-tax gains on the sales of our investments in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. and Arab Potash Company, which were categorized as discontinued operations. In the third quarter of 2018, earnings were impacted by a $1.8 billion non-cash impairment to property, plant and equipment in the Potash segment. In the fourth quarter of 2017, earnings were impacted by a $276 million non-cash impairment to property, plant and equipment in the Phosphate segment.

Other Financial Information

2018 Annual Report Page Reference(s)

Changes in the Second Quarter and First Half of 2019

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

71

Operating leases were a significant off-balance sheet arrangement in 2018. Effective January 1, 2019 the adoption of IFRS 16 resulted in recognition of $1,059 million of these operating leases on the balance sheet.

Related Party Transactions

146-147

See Note 12 to the interim financial statements. There were no significant changes from our 2018 Annual Report.

Market Risks Associated with Financial Instruments

119

See Note 6 to the interim financial statements. There were no significant changes from our 2018 Annual Report.

Critical Accounting Estimates

71

There were no changes to our assessment of critical accounting estimates from those disclosed in our 2018 Annual Report.

Recent Accounting Changes

71 and 153

The adoption of IFRS 16 was a significant accounting change as it brought approximately $1 billion of “right-of-use assets” and lease obligations on to the balance sheet and increased EBITDA approximately $70 million in the second quarter and $130 million in the first half, due to replacing operating lease expenses with depreciation and amortization and finance costs.

Controls and Procedures

There has been no change in our internal controls over financial reporting during the three months ended June 30, 2019 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements and other information included in this document, including within “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws (such statements are often accompanied by words such as "anticipate", “forecast”, "expect", "believe", "may", "will", "should", "estimate", "intend" or other similar words). All statements in this document, other than those relating to historical information or current conditions, are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: Nutrien's updated 2019 annual guidance, including expectations regarding our adjusted net earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA (both consolidated and by segment); capital spending expectations for 2019; expectations regarding performance of our operating segments in 2019; our market outlook for 2019, including Agriculture and Retail and Crop Nutrient Markets and including anticipated supply and demand for our products and services, expected market and industry conditions with respect to crop nutrient application rates, planted acres, crop mix, prices and the impact of currency fluctuations and import and export volumes; expectations regarding completion of previously announced expansion projects (including timing and volumes of production associated therewith); and acquisitions (including Ruralco Holdings Limited) and divestitures (including expected timing of closing thereof), and the expected synergies associated with the Merger, including timing thereof. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. As such, undue reliance should not be placed on these forward-looking statements.

All of the forward-looking statements are qualified by the assumptions that are stated or inherent in such forward-looking statements, including the assumptions referred to below and elsewhere in this document. Although Nutrien believes that these assumptions are reasonable, this list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the forward-looking statements and the reader should not place an undue reliance on these assumptions and such forward-looking statements. The additional key assumptions that have been made include, among other things, assumptions with respect to Nutrien's ability to successfully complete, integrate and realize the anticipated benefits of its already completed and future acquisitions, and that we will be able to implement our standards, controls, procedures and policies at any acquired businesses to realize the expected synergies; that future business, regulatory and industry conditions will be within the parameters expected by Nutrien, including with respect to prices, margins, demand, supply, product availability, supplier agreements, availability and cost of labor and interest, exchange and effective tax rates; the completion of our expansion projects on schedule, as planned and on budget; assumptions with respect to global economic conditions and the accuracy of our market outlook expectations for 2019 and in the future (including as outlined under “Market Outlook” and on page 62 of our 2018 Annual Report); the adequacy of our cash generated from operations and our ability to access our credit facilities or capital markets for additional sources of financing; our ability to identify suitable candidates for acquisitions and divestitures and negotiate acceptable terms; our ability to maintain investment grade ratings and achieve our performance targets; the receipt, on time, of all necessary permits, utilities and project approvals with respect to our expansion projects and that we will have the resources necessary to meet the projects’ approach.

Events or circumstances that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: general global economic, market and business conditions; failure to complete announced and future acquisitions or divestitures at all or on the expected terms and within the expected timeline; weather conditions, including impacts from regional flooding and/or drought conditions; crop planted acreage, yield and prices; the supply and demand and price levels for our products; governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities, including changes in government policy (including tariffs and trade restrictions), government ownership requirements, changes in environmental, tax and other laws or regulations and the interpretation thereof; political risks, including civil unrest, actions by armed groups or conflict and malicious acts including terrorism; the occurrence of a major environmental or safety incident; innovation and security risks related to our systems; regional natural gas supply restrictions; counterparty and sovereign risk; delays in completion of turnarounds at our major facilities; gas supply interruptions at our Egyptian and Argentinian facilities; any significant impairment of the carrying value of certain assets; risks related to reputational loss; certain complications that may arise in our mining processes; the ability to attract, engage and retain skilled employees and strikes or other forms of work stoppages; and other risk factors detailed from time to time in Nutrien reports filed with the Canadian securities regulators and the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States.

The purpose of our expected adjusted net earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA by segment guidance ranges are to assist readers in understanding our expected and targeted results, and this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Nutrien disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements in this document as a result of new information or future events, except as may be required under applicable Canadian securities legislation or applicable US federal securities laws.

About Nutrien

Nutrien is the world's largest provider of crop inputs and services, playing a critical role in helping growers increase food production in a sustainable manner. We produce and distribute 27 million tonnes of potash, nitrogen and phosphate products world-wide. With this capability and our leading agriculture retail network, we are well positioned to supply the needs of our customers. We operate with a long-term view and are committed to working with our stakeholders as we address our economic, environmental and social priorities. The scale and diversity of our integrated portfolio provides a stable earnings base, multiple avenues for growth and the opportunity to return capital to shareholders.

Nutrien will host a Conference Call on Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at 10:00 am Eastern Time.

Appendix A - Selected Additional Financial Data

First Half of 2019 Operating Segment Results

Retail

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

Gross Margin Dollars (millions)

Gross Margin (%)

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

% Change

2019

2018

Sales

Crop nutrients 1

$

3,313

$

3,010

10

$

671

$

597

12

20

20

Crop protection products

3,030

3,132

(3

)

589

649

(9

)

19

21

Seed

1,553

1,524

2

259

263

(2

)

17

17

Merchandise 2

252

281

(10

)

43

49

(12

)

17

17

Services and other

403

425

(5

)

287

282

2

71

66

8,551

8,372

2

$

1,849

$

1,840

22

22

Cost of goods sold 2

(6,702

)

(6,532

)

3

Gross margin

1,849

1,840

Expenses 3

(1,320

)

(1,209

)

9

EBIT

529

631

(16

)

Depreciation and amortization

281

245

15

EBITDA

$

810

$

876

(8

)

1 Includes intersegment sales. See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
2 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified or grouped together for the six months ended June 30, 2018.
3 Includes selling expenses of $1,215 million (2018 – $1,180 million).

Potash

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

Tonnes (thousands)

Average per Tonne

2019

2018

%

Change

2019

2018

%

Change

2019

2018

%

Change

Manufactured product 1

Net sales

North America

$

502

$

472

6

1,951

2,284

(15

)

$

257

$

207

24

Offshore

1,042

740

41

4,424

4,020

10

235

184

28

1,544

1,212

27

6,375

6,304

1

242

192

26

Cost of goods sold

(589

)

(553

)

7

(92

)

(88

)

5

Gross margin - manufactured

955

659

45

150

104

44

Gross margin - other 2

1

Depreciation and amortization

34

29

17

Gross margin - total

956

659

45

Gross margin excluding depreciation

Expenses 3

(156

)

(129

)

21

and amortization - manufactured 4

184

133

38

EBIT

800

530

51

Potash cash cost of

Depreciation and amortization

214

184

16

product manufactured 4

59

59

EBITDA

$

1,014

$

714

42

1 Includes intersegment sales. See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
2 Includes other potash and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $1 million (2018 – $1 million) less cost of goods sold of $Nil (2018 – $1 million).
3 Includes provincial mining and other taxes of $154 million (2018 – $110 million).
4 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.

Nitrogen

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

Tonnes (thousands)

Average per Tonne

2019

2018 1

%

Change

2019

2018 1

%

Change

2019

2018 1

%

Change

Manufactured product 2

Net sales

Ammonia

$

458

$

478

(4

)

1,685

1,772

(5

)

$

272

$

270

1

Urea

518

466

11

1,616

1,625

(1

)

321

287

12

Solutions, nitrates and

sulfates

372

367

1

2,085

2,127

(2

)

178

173

3

1,348

1,311

3

5,386

5,524

(2

)

250

237

5

Cost of goods sold

(929

)

(919

)

1

(172

)

(166

)

4

Gross margin - manufactured

419

392

7

78

71

10

Gross margin - other 3

41

40

3

Depreciation and amortization

50

40

25

Gross margin - total

460

432

6

Gross margin excluding depreciation

Income (Expenses)

6

(27

)

n/m

and amortization - manufactured 4

128

111

15

EBIT

466

405

15

Ammonia controllable cash cost of

Depreciation and amortization

267

219

22

product manufactured 4

44

42

5

EBITDA

$

733

$

624

17

1 Restated for the reclassification of sulfate from the Phosphate segment. See the “Segment Results” section of this MD&A and Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
2 Includes intersegment sales. See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
3 Includes other nitrogen (including ESN® and Rainbow) and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $295 million (2018 – $270 million) less cost of goods sold of $254 million (2018 – $230 million).
4 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.
n/m = not meaningful

Phosphate

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

Tonnes (thousands)

Average per Tonne

2019

2018 1

%

Change

2019

2018 1

%

Change

2019

2018 1

%

Change

Manufactured product 2

Net sales

Fertilizer

$

471

$

473

1,172

1,174

$

401

$

403

Industrial and feed

215

204

5

386

412

(6

)

556

495

12

686

677

1

1,558

1,586

(2

)

440

427

3

Cost of goods sold

(679

)

(628

)

8

(436

)

(396

)

10

Gross margin - manufactured

7

49

(86

)

4

31

(87

)

Gross margin - other 3

(3

)

(1

)

200

Depreciation and amortization

78

55

42

Gross margin - total

4

48

(92

)

Gross margin excluding depreciation

Expenses

(20

)

(9

)

122

and amortization - manufactured 4

82

86

(5

)

EBIT

(16

)

39

n/m

Depreciation and amortization

122

88

39

EBITDA

$

106

$

127

(17

)

1 Restated for the reclassification of sulfate to the Nitrogen segment. See the “Segment Results” section of this MD&A and Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
2 Includes intersegment sales. See Note 2 to the interim financial statements.
3 Includes other phosphate and purchased products and is comprised of net sales of $81 million (2018 – $68 million) less cost of goods sold of $84 million (2018 – $69 million)
4 See the “Non-IFRS Financial Measures” section of this MD&A.
n/m = not meaningful

Selected Retail measures

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

2019

2018

2019

2018

Proprietary products margin as a percentage of product line margin

Crop nutrients

23

%

23

%

23

%

23

%

Crop protection products

44

%

46

%

43

%

47

%

Seed

42

%

45

%

42

%

44

%

All Products

29

%

32

%

28

%

31

%

Crop nutrients sales volumes (tonnes - thousands)

North America

4,913

4,774

6,052

6,059

International

704

732

1,144

1,150

Total

5,617

5,506

7,196

7,209

Crop nutrients selling price per tonne

North America

$

472

$

429

$

472

$

428

International

433

379

397

361

Total

467

423

460

418

Crop nutrients gross margin per tonne

North America

$

102

$

92

$

101

$

91

International

56

48

51

43

Total

96

86

93

83

Financial performance measures

2019 Target

2019 Actuals 1

Retail EBITDA to sales 2

10

%

9

%

Retail average working capital to sales 2

20

%

25

%

Retail cash operating coverage ratio 2

60

%

63

%

Retail normalized comparable store sales 2

(3

%)

Retail EBITDA per US selling location (Thousands of dollars) 2

$

844

1 Rolling four quarters ended June 30, 2019 for all measures other than the Retail normalized comparable store sales.

2 See the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section of this MD&A.

Selected Nitrogen measures

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

2019

2018

2019

2018

Sales volumes (tonnes - thousands)

Fertilizer

1,882

1,786

2,900

3,048

Industrial and feed

1,265

1,363

2,486

2,476

Net sales (millions of dollars)

Fertilizer

$

555

$

460

$

839

$

783

Industrial and feed

247

276

509

528

Net selling price per tonne

Fertilizer

$

295

$

257

$

289

$

257

Industrial and feed

196

203

205

213

Production measures

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

2019

2018

2019

2018

Potash production (Product Tonnes - thousands)

3,285

3,162

6,784

6,660

Potash shutdown weeks 1

15

18

16

24

Nitrogen production (Ammonia Tonnes - thousands) 2

1,599

1,594

3,234

3,274

Ammonia operating rate 3

91

%

90

%

92

%

93

%

Phosphate production (P2O5 Tonnes - thousands) 4

357

363

750

750

Phosphate P2O5 operating rate 4

84

%

85

%

89

%

89

%

1 Represents weeks of full production shutdown; excludes the impact of any periods of reduced operating rates and planned routine annual maintenance shutdowns and announced workforce reductions.

2 All figures are provided on a gross production basis.

3 Excludes Trinidad and Joffre.

4 Excludes Redwater; comparative figures were restated to exclude Redwater.

Appendix B - Non-IFRS Financial Measures

We use both IFRS and certain non-IFRS financial measures to assess performance. Non-IFRS financial measures are a numerical measure of a company’s performance, that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. In evaluating these measures, investors should consider that the methodology applied in calculating such measures may differ among companies and analysts.

Management believes the non-IFRS financial measures provide transparent and useful supplemental information to investors in order that they may evaluate our financial performance, financial condition and liquidity using the same measures as management. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

The following section outlines our non-IFRS financial measures, their definitions, why management uses each measure and contains reconciliations to the most directly comparable IFRS measures.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations.

Definition: EBITDA is calculated as net earnings (loss) from continuing operations before finance costs, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. For a reconciliation of the EBITDA amounts disclosed in the “Quarterly Results” section of this MD&A which are not provided below, please refer to the respective news releases for those periods. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as net earnings (loss) from continuing operations before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment, Merger and related costs and share-based compensation.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: As valuation measurements they exclude the effects of items that primarily reflect the impact of long-term investment and financing decisions, rather than the performance of our day-to-day operations, and as a measure of our ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations.

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net earnings from continuing operations

$

858

$

741

$

899

$

740

Finance costs

143

133

266

252

Income tax expense

294

277

306

235

Depreciation and amortization

486

356

906

767

EBITDA

1,781

1,507

2,377

1,994

Merger and related costs

25

15

36

81

Share-based compensation

59

82

116

98

Impairment

33

Adjusted EBITDA

$

1,865

$

1,604

$

2,562

$

2,173

Adjusted Net Earnings (and the Related Per Share Amounts)

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Net earnings from continuing operations and net earnings per share.

Definition: Net earnings from continuing operations before Merger and related costs, share-based compensation and impairment, net of tax.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: Focuses on the performance of our day-to-day operations excluding the effects of non-operating items.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

Dollars (millions), except per share amounts

Increases

(Decreases)

Post-Tax

Per

Diluted Share

Increases

(Decreases)

Post-Tax

Per

Diluted Share

Net earnings

$

858

$

1.47

$

899

$

1.52

Adjustments:

Merger and related costs

$

25

19

0.03

$

36

27

0.05

Share-based compensation

59

45

0.08

116

88

0.15

Impairment

33

25

0.04

Adjusted net earnings

$

922

$

1.58

$

1,039

$

1.76

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Earnings (and the Related Per Share Amounts) Guidance

This guidance is provided on a non-IFRS basis. We do not provide a reconciliation of such forward-looking measures to the most directly comparable financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS due to unknown variables and the uncertainty related to future results. These unknown variables may include unpredictable transactions of significant value which may be inherently difficult to determine, without unreasonable efforts. Guidance excludes the impacts of Merger and related costs and share-based compensation.

Free Cash Flow

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Cash provided by operating activities.

Definition: Cash provided by operating activities less sustaining capital expenditures, cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations and changes in non-cash operating working capital. Sustaining capital expenditures include the cost of replacements and betterments for our facilities.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: For evaluation of liquidity and financial strength, and as a component of employee remuneration calculations. It is also useful as an indicator of our ability to service debt, meet other payment obligations and make strategic investments. Free cash flow does not represent residual cash flow available for discretionary expenditures.

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions)

2019

2018

2019

2018

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

$

1,172

$

601

$

657

$

261

Cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations

(126

)

(126

)

Sustaining capital expenditures

(243

)

(250

)

(411

)

(433

)

Changes in non-cash operating working capital

379

708

1,444

1,448

Free cash flow

$

1,308

$

933

$

1,690

$

1,150

Potash Cash Cost of Product Manufactured (COPM)

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Cost of goods sold (COGS) for the Potash segment.

Definition: Potash COGS for the period excluding depreciation and amortization expense and inventory and other adjustments divided by the production tonnes for the period.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To assess operational performance. Potash cash COPM excludes the effects of production from other periods and long-term investment decisions, supporting a focus on the performance of our day-to-day operations.

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions), except per tonne amounts

2019

2018

2019

2018

Total COGS - Potash

$

317

$

274

$

589

$

554

Change in inventory

(19

)

1

25

37

Other adjustments

(5

)

4

(12

)

10

COPM

$

293

$

279

$

602

$

601

Depreciation and amortization included in COPM

(100

)

(96

)

(205

)

(206

)

Cash COPM

$

193

$

183

$

397

$

395

Production tonnes (tonnes - thousands)

3,285

3,162

6,784

6,660

Potash cash COPM per tonne

$

59

$

58

$

59

$

59

Ammonia Controllable Cash COPM

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: COGS for the Nitrogen segment.

Definition: The total of COGS for the Nitrogen segment excluding depreciation and amortization expense included in COGS, cash COGS for products other than ammonia, other adjustments, and natural gas and steam costs, divided by net ammonia production tonnes.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To assess operational performance. Ammonia controllable cash COPM excludes the effects of production from other periods, as well as the costs of natural gas and steam, and long-term investment decisions, supporting a focus on the performance of our day-to-day operations.

Three months ended June 30

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions), except per tonne amounts

2019

2018

2019

2018

Total COGS - Nitrogen

$

672

$

607

$

1,183

$

1,149

Depreciation and amortization in COGS

(136

)

(85

)

(231

)

(219

)

Cash COGS for products other than ammonia

(383

)

(380

)

(690

)

(676

)

Ammonia

Total cash COGS before other adjustments

$

153

$

142

$

262

$

254

Other adjustments 1

(50

)

(37

)

(33

)

(26

)

Total cash COPM

$

103

$

105

$

229

$

228

Natural gas and steam costs

(68

)

(70

)

(159

)

(158

)

Controllable cash COPM

$

35

$

35

$

70

$

70

Production tonnes (net tonnes 2 - thousands)

784

823

1,588

1,682

Ammonia controllable cash COPM per tonne

$

45

$

43

$

44

$

42

1 Includes changes in inventory balances and other adjustments.
2 Ammonia tonnes available for sale, as not upgraded to other Nitrogen products.

Gross Margin Excluding Depreciation and Amortization Per Tonne - Manufactured

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Gross margin.

Definition: Gross margin from manufactured products less depreciation and amortization per tonne. (Reconciliations are provided in the “Segment Results” section of this MD&A).

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: Focuses on the performance of our day-to-day operations, which excludes the effects of items that primarily reflect the impact of long-term investment and financing decisions.

Retail Normalized Comparable Store Sales

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Retail sales from comparable base as a component of total Retail sales.

Definition: Prior year comparable store sales adjusted for published potash, nitrogen and phosphate benchmark prices and foreign exchange rates used in the current year. We retain sales of closed locations in the comparable base if the closed location is in close proximity to an existing location, unless we plan to exit the market area or are unable to economically or logistically serve it. We do not adjust for temporary closures, expansions or renovations of stores.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To evaluate sales growth by adjusting for fluctuations in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates. Included are locations owned for more than 12 months.

Six months ended June 30

Dollars (millions), except percentage amounts

2019

2018

Sales from comparable base

Current period

$

8,307

$

8,166

Prior period

8,372

1

7,947

Comparable store sales (%)

(1

%)

3

%

Prior period normalized for benchmark prices and foreign exchange rates

8,587

1

8,109

Normalized comparable store sales (%)

(3

%)

1

%

1 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified for 2018.

Retail EBITDA to Sales

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Retail EBITDA divided by Retail sales.

Definition: Retail EBITDA divided by Retail sales for the last four rolling quarters.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To evaluate operational efficiency. A higher or lower percentage represents increased or decreased efficiency, respectively.

Rolling four quarters ended June 30, 2019

Dollars (millions), except percentage amounts

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Total

EBITDA

$

116

$

214

$

(26

)

$

836

$

1,140

Sales 1

2,131

2,017

2,039

6,512

12,699

EBITDA to Sales

9

%

1 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified for Q3 and Q4 of 2018.

Retail Average Working Capital to Sales

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: (Current assets minus current liabilities for Retail) divided by Retail sales.

Definition: Retail average working capital divided by Retail sales for the last four rolling quarters.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To evaluate operational efficiency. A lower or higher percentage represents increased or decreased efficiency, respectively.

Rolling four quarters ended June 30, 2019

Dollars (millions), except percentage amounts

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Average/Total

Working capital

$

3,633

$

2,312

$

3,190

$

3,741

$

3,219

Sales 1

2,131

2,017

2,039

6,512

12,699

Average working capital to sales

25

%

1 Certain immaterial figures have been reclassified for Q3 and Q4 of 2018.

Retail Cash Operating Coverage Ratio

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Retail expenses below gross margin as a percentage of Retail gross margin.

Definition: Retail gross margin less depreciation and amortization and EBIT, divided by Retail gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization expense in cost of goods sold for the last four rolling quarters. Starting in the second quarter of 2019, we no longer adjust for Merger-related adjustments to align with the 2019 target calculations.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To understand the costs and underlying economics of our Retail operations and to assess our Retail operating performance and ability to generate free cash flow.

Rolling four quarters ended June 30, 2019

Dollars (millions), except percentage amounts

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Total

Gross margin

$

533

$

662

$

409

$

1,440

$

3,044

Depreciation and amortization in cost of goods sold

1

2

2

1

6

Gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization

$

534

$

664

$

411

$

1,441

$

3,050

EBIT

6

(82

)

162

(691

)

(605

)

Depreciation and amortization

(122

)

(132

)

(134

)

(144

)

(532

)

Operating expenses excluding depreciation and amortization

$

418

$

450

$

439

$

606

$

1,913

Cash operating coverage ratio

63

%

Retail EBITDA Per US Selling Location

Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Retail US EBITDA.

Definition: Total Retail US EBITDA for the last four rolling quarters adjusted for acquisitions in those quarters, divided by the number of US locations that have generated sales in the last four rolling quarters adjusted for acquired locations.

Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: To assess our US Retail operating performance. Included are locations owned for more than 12 months.

Rolling four quarters ended June 30, 2019

Dollars (millions) except as otherwise noted

Q3 2018

Q4 2018

Q1 2019

Q2 2019

Total

US EBITDA

$

44

$

121

$

(58

)

$

672

$

779

Adjustments for acquisitions

(12

)

US EBITDA adjusted for acquisitions

$

767

US selling locations

909

EBITDA per US selling location (thousands of dollars)

$

844

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

Unaudited in millions of US dollars except as otherwise noted

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

2019

2018

2019

2018

Note 1

Note 1

SALES

Note 2

$

8,657

$

8,105

$

12,348

$

11,771

Freight, transportation and distribution

(250

)

(214

)

(421

)

(422

)

Cost of goods sold

(6,095

)

(5,760

)

(8,640

)

(8,371

)

GROSS MARGIN

2,312

2,131

3,287

2,978

Selling expenses

(690

)

(666

)

(1,228

)

(1,198

)

General and administrative expenses

(95

)

(97

)

(190

)

(200

)

Provincial mining and other taxes

(96

)

(65

)

(161

)

(113

)

Share-based compensation

(59

)

(82

)

(116

)

(98

)

Other expenses

Note 3

(77

)

(70

)

(121

)

(142

)

EARNINGS BEFORE FINANCE COSTS AND INCOME TAXES

1,295

1,151

1,471

1,227

Finance costs

(143

)

(133

)

(266

)

(252

)

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

1,152

1,018

1,205

975

Income tax expense

Note 4

(294

)

(277

)

(306

)

(235

)

NET EARNINGS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

858

741

899

740

Net earnings from discontinued operations

Note 5

675

675

NET EARNINGS

$

858

$

1,416

$

899

$

1,415

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS

Basic

$

1.48

$

1.18

$

1.52

$

1.16

Diluted

1.47

1.17

1.52

1.16

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Basic

$

$

1.07

$

$

1.06

Diluted

1.07

1.06

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE FROM CONTINUING AND

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Basic

$

1.48

$

2.25

$

1.52

$

2.22

Diluted

1.47

2.24

1.52

2.22

Weighted average shares outstanding for basic earnings

per share ("EPS")

581,433,000

630,548,000

591,792,000

636,438,000

Weighted average shares outstanding for diluted EPS

582,360,000

631,073,000

592,714,000

636,971,000

(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

(Net of related income taxes)

2019

2018

2019

2018

Note 1

Note 1

NET EARNINGS

$

858

$

1,416

$

899

$

1,415

Other comprehensive (loss) income

Items that will not be reclassified to net earnings:

Net actuarial (loss) gain on defined benefit plans

(1

)

56

Net fair value loss on investments

(24

)

(10

)

(15

)

(93

)

Items that have been or may be subsequently reclassified to net earnings:

Gain (loss) on currency translation of foreign operations

16

(97

)

35

(138

)

Other

(6

)

3

(2

)

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(14

)

(105

)

18

(175

)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

$

844

$

1,311

$

917

$

1,240

(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

2019

2018

2019

2018

Note 1

Note 1

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net earnings

$

858

$

1,416

$

899

$

1,415

Adjustments for:

Depreciation and amortization

486

356

906

767

Share-based compensation

59

82

116

98

Impairment of assets

33

Provision for deferred income tax

150

306

147

298

Gain on sale of investment

Note 5

(841

)

(841

)

Other long-term liabilities and miscellaneous

(2

)

(10

)

(28

)

Changes in non-cash operating working capital:

Receivables

(1,905

)

(1,644

)

(2,051

)

(1,831

)

Inventories

2,207

1,696

698

(5

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

369

209

824

854

Payables and accrued charges

(1,050

)

(969

)

(915

)

(466

)

CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES

1,172

601

657

261

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Additions to property, plant and equipment

(369

)

(323

)

(659

)

(561

)

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

Note 10

(2

)

(60

)

(489

)

(245

)

Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations, net of tax

Note 5

45

1,067

55

1,819

Purchase of investments

(96

)

(108

)

(122

)

(108

)

Cash acquired in Merger

466

Other

2

10

(14

)

11

CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES

(420

)

586

(1,229

)

1,382

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Transaction costs on long-term debt

(29

)

(15

)

(29

)

(21

)

(Repayment of) proceeds from short-term debt, net

(45

)

1,399

959

1,895

Proceeds from long-term debt

Note 8

1,510

1,510

Repayment of long-term debt

Note 8

(500

)

(6

)

(1,000

)

(6

)

Repayment of principal portion of lease liabilities

(63

)

(116

)

Dividends paid

Note 9

(256

)

(255

)

(520

)

(460

)

Repurchase of common shares

Note 9

(1,132

)

(803

)

(1,930

)

(1,204

)

Issuance of common shares

Note 9

15

1

17

2

CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES

(500

)

321

(1,109

)

206

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

(9

)

(12

)

(17

)

(9

)

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

243

1,496

(1,698

)

1,840

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD

373

460

2,314

116

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD

$

616

$

1,956

$

616

$

1,956

Cash and cash equivalents comprised of:

Cash

$

378

$

595

$

378

$

595

Short-term investments

238

1,361

238

1,361

$

616

$

1,956

$

616

$

1,956

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOWS INFORMATION

Interest paid

$

128

$

127

$

242

$

241

Income taxes paid (received)

70

67

(45

)

96

Total cash outflow for leases

88

164

(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity

Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income ("AOCI")

Share Capital

Contributed

Surplus

Net Fair Value

Loss on

Investments

Net

Actuarial

Gain on

Defined Benefit

Plans 1

Loss on

Currency

Translation

of Foreign

Operations

Other

Total

AOCI

Retained

Earnings

Total

Equity 2

Note 1

BALANCE –

DECEMBER 31, 2018

$

16,740

$

231

$

(7

)

$

$

(251

)

$

(33

)

$

(291

)

$

7,745

$

24,425

Net earnings

899

899

Other comprehensive (loss)

income

(15

)

35

(2

)

18

18

Shares repurchased (Note 9)

(992

)

(886

)

(1,878

)

Dividends declared

(244

)

(244

)

Effect of share-based compensation including issuance of common shares

20

7

27

Transfer of net loss on investment

3

3

(3

)

Transfer of net loss on cash flow hedges

4

4

4

BALANCE – JUNE 30, 2019

$

15,768

$

238

$

(19

)

$

$

(216

)

$

(31

)

$

(266

)

$

7,511

$

23,251

BALANCE –

DECEMBER 31, 2017

$

1,806

$

230

$

73

$

$

(2

)

$

(46

)

$

25

$

6,242

$

8,303

Merger impact

15,898

7

(1

)

15,904

Net earnings

1,415

1,415

Other comprehensive (loss)

income

(93

)

56

(138

)

(175

)

(175

)

Shares repurchased (Note 9)

(685

)

(23

)

(561

)

(1,269

)

Dividends declared

(507

)

(507

)

Effect of share-based compensation including issuance of common shares

5

9

14

Transfer of net actuarial gain on defined benefit plans

(56

)

(56

)

56

Transfer of net loss on sale of investment (Note 5)

19

19

(19

)

Transfer of net loss on cash flow hedges

15

15

15

BALANCE – JUNE 30, 2018

$

17,024

$

223

$

(1

)

$

$

(140

)

$

(31

)

$

(172

)

$

6,625

$

23,700

1 Any amounts incurred during a period were closed out to retained earnings at each period-end. Therefore, no balance exists at the beginning or end of period.
2 All equity transactions were attributable to common shareholders.
(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

As at

June 30, 2019

December 31, 2018

ASSETS

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

616

$

2,314

Receivables

5,200

3,342

Inventories

4,346

4,917

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

383

1,089

10,545

11,662

Non-current assets

Property, plant and equipment

19,840

18,796

Goodwill

11,716

11,431

Other intangible assets

2,291

2,210

Investments

Note 10

796

878

Other assets

518

525

TOTAL ASSETS

$

45,706

$

45,502

LIABILITIES

Current liabilities

Short-term debt

Note 7

$

1,609

$

629

Current portion of long-term debt

Note 8

711

1,003

Payables and accrued charges

5,483

6,703

7,803

8,335

Non-current liabilities

Long-term debt

Note 8

9,328

7,591

Deferred income tax liabilities

Note 4

3,082

2,907

Pension and other post-retirement benefit liabilities

420

395

Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs

1,657

1,673

Other non-current liabilities

165

176

TOTAL LIABILITIES

22,455

21,077

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Share capital

Note 9

15,768

16,740

Contributed surplus

238

231

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(266

)

(291

)

Retained earnings

7,511

7,745

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

23,251

24,425

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

$

45,706

$

45,502

(See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

As at and for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

Note 1 Basis of Presentation

Nutrien Ltd. (collectively with its subsidiaries, known as “Nutrien” or the “Company” except to the extent the context otherwise requires) is an integrated ag solutions provider and plays a critical role in helping growers around the globe increase food production in a sustainable manner. Nutrien is the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. Disclosures related to the merger of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. and Agrium Inc. (the “Merger”) can be found in Note 2 of the Company’s 2018 annual consolidated financial statements.

These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements (“interim financial statements”) are based on International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IFRS”) and have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard (“IAS”) 34, “Interim Financial Reporting”. The accounting policies and methods of computation used in preparing these interim financial statements are consistent with those used in the preparation of the Company’s 2018 annual consolidated financial statements, with the exception of IFRS 16, “Leases” (“IFRS 16”), which was adopted effective January 1, 2019, and resulted in an increase to property, plant and equipment and long-term debt of approximately $1 billion at January 1, 2019. Other impacts from adoption of IFRS 16 are disclosed in Note 13 of Nutrien’s first quarter 2019 unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. These interim financial statements include the accounts of Nutrien and its subsidiaries; however, they do not include all disclosures normally provided in annual consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2018 annual consolidated financial statements.

Certain immaterial 2018 figures have been reclassified or grouped together in the condensed consolidated statements of: earnings, comprehensive income, cash flows, changes in shareholders’ equity and in the segment information.

In management’s opinion, the interim financial statements include all adjustments necessary to fairly present such information in all material respects. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for any other interim period or the fiscal year.

These interim financial statements were authorized by the audit committee of the Board of Directors for issue on July 29, 2019.

Note 2 Segment Information

The Company’s four reportable operating segments are: Retail, Potash, Nitrogen and Phosphate. The Retail segment distributes crop nutrients, crop protection products, seed and merchandise, and provides services directly to growers through a network of farm centers in North and South America and Australia. The Potash, Nitrogen and Phosphate segments are differentiated by the chemical nutrient contained in the products that each produces. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker reassessed product groupings and decided to evaluate the performance of ammonium sulfate as part of the Nitrogen segment, rather than the Phosphate and Sulfate segment reported in the Company’s 2018 annual consolidated financial statements. Comparative amounts for Nitrogen and Phosphate were restated. For the three months ended June 30, 2018, Nitrogen reflected increases of $33, $18 and $18 in sales, gross margin and EBITDA, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2018, Nitrogen reflected increases of $60, $23 and $28 in sales, gross margin and EBITDA, respectively, as well as $377 in assets as at December 31, 2018, with corresponding decreases in Phosphate. In addition, the “Others” segment was renamed to “Corporate and Others”.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

Retail

Potash

Nitrogen

Phosphate

Corporate and Others

Eliminations

Consolidated

Sales – third party

$

6,503

$

873

$

857

$

424

$

$

$

8,657

– intersegment

9

47

235

60

(351

)

Sales – total

6,512

920

1,092

484

(351

)

8,657

Freight, transportation

and distribution

(72

)

(126

)

(66

)

14

(250

)

Net sales

6,512

848

966

418

(337

)

Cost of goods sold

(5,072

)

(317

)

(672

)

(428

)

394

(6,095

)

Gross margin

1,440

531

294

(10

)

57

2,312

Selling expenses

(683

)

(1

)

(7

)

(2

)

3

(690

)

General and administrative

expenses

(27

)

(5

)

(1

)

(62

)

(95

)

Provincial mining and other taxes

(91

)

(1

)

(4

)

(96

)

Share-based compensation

(59

)

(59

)

Other (expenses) income

(39

)

23

(10

)

(51

)

(77

)

Earnings (loss) before finance

costs and income taxes

691

439

305

(24

)

(173

)

57

1,295

Depreciation and amortization

145

114

154

62

11

486

EBITDA 1

$

836

$

553

$

459

$

38

$

(162

)

$

57

$

1,781

Assets – at June 30, 2019

$

19,340

$

11,853

$

10,828

$

2,265

$

1,756

$

(336

)

$

45,706

1 Consolidated EBITDA is a non-IFRS measure calculated as net earnings (loss) from continuing operations before finance costs, income taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Non-IFRS measures are a numerical measure of a company’s performance, that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS. In evaluating these measures, investors should consider that the methodology applied in calculating such measures may differ among companies and analysts. Management believes the non-IFRS measures provide transparent and useful supplemental information to investors in order that they may evaluate Nutrien’s financial performance using the same measures as management. As a valuation measurement, EBITDA excludes the effects of items that primarily reflect the impact of long-term investment and financing decisions, rather than the performance of the Company’s day-to-day operations, and is used as a measure of the Company’s ability to service debt and to meet other payment obligations. This non-IFRS financial measure should not be considered as a substitute for, nor superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2018

Retail

Potash

Nitrogen 1

Phosphate 1

Corporate and Others

Eliminations

Consolidated

Sales – third party

$

6,291

$

666

$

801

$

347

$

$

$

8,105

– intersegment

11

50

201

66

(328

)

Sales – total

6,302

716

1,002

413

(328

)

8,105

Freight, transportation

and distribution

(78

)

(116

)

(49

)

29

(214

)

Net sales

6,302

638

886

364

(299

)

Cost of goods sold

(4,870

)

(274

)

(607

)

(340

)

331

(5,760

)

Gross margin

1,432

364

279

24

32

2,131

Selling expenses

(657

)

(3

)

(8

)

(2

)

4

(666

)

General and administrative

expenses

(25

)

(2

)

(4

)

(1

)

(65

)

(97

)

Provincial mining and other taxes

(62

)

(1

)

(1

)

(1

)

(65

)

Share-based compensation

(82

)

(82

)

Other income (expenses)

14

(4

)

2

1

(83

)

(70

)

Earnings (loss) before finance

costs and income taxes

764

293

268

21

(227

)

32

1,151

Depreciation and amortization

122

93

85

42

14

356

EBITDA

$

886

$

386

$

353

$

63

$

(213

)

$

32

$

1,507

Assets – at December 31, 2018

$

17,964

$

11,710

$

10,386

$

2,406

$

3,678

$

(642

)

$

45,502

1 Comparative figures have been restated to reflect the change in the sulfate product grouping from Phosphate and Sulfate to Nitrogen.

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

Retail

Potash

Nitrogen

Phosphate

Corporate and Others

Eliminations

Consolidated

Sales – third party

$

8,533

$

1,580

$

1,469

$

766

$

$

$

12,348

– intersegment

18

110

372

117

(617

)

Sales – total

8,551

1,690

1,841

883

(617

)

12,348

Freight, transportation

and distribution

(145

)

(198

)

(116

)

38

(421

)

Net sales

8,551

1,545

1,643

767

(579

)

Cost of goods sold

(6,702

)

(589

)

(1,183

)

(763

)

597

(8,640

)

Gross margin

1,849

956

460

4

18

3,287

Selling expenses

(1,215

)

(5

)

(14

)

(3

)

9

(1,228

)

General and administrative

expenses

(54

)

(7

)

(3

)

(126

)

(190

)

Provincial mining and other taxes

(154

)

(1

)

(1

)

(5

)

(161

)

Share-based compensation

(116

)

(116

)

Other (expenses) income

(51

)

3

28

(13

)

(88

)

(121

)

Earnings (loss) before finance

costs and income taxes

529

800

466

(16

)

(326

)

18

1,471

Depreciation and amortization

281

214

267

122

22

906

EBITDA

$

810

$

1,014

$

733

$

106

$

(304

)

$

18

$

2,377

Assets – at June 30, 2019

$

19,340

$

11,853

$

10,828

$

2,265

$

1,756

$

(336

)

$

45,706

Six Months Ended June 30, 2018

Retail

Potash

Nitrogen 1

Phosphate 1

Corporate and Others

Eliminations

Consolidated

Sales – third party

$

8,350

$

1,268

$

1,437

$

716

$

$

$

11,771

– intersegment

22

118

338

132

(610

)

Sales – total

8,372

1,386

1,775

848

(610

)

11,771

Freight, transportation

and distribution

(173

)

(194

)

(103

)

48

(422

)

Net sales

8,372

1,213

1,581

745

(562

)

Cost of goods sold

(6,532

)

(554

)

(1,149

)

(697

)

561

(8,371

)

Gross margin

1,840

659

432

48

(1

)

2,978

Selling expenses

(1,180

)

(6

)

(16

)

(5

)

9

(1,198

)

General and administrative

expenses

(48

)

(5

)

(10

)

(4

)

(133

)

(200

)

Provincial mining and other taxes

(110

)

(1

)

(1

)

(1

)

(113

)

Share-based compensation

(98

)

(98

)

Other income (expenses)

19

(8

)

1

(154

)

(142

)

Earnings (loss) before finance

costs and income taxes

631

530

405

39

(377

)

(1

)

1,227

Depreciation and amortization

245

184

219

88

31

767

EBITDA

$

876

$

714

$

624

$

127

$

(346

)

$

(1

)

$

1,994

Assets – at December 31, 2018

$

17,964

$

11,710

$

10,386

$

2,406

$

3,678

$

(642

)

$

45,502

1 Comparative figures have been restated to reflect the change in the sulfate product grouping from Phosphate and Sulfate to Nitrogen.

The Company disaggregated revenue from contracts with customers by product line or geographic location for each reportable segment to show how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

2019

2018

2019

2018

Retail sales by product line

Crop nutrients

$

2,626

$

2,326

$

3,313

$

3,010

Crop protection products

2,286

2,358

3,030

3,132

Seed

1,197

1,183

1,553

1,524

Merchandise

144

161

252

281

Services and other

259

274

403

425

$

6,512

$

6,302

$

8,551

$

8,372

Potash sales by geography

Manufactured Product

North America

$

329

$

300

$

647

$

645

Offshore 1

591

416

1,042

740

Other potash and purchased products

1

1

$

920

$

716

$

1,690

$

1,386

Nitrogen sales by product line 2

Manufactured Product

Ammonia

$

354

$

322

$

541

$

558

Urea

331

281

562

513

Solutions, nitrates and sulfates

229

238

420

413

Other nitrogen and purchased products

178

161

318

291

$

1,092

$

1,002

$

1,841

$

1,775

Phosphate sales by product line 2

Manufactured Product

Fertilizer

$

307

$

265

$

547

$

541

Industrial and feed

116

108

240

226

Other phosphate and purchased products

61

40

96

81

$

484

$

413

$

883

$

848

1 Relates primarily to Canpotex Ltd. ("Canpotex") (Note 12).
2 Comparative figures have been restated to reflect the change in the sulfate product grouping from Phosphate and Sulfate to Nitrogen.

Note 3 Other Expenses

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

2019

2018

2019

2018

Earnings of equity-accounted investees

$

30

$

4

$

47

$

11

Merger and related costs

(25

)

(15

)

(36

)

(81

)

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

(5

)

(12

)

2

Impairment of assets 1

(33

)

Other expenses

(77

)

(59

)

(87

)

(74

)

$

(77

)

$

(70

)

$

(121

)

$

(142

)

1 During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company impaired certain intangible assets.

Note 4 Income Taxes

A separate estimated average annual effective income tax rate was determined for each taxing jurisdiction and applied individually to the interim period pre-tax earnings from continuing operations for each jurisdiction.

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

Income Tax Related to Continuing Operations

2019

2018

2019

2018

Income tax expense

$

(294

)

$

(277

)

$

(306

)

$

(235

)

Actual effective tax rate on earnings from continuing operations

26

%

27

%

25

%

24

%

Actual effective tax rate including discrete items

26

%

27

%

25

%

24

%

Discrete tax adjustments that impacted the tax rate

$

11

$

(1

)

$

(4

)

$

2

Income tax balances within the condensed consolidated balance sheets were comprised of the following:

As at

As at

Income Tax Assets (Liabilities)

Balance Sheet Location

June 30, 2019

December 31, 2018

Current income tax assets

Current

Receivables

$

46

$

248

Non-current

Other assets

36

36

Deferred income tax assets

Other assets

240

216

Total income tax assets

$

322

$

500

Current income tax liabilities

Current

Payables and accrued charges

$

(44

)

$

(47

)

Non-current

Other non-current liabilities

(42

)

(64

)

Deferred income tax liabilities

Deferred income tax liabilities

(3,082

)

(2,907

)

Total income tax liabilities

$

(3,168

)

$

(3,018

)

Note 5 Discontinued Operations

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, there were no discontinued operations.

In 2018, the Company’s investments in Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (“SQM”), Israel Chemical Ltd. (“ICL”) and Arab Potash Company (“APC”) were presented as discontinued operations. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company sold its investments in ICL, a portion of its investment in SQM and its Conda Phosphate operations for proceeds, net of commissions, of $1,061, $685 and $73, respectively.

Net earnings from discontinued operations were comprised of:

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018

Gain on disposal of investment in SQM

$

841

Dividend income of SQM, APC and ICL 1

126

Income tax expense 2

(292

)

Net earnings from discontinued operations

$

675

1 Dividend income is included in cash provided by operating activities on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
2 For 2018, income tax expense is comprised of $255 relating to the disposals of certain SQM shares including the planned repatriation of the net proceeds, and $37 relating to earnings from discontinued operations.

Note 6 Financial Instruments

Fair Value

Estimated fair values for financial instruments are designed to approximate amounts for which the instruments could be exchanged in a current arm’s-length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties. The valuation policies and procedures for financial reporting purposes are determined by the Company’s finance department. There have been no changes to the Company’s valuation methods presented in Note 13 of the 2018 annual consolidated financial statements and those valuation methods have been applied in these interim financial statements.

The following table presents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for financial assets and financial liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis or measured at amortized costs:

June 30, 2019

December 31, 2018

Financial instruments measured at

Carrying Amount

Level 1 1

Level 2 1

Carrying Amount

Level 1 1

Level 2 1

Fair value on a recurring basis

Cash and cash equivalents

$

616

$

$

616

$

2,314

$

$

2,314

Derivative instrument assets

6

6

5

5

Other current financial assets

- marketable securities 2

168

22

146

97

12

85

Investments at FVTOCI 3

170

170

186

186

Derivative instrument liabilities

(54

)

(54

)

(71

)

(71

)

Amortized cost

Current portion of long-term debt

Senior notes and debentures 4

$

(493

)

$

(509

)

$

$

(995

)

$

$

(1,009

)

Fixed and floating rate debt

(10

)

(10

)

(8

)

(8

)

Long-term debt

Senior notes and debentures 4

(8,534

)

(4,640

)

(4,178

)

(7,569

)

(1,004

)

(6,177

)

Fixed and floating rate debt

(24

)

(24

)

(22

)

(22

)

1 Financial instruments included in Level 1 are measured using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities, while those classified as Level 2 are measured using significant other observable inputs. During the period ended June 30, 2019, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for financial instruments measured at fair value. The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers at the end of the reporting period.
2 Marketable securities consist of equity and fixed income securities. The Company determines the fair value of equity securities based on the bid price of identical instruments in active markets. The Company values fixed income securities using quoted prices of instruments with similar terms and credit risk.
3 Investments at FVTOCI are comprised of shares in Sinofert Holdings Ltd. (“Sinofert”) (December 31, 2018 – Sinofert and other).
4 Carrying amount of liability includes net unamortized debt issue costs.

Note 7 Short-Term Debt

During the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Company terminated its $500 accounts receivable securitization program. There were no loan drawdowns made under this program in 2019.

Note 8 Long-Term Debt

In April 2019, the Company issued $750 aggregate principal amount of 4.200 percent senior notes due April 1, 2029 and $750 aggregate principal amount of 5.000 percent senior notes due April 1, 2049 (together, the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes are unsecured, rank equally with Nutrien’s existing unsecured debt, and have no sinking fund requirements prior to maturity. Each series of Senior Notes is redeemable and provides for redemption prior to maturity, at the Company’s option, at specified prices.

During the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company repaid $500 aggregate principal amount of 6.750 percent debentures that matured on January 15, 2019 and $500 aggregate principal amount of 6.500 percent senior notes that matured on May 15, 2019.

Note 9 Share Capital

Authorized

The Company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of common shares without par value and an unlimited number of preferred shares. The common shares are not redeemable or convertible. The preferred shares may be issued in one or more series with rights and conditions to be determined by the Board of Directors. No preferred shares have been issued.

Issued

Number of

Common Shares

Share Capital

Balance – December 31, 2018

608,535,477

$

16,740

Issued under option plans and share-settled plans

397,889

20

Repurchased

(36,066,766

)

(992

)

Balance – June 30, 2019

572,866,600

$

15,768

Share repurchase programs

Board of Directors Approval

Expiry

Maximum Shares for Repurchase

2018 Normal Course Issuer Bid 1

February 20, 2018

February 22, 2019

50,363,686

2019 Normal Course Issuer Bid 2

February 20, 2019

February 26, 2020

30,133,631

1 On December 14, 2018, the normal course issuer bid was increased to permit the repurchase of up to eight percent of the Company’s outstanding common shares.
2 The normal course issuer bid permits the repurchase of up to five percent of the Company’s outstanding common shares and can expire earlier than the date above if the maximum number of common shares allowable is acquired earlier or the Company otherwise decides not to make any further repurchases.

Purchases under the 2019 normal course issuer bid were made through open market purchases at market price as well as by other means as permitted by applicable securities regulatory authorities, including private agreements. The Company purchased the maximum authorized amount under the 2019 normal course issuer bid by June 30, 2019.

The following table summarizes the Company’s share repurchase activities during the period:

Three Months Ended June 30

Six Months Ended June 30

2019

2018

2019

2018

Common shares repurchased for cancellation

20,590,564

15,616,536

36,066,766

24,938,123

Average price per share

$

52.27

$

52.00

$

52.07

$

50.88

Total Cost

$

1,076

$

812

$

1,878

$

1,269

Repurchase resulting in a reduction of:

Share capital

$

566

$

429

$

992

$

685

Contributed surplus 1

23

Retained earnings 1

510

383

886

561

1 The excess of net cost over the average book value of the shares.

Dividends declared

The Company declared dividends per share of $0.43 (2018 - $0.40) during the three months ended June 30, 2019, payable on July 18, 2019 to shareholders of record on June 28, 2019, and $0.43 (2018 - $0.80) during the six months ended June 30, 2019.

On May 27, 2019, the Company announced an increase in the expected quarterly dividend from $0.43 per share to $0.45 per share commencing with the quarterly dividend having a record date at the end of the third quarter of 2019 and until otherwise determined by the Board of Directors.

Note 10 Business Acquisitions

During the first half of 2019, the Retail segment acquired 46 Retail locations in North and South America and Australia, which included companies operating within the proprietary products business, such as Actagro, LLC, a developer, manufacturer and marketer of environmentally sustainable soil and plant health products and technologies. Benefits of the acquisitions include expansion of geographical coverage for the sale of crop input products, increased customer base and workforce, and synergies between Nutrien and the acquired businesses.

The purchase price allocation for these acquisitions is not final as the Company is still gathering and analyzing information relating to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities, including fair values and the resulting income tax impact. The Company has engaged independent valuation experts to assist in determining the fair value of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

The preliminary values allocated to the acquired assets and assumed liabilities based upon fair values were as follows:

June 30, 2019

Current assets

$

222

Property, plant and equipment

111

Goodwill 1

277

Other intangible assets

161

Current liabilities

(136

)

Long-term debt, including current portion

(36

)

Other non-current liabilities

(10

)

Total consideration

$

589

Previously held equity-accounted interest in Agrichem 2

(100

)

Total consideration, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired

$

489

1 Goodwill was calculated as the excess of fair value of consideration transferred over the recognized amount of net identifiable assets acquired. The portion of goodwill deductible for income tax purposes will be determined when the purchase allocation is finalized.
2 In the first half of 2019, the Company acquired the remaining 20 percent interest in Agrichem, a fertilizer producer and marketer located in Brazil, making it a wholly owned consolidated subsidiary. Prior to this acquisition, the Company held an 80 percent ownership interest in Agrichem, and under a contractual agreement, had joint control with the other shareholder of Agrichem. At the date of acquisition of the remaining 20 percent interest, the Company ceased equity accounting for its investment in Agrichem.

Three Months Ended June 30, 2019

Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

Financial information related to business acquisitions 1

Sales from date of acquisitions

$

156

$

168

Net earnings from continuing operations before income taxes from

date of acquisitions

$

6

$

2

1 Estimated annual sales and earnings before finance costs, income taxes and depreciation and amortization if acquisitions occurred at the beginning of the year are approximately $420 and $70, respectively.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company announced an agreement to acquire Ruralco Holdings Limited (“Ruralco”), an agriservices business in Australia with more than 500 operating locations, for an estimated purchase price of AUD$469. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including Ruralco shareholder approval and regulatory approval from the Australia Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Foreign Investment Review Board, and is expected to be completed in the second half of 2019.

Note 11 Seasonality

Seasonality in the Company’s business results from increased demand for products during planting season. Crop input sales are generally higher in spring and fall application seasons. Crop input inventories are normally accumulated leading up to each application season. Feed and industrial sales are more evenly distributed throughout the year. The results of this seasonality have a corresponding effect on trade and rebates receivables, inventories, prepaid expenses and other current assets and trade payables. Our short-term debt also fluctuates during the year to meet working capital needs. The Company’s cash collections generally occur after the application season is complete while customer prepayments are concentrated in December and January.

Note 12 Related Party Transactions

The Company sells potash from its Canadian mines for use outside Canada and the United States exclusively to Canpotex. Sales are at prevailing market prices and are settled on normal trade terms. Sales to Canpotex for the three months ended June 30, 2019 were $591 (2018 – $416) and the six months ended June 30, 2019 were $1,042 (2018 – $740). At June 30, 2019, $332 (December 31, 2018 – $208) was owing from Canpotex.

Investor and Media Relations:

Richard Downey

Vice President, Investor & Corporate Relations

(403) 225-7357

[email protected]

Investor Relations:

Jeff Holzman

Senior Director, Investor Relations

(306) 933-8545

Tim Mizuno

Manager, Investor Relations

(306) 933-8548

Contact us at: www.nutrien.com

Selected financial data for download can be found in our data tool at www.nutrien.com/investors/interactive-datatool

Such data is not incorporated by reference herein.

Source: Nutrien Ltd.

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