Bunge Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 31, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Bunge Limited (NYSE: BG)

• Q2 GAAP EPS of $1.43 vs. $(0.20) in the prior year; $1.52 vs. $0.10 on an adjusted basis
• Results include $135 million net unrealized gain on Bunge Ventures' stake in Beyond Meat, Inc.
• Agribusiness benefited from approximately $70 million in timing differences in soy crush, along with increased soy crush volumes, partly offset by lower structural margins
• Food & Ingredients largely in-line as strength in Edible Oils offset weakness in Milling
• Achieved major portfolio optimization milestone with announcement of Brazilian sugar JV with BP

• Overview

Greg Heckman, Bunge's Chief Executive Officer, commented, "The second quarter benefited from timing differences and the contribution from a venture investment. Operating results in core businesses were generally in-line with our outlook. We remain committed to improving operational performance, optimizing the portfolio and strengthening financial discipline. To that end, we are pleased that subsequent to quarter-end, we reached agreement with BP on a 50/50 JV for our sugar and bioenergy business in Brazil.

We continue to strengthen our team with strategic and experienced hires, including Chief Financial Officer John Neppl and Chief Risk Officer Robert Wagner, both of whom joined Bunge during the second quarter," Mr. Heckman continued. "Together, we are focused on delivering results and enhancing shareholder value over the long term."

• Financial Highlights

• Second Quarter Results

Agribusiness
In Oilseeds, structural soy crush margins were lower due to the combination of farmer retention of soybeans in anticipation of higher prices and increased meal availability with the return of Argentine supply. However, second quarter results benefited from approximately $70 million of timing differences in soy crush as margins decreased in many markets toward the end of the quarter. As we execute on these contracts, mainly in the third quarter, we expect these gains to reverse. Oilseed trading & distribution results were lower than last year.

In Grains, origination results improved in South America, which benefited from lower costs and more favorable logistics. This more than offset lower results in North America, which was negatively impacted by the combination of extreme weather and low export demand due to the U.S.-China trade dispute. While results in trading & distribution were not a contributor to the quarter, performance was better than last year.

Edible Oil Products
Improved results in the quarter were primarily driven by higher margins in South America due to a better supply-demand balance. In North America, stronger demand contributed to better results versus last year. Results in Europe and Asia were comparable to last year.

Milling
The decline in segment performance was mainly driven by Brazil, where results were impacted by lower volumes and margins as consumers remained price sensitive, particularly in the food service channel. Results in the U.S. and Mexico were slightly lower than last year.

Sugar & Bioenergy
Higher sugarcane milling results were primarily driven by lower costs and increased ethanol volumes and prices, partially offset by lower sugar volume and margins. In 2018 results were impacted by a $26 million loss in sugar trading & distribution, primarily due to both unwinding activity in preparation for exiting the business and a $14 million bad debt charge.

Fertilizer
Stronger results in the quarter were primarily driven by our Argentine operation, which benefited from higher volumes and prices, as well as lower costs. Results in the year ago quarter were negatively impacted by foreign exchange on imported fertilizer inventory resulting from the devaluation of the Argentine peso.

Cash Flow
Cash used by operations in the six months ended June 30, 2019 was $1.1 billion compared to cash used of approximately $3.5 billion in the same period last year. The year-over-year variance was primarily due to a decrease in inventory. Trailing four-quarter adjusted funds from operations was approximately $1.4 billion as of the quarter ended June 30, 2019.

Income Taxes
Income taxes for the quarter ended June 30, 2019 were $60 million.

• Outlook

Outlook
Based on current market conditions, the Company's view on 2019 full-year consolidated results has not changed from its previously disclosed outlook, originally provided on February 21, 2019. This outlook excludes the impact of the $135 million net unrealized gain from Bunge Ventures' investment in Beyond Meat.

In Agribusiness, based on the current soy crush margin environment, 2019 full-year results would be expected to be lower than 2018.  Actual soy crush margins over the course of the year are likely to evolve based on U.S.-China trade discussions, crop sizes and farmer commercialization. Based on the current softseed crush margin environment, results would be slightly higher than last year, driven by strong oil demand. Improvements in risk management and in how we operate should support higher results in Grains compared with last year.

In Food & Ingredients, full-year results in Edible Oils should benefit from 12 months of ownership of Loders Croklaan, as well as increased synergies from the integration of our B2B businesses. Favorable Milling operating environments in Brazil and the U.S. are likely to be partially offset by more challenging conditions in Mexico.

In Sugar & Bioenergy, based on normal weather and forward price curves for sugar and ethanol, full-year 2019 results would be expected to be about break-even.  As in past years, results will be seasonally weighted to the second half.

In Fertilizer, based on the current market environment, full-year results would be lower than last year.

Additionally, the Company expects the following for 2019: A tax rate in the range of 22% to 26%; net interest expense in the range of $290 to $310 million; capital expenditures of approximately $550 million, of which approximately $115 million is related to sugarcane milling; and depreciation, depletion and amortization of approximately $650 million.

• Conference Call and Webcast Details

Bunge Limited's management will host a conference call at 8:00 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 to discuss the company's results.

Additionally, a slide presentation to accompany the discussion of results will be posted on www.bunge.com.

To listen to the call, please dial (877) 270-2148. If you are located outside the United States or Canada, dial (412) 902-6510. Please dial in five to 10 minutes before the scheduled start time. The call will also be webcast live at www.bunge.com.

To access the webcast, go to "Webcasts and presentations" in the "Investors" section of the company's website. Select "Q2 2019 Bunge Limited Conference Call" and follow the prompts. Please go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register and download any necessary audio software.

A replay of the call will be available later in the day on July 31, 2019, continuing through August 31, 2019. To listen to it, please dial (877) 344-7529 in the United States, (855) 669-9658 in Canada, or (412) 317-0088 in other locations. When prompted, enter confirmation code 10133021. A replay will also be available in "Past events" at "Webcasts and presentations" in the "Investors" section of the company's website.

• About Bunge Limited

Bunge (www.bunge.com, NYSE: BG) is a world leader in sourcing, processing and supplying oilseed and grain products and ingredients. Founded in 1818, Bunge's expansive network feeds and fuels a growing world, creating sustainable products and opportunities for more than 70,000 farmers and the consumers they serve across the globe. The company is headquartered in New York and has 31,000 employees worldwide who stand behind more than 360 port terminals, oilseed processing plants, grain silos, and food and ingredient production and packaging facilities around the world.

• Website Information

We routinely post important information for investors on our website, www.bunge.com, in the "Investors" section. We may use this website as a means of disclosing material, non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investors section of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, presentations and webcasts. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

• Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations and projections about our future results, performance, prospects and opportunities. We have tried to identify these forward-looking statements by using words including "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "intend," "estimate," "continue" and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause our actual results, performance, prospects or opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements. The following important factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements: the outcome and effects of the Board's strategic review; our ability to attract and retain executive management and key personnel;  industry conditions, including fluctuation