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Agrium's Solid First Quarter Results Driven by Strong Operating Performance

03.05.2016  |  Marketwired

May 3, 2016 -- All Amounts Are Stated in U.S.$


CALGARY, AB--(Marketwired - May 03, 2016) - Agrium Inc. (TSX: AGU)  (NYSE: AGU) announced today its 2016 first quarter earnings results, with net earnings attributable to equity holders of Agrium  of $2-million ($0.02 diluted earnings per share) compared to $12-million ($0.08 diluted earnings per share) in the first quarter of 2015. The reduction in net earnings was driven by weaker selling prices across all nutrients. This was largely offset by excellent results achieved from our Retail operations and strong Wholesale operational performance.

Highlights:

"Agrium's first quarter results once again highlight the resilience of our business model," commented Chuck Magro, Agrium's President and CEO. "Our Retail business achieved impressive first quarter EBITDA, with strong margins across all major product lines. Our Wholesale business unit continued to demonstrate excellent operating performance and capitalized on our extensive competitive advantages," added Mr. Magro.

1  First  quarter effective tax rate of 29 percent used for adjusted net earnings and per share calculations. These are non-IFRS measures which represent net earnings adjusted for certain income (expenses) that are considered to be non-operational in nature. We believe these measures provide meaningful comparison to the earnings of other companies by eliminating share-based payments expense (recovery), gains (losses) on foreign exchange and related gains (losses) on non-qualifying derivative hedges and significant non-operating, non-recurring items. These should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS and may not be directly comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
2  Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.

             
ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS RECONCILIATION            
             
    Three months ended
    March 31, 2016
        Net earnings    
        impact    
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)   Expense   (post-tax)   Per share (a)
        3   0.02
Adjustments:            
  Share-based payments   4   3   0.02
  Foreign exchange loss net of non-qualifying derivatives   2   1   0.01
Adjusted net earnings (b)       7   0.05
(a) This represents diluted per share information attributable to  equity holders of Agrium.
(b) First quarter effective tax rate of 29 percent was used for the  adjusted net earnings and per share calculations.
   

MARKET OUTLOOK

Agricultural & Crop Input Markets

Nitrogen Outlook

Potash Outlook

Phosphate Outlook

2016 ANNUAL GUIDANCE

Based on our Market Outlook, Agrium expects to achieve annual diluted earnings per share of $5.25  to $6.25  in 2016 compared to our previous estimate of $5.50 to $7.00. We have lowered the guidance range due to a challenging pricing environment for all nutrients and expectations for a stronger Canadian dollar, partially offset by lower natural gas costs and continued strong performance by our Retail business. We are issuing earnings guidance of $4.00  to $4.30  diluted earnings per share for the first half of 2016.

We have reduced our estimate of potash production to 2.3 to 2.4 million tonnes.

Retail crop nutrient sales tonnes for 2016 are now expected to be from 9.8 million to 10.3 million tonnes. The slight widening of the range from our previous estimate is due to a forecasted increase in U.S. planted corn acres.

Our estimates for the Canada/U.S. foreign exchange rate and NYMEX for 2016 have been updated based on current market conditions.

This guidance and updated additional measures and related assumptions are summarized in the table below. Guidance excludes the impact of share-based payments expense (recovery), gains (losses) on foreign exchange and non-qualifying derivative hedges and significant non-operating, non-recurring items. Volumetric and earnings estimates assume normal seasonal growing and harvest patterns in the geographies where Agrium operates.

2016 ANNUAL GUIDANCE RANGE AND ASSUMPTIONS

   
  Annual
  Low High
Diluted EPS (in U.S. dollars) $5.25 $6.25
Guidance assumptions:    
Wholesale:    
  Production tonnes:    
    Nitrogen (millions) 3.5 3.7
    Potash (millions) 2.3 2.4
Retail:    
  EBITDA (millions of U.S. dollars) $1,075 $1,175
  Crop nutrient sales tonnes (millions) 9.8 10.3
Other:    
  Operational tax rate 28% 27%
  Sustaining capital expenditures (millions of U.S. dollars) $500 $550
  Total capital expenditures (millions of U.S. dollars) $800 $900
  Canada/U.S. foreign exchange rate $1.31 $1.36
  NYMEX gas price ($/MMBtu) $2.65 $2.05
       

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

May 3, 2016

Unless otherwise noted, all financial information in this Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) is prepared using accounting policies in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and is presented in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 - Interim Financial Reporting. All comparisons of results for the first quarter of 2016 (three months ended March 31, 2016) are against results for the first quarter of 2015 (three months ended March 31, 2015). All dollar amounts refer to United States (U.S.) dollars except where otherwise stated.

The following interim MD&A is as of May 3, 2016 and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2016 (the "Consolidated Financial Statements"), and the annual MD&A and financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015 included in our 2015 Annual Report to Shareholders. The Board of Directors 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 publication, approves this disclosure, pursuant to the authority delegated to it by the Board of Directors. No update is provided to the disclosure in our annual MD&A except for material information since the date in our annual MD&A. In respect of Forward-Looking Statements, please refer to the section titled "Forward-Looking Statements" in this MD&A.

 
2016 First Quarter Operating Results
 
CONSOLIDATED NET EARNINGS
 
Financial  Overview                
 
    Three months ended March  31,
(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts and where  noted)   2016   2015   Change   % Change
Sales   2,725   2,872   (147 )   (5 )
Gross profit   554   584   (30 )   (5 )
Expenses   479   509   (30 )   (6 )
Earnings before finance costs and income taxes   75   75   -     -  
Net earnings   3   14   (11 )   (79 )
Diluted earnings per share   0.02   0.08   (0.06 )   (75 )
Effective tax rate (%)   29   26   N/A     N/A  
   
Sales and Gross Profit  
                   
    Three months ended March 31,  
(millions of U.S. dollars)   2016     2015     Change  
Sales                  
  Retail   2,290     2,263     27  
  Wholesale   649     867     (218 )
  Other   (214 )   (258 )   44  
    2,725     2,872     (147 )
                   
Gross profit                  
  Retail   402     371     31  
  Wholesale   153     234     (81 )
  Other   (1 )   (21 )   20  
    554     584     (30 )
                   

Expenses

             
Other expenses breakdown            
    Three months ended March 31,  
(millions of U.S. dollars)   2016     2015  
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange and related derivatives   2     (1 )
Interest income   (13 )   (17 )
Gain on sale of assets   -     (38 )
Environmental remediation and asset retirement obligations   2     9  
Bad debt expense   8     7  
Potash profit and capital tax   3     5  
Other   9     2  
    11     (33 )
             
 
Depreciation and Amortization                  
 
                                 
    Three months ended March 31,
    2016           2015    
    Cost of       General       Cost of       General    
    product       and       product       and    
(millions of U.S. dollars)   sold   Selling   administrative   Total   sold   Selling   administrative   Total
Retail   2   63   2   67   1   54   2   57
Wholesale                                
  Nitrogen   13   -   -   13   18   -   -   18
  Potash   20   -   -   20   14   -   -   14
  Phosphate   10   -   -   10   13   -   -   13
  Wholesale Other (a)   1   -   -   1   5   -   -   5
    44   -   -   44   50   -   -   50
Other   -   -   3   3   -   -   4   4
Total   46   63   5   114   51   54   6   111
(a) This includes product purchased for resale, ammonium  sulfate, Environmentally Smart Nitrogen ® (ESN) and other products.
   
Effective Tax Rate

BUSINESS SEGMENT PERFORMANCE

                 
Retail                
                 
    Three months ended  March 31,  
(millions of U.S. dollars, except where noted)   2016   2015     Change  
Sales   2,290   2,263     27  
Cost of product sold   1,888   1,892     (4 )
Gross profit   402   371     31  
EBITDA (a)   44   (8 )   52  
Selling expense as a percentage of sales (%)   18   19     (1 )
(a) Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before finance  costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.
   
 
Retail sales and gross profit by product line
     
    Three months ended March 31,
    Sales   Gross profit   Gross profit (%)
(millions of U.S. dollars, except where noted)   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015
Crop nutrients   839   911   (72 )   134   126   8     16   14
Crop protection products   831   793   38     121   108   13     15   14
Seed   376   308   68     51   40   11     14   13
Merchandise   117   142   (25 )   19   20   (1 )   16   14
Services and other   127   109   18     77   77   -     61   71
                                     

Crop nutrients

Crop protection products

Seed

Merchandise

Services and other

             
Wholesale            
             
    Three months ended  March 31,
(millions of U.S. dollars, except where noted)   2016   2015   Change
Sales   649   867   (218 )
Sales volumes (tonnes 000's)   1,926   2,034   (108 )
Cost of product sold   496   633   (137 )
Gross profit   153   234   (81 )
Expenses   34   40   (6 )
Gain on sale of assets   -   38   (38 )
               
 
Wholesale NPK product information
    Three months ended March 31,
    Nitrogen   Potash   Phosphate
    2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change   2016   2015   Change
Gross profit (U.S. dollar millions)   95   143   (48 )   14   7   7     20   45   (25 )
Sales volumes (tonnes 000's)   741   761   (20 )   456   185   271     220   282   (62 )
Selling price ($/tonne)   338   414   (76 )   199   361   (162 )   589   639   (50 )
Cost of product sold ($/tonne)   209   226   (17 )   168   324   (156 )   499   481   18  
Gross margin ($/tonne)   129   188   (59 )   31   37   (6 )   90   158   (68 )
                                           

Nitrogen

 
Natural gas prices: North American indices and North American  Agrium prices
    Three months ended March 31,
(U.S. dollars per MMBtu)   2016   2015
Overall gas cost excluding realized derivative impact   1.61   2.52
Realized derivative impact   0.33   0.41
Overall gas cost   1.94   2.93
Average NYMEX   2.05   2.96
Average AECO   1.53   2.22
         

Potash

Phosphate

Wholesale  Other

             
Wholesale Other: gross profit breakdown
    Three months  ended March 31,
(millions of U.S. dollars)   2016   2015   Change
Ammonium sulfate   10   17   (7 )
ESN   8   11   (3 )
Product purchased for resale   5   7   (2 )
Other   1   4   (3 )
    24   39   (15 )
               

Expenses

Other

EBITDA for our Other non-operating business unit for the first quarter of 2016 had a net expense of $18-million, compared to a net expense of $88-million for the first quarter of 2015. The variance was primarily due to the following:

FINANCIAL CONDITION

The following are changes to working capital on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to December 31, 2015.

 
(millions of U.S. dollars, except where  noted)
 
 
March 31, 2016   December 31, 2015   $ Change   % Change   Explanation  of the change in balance
Current assets                    
  Cash  and cash equivalents   276   515   (239 )   (46 %)   See discussion under the  section "Liquidity and Capital Resources".
  Accounts  receivable   2,200   2,053   147     7 %   Increased Retail trade  receivables consistent with the start of the spring season.
  Income  taxes receivable   61   4   57     1,425 %   First quarter tax  installments paid exceeded the first quarter tax provision.
  Inventories   4,524   3,314   1,210     37 %   Seasonal Retail inventory  build-up in preparation for the spring season.
  Prepaid  expenses and deposits   254   688   (434 )   (63 %)   Drawdown of prepaid  inventory as Retail took delivery of product in anticipation of the spring  season.
  Other  current assets   152   144   8     6 %   -
Current liabilities                        
  Short-term  debt   629   835   (206 )   (25 %)   Decrease primarily due to  seasonally lower working capital requirements, partially offset by increased  financing for capital investments.
  Accounts  payable   5,309   3,919   1,390     35 %   Retail inventory  purchases and customer prepayments made in anticipation of the spring season.
  Income  taxes payable   1   82   (81 )   (99 %)   2015 tax accrual was  paid.
  Current  portion of long-term debt   108   8   100     1,250 %   Increase  relates to $100-million 7.7 percent debentures coming due in 2017.
  Current  portion of other provisions   81   85   (4 )   (5 %)   -
Working capital   1,339   1,789   (450 )   (25 %)    
                         

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Agrium generally expects that it will be able to meet its working capital requirements, capital resource needs and shareholder returns through a variety of sources, including available cash on hand, cash provided by operations, short-term borrowings from the issuance of commercial paper, and borrowings from our credit facilities, as well as long-term debt and equity capacity from the capital markets.

As of March 31, 2016, we have sufficient current assets to meet our current liabilities.

Summary of Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Below is a summary of our cash provided by or used in operating, investing, and financing activities as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

       
    Three months ended March 31,  
(millions of U.S. dollars)   2016     2015     Change  
Cash provided by operating activities   343     705     (362 )
Cash used in investing activities   (277 )   (461 )   184  
Cash used in financing activities   (325 )   (295 )   (30 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   20     (17 )   37  
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (239 )   (68 )   (171 )
                   
 
Cash  provided by operating activities - drivers behind the $362-million decrease
Use  of cash €¢ $159-million decrease in cash related to taxes is  due to the 2015 final tax payments being higher than the 2014 final tax  payments.

€¢ $47-million decrease in cash due to higher  interest payments made in the first quarter of 2016 resulting from the timing  of interest paid on debt issued during 2014 and 2015.
Cash  used in investing activities - drivers behind the $184-million decrease in  use
Use  of cash €¢ Lower capital expenditures  than the first quarter of 2015 due to the ramp-up of our Vanscoy  potash facility coupled with decreased spending for the Borger project.
Cash  used in financing activities - drivers behind the $30-million increase in use
Use  of cash €¢ In 2015, we generated $1-billion of cash through  long-term debt issuance and paid back $1.2-billion in short-term debt. In  2016, we paid $240-million in short-term debt. There was no debt  issuance in 2016.
   
         
Capital Spending and Expenditures (a)        
    Three months ended
    March 31,
(millions of U.S. dollars)   2016   2015
Retail        
  Sustaining   47   54
  Investing   9   9
    56   63
  Acquisitions(b)   94   60
    150   123
Wholesale        
  Sustaining   49   40
  Investing   68   295
    117   335
Other        
  Sustaining   1   1
Total        
  Sustaining   97   95
  Investing   77   304
    174   399
  Acquisitions(b)   94   60
    268   459
(a) This excludes capitalized borrowing costs.
(b) This represents business acquisitions and includes acquired working capital; property, plant and equipment; intangibles; goodwill; and investments in associates and joint ventures.
   

Short-term Debt

Capital Management

SHARE REPURCHASES

We are allowed to purchase for cancellation, on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) or New York Stock Exchange an aggregate of 6,908,450 common shares (5 percent) of our outstanding shares. Repurchases may be made under a Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) approved by the TSX until February 18, 2017. The actual number of shares purchased will be at Agrium's discretion and will depend on market conditions, share prices, Agrium's cash position and other factors.  

There were no shares repurchased for the three months ended March 31, 2016 or the period from April 1, 2016 to May 3, 2016.

Shareholders can obtain a copy of the NCIB notice submitted to the TSX from Agrium without charge upon request.

OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA

Agrium had 138,175,400 outstanding shares at April 29, 2016.

   
SELECTED QUARTERLY INFORMATION  
                                       
(millions of U.S. dollars,   2016   2015   2015   2015   2015   2014     2014     2014  
except per share amounts)   Q1   Q4   Q3   Q2   Q1   Q4     Q3     Q2  
Sales   2,725   2,407   2,524   6,992   2,872   2,705     2,920     7,338  
Gross profit   554   900   696   1,708   584   732     665     1,599  
Net earnings from  continuing operations   3   200   99   675   14   70     91     625  
Net loss from discontinued operations   -   -   -   -   -   (19 )   (41 )   (9 )
Net earnings   3   200   99   675   14   51     50     616  
Earnings per share from continuing  operations attributable to equity  holders of Agrium:                                      
  Basic and diluted   0.02   1.45   0.72   4.71   0.08   0.46     0.63     4.34  
Loss per share from  discontinued operations attributable  to equity holders of Agrium:                                      
  Basic and diluted   -   -   -   -   -   (0.13 )   (0.28 )   (0.06 )
Earnings per share attributable to  equity holders of Agrium:                                      
  Basic and diluted   0.02   1.45   0.72   4.71   0.08   0.33     0.35     4.28  
                                       

The agricultural products business is seasonal. Consequently, year-over-year comparisons are more appropriate than quarter-over-quarter comparisons. Crop input sales are primarily concentrated in the spring and fall crop input application seasons.  Crop nutrient inventories are normally accumulated leading up to each application season.  Our cash collections from accounts receivables generally occur after the application season is complete, and our customer prepayments are concentrated in December and January.

NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES

Financial measures that are not specified, defined or determined under IFRS are non-IFRS measures unless they are presented in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Accordingly, we have not identified any non-IFRS financial measures. We presented EBITDA in our 2015 annual consolidated financial statements and accordingly, it is not a non-IFRS measure. Effective January 1, 2016, management no longer considers "Adjusted EBITDA" in evaluating our business performance and expects to focus more on our other key earnings measures.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with IFRS, which requires us to make judgments, assumptions and estimates in applying accounting policies. For further information on the Company's critical accounting estimates, refer to the section "Critical Accounting Estimates" in our 2015 annual MD&A, which is contained in our 2015 Annual Report. Since the date of our 2015 annual MD&A, there have not been any material changes to our critical accounting estimates.

CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The accounting policies applied in our Consolidated Financial Statements for the three months ended March 31, 2016 are the same as those applied in our audited annual financial statements in our 2015 Annual Report.

BUSINESS RISKS

The information presented in the "Enterprise Risk Management" section on pages 63 - 66 in our 2015 annual MD&A and under the heading "Risk Factors" on pages 23 - 34 in our Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2015 has not changed materially since December 31, 2015.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2016 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PUBLIC SECURITIES FILINGS

Additional information about our Company, including our 2015 Annual Information Form is filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities through SEDAR at www.sedar.com and with the U.S. securities regulatory authorities through EDGAR at www.sec.gov.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements and other information included in this document constitute "forward-looking information" and/or "financial outlook" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation or constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities legislation (collectively, the "forward-looking statements"). All statements in this news release other than those relating to historical information or current conditions are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements as to management's expectations with respect to: updated 2016 annual guidance, including expectations regarding our diluted earnings per share; capital spending expectations for the remaining three quarters of 2016; expectations regarding performance of our business segments in 2016; and our market outlook for the 2016, including nitrogen, potash and phosphate outlook 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. 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. The purpose of the outlook provided herein is to assist readers in understanding our expected and targeted financial and operating results, and this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

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 Agrium 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 Agrium's ability to successfully 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 Agrium, including with respect to prices, margins, product availability and supplier agreements; 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 2016 and in the future; 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 negotiate acceptable terms; our ability to maintain our investment grade rating and achieve our performance targets; and our 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. Also refer to the discussion under the heading "Key Assumptions and Risks in Respect of Forward-Looking Statements" in our 2015 annual MD&A and under the heading "Market Outlook" in this document, with respect to further material assumptions associated with our forward-looking statements.

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; 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 major products may vary from what we currently anticipate; governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities, including changes in government policy, government ownership requirements, changes in environmental, tax and other laws or regulations and the interpretation thereof, and political risks, including civil unrest, actions by armed groups or conflict, regional natural gas supply restrictions, as well as counterparty and sovereign risk; delays in completion of turnarounds at our major facilities; gas supply interruptions at the Egyptian Misr Fertilizers Production Company S.A.E. nitrogen facility expansion in Egypt; the risk of additional capital expenditure cost escalation or delays in respect of our Borger nitrogen expansion project and the ramp-up of production following the tie-in of our Vanscoy potash expansion project; and other risk factors detailed from time to time in Agrium reports filed with the Canadian securities regulators and the Securities and Exchange Commission in the U.S. including those disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2015 and under the headings "Enterprise Risk Management" and "Key Assumptions and Risks in respect of Forward-Looking Statements" in our 2015 annual MD&A.

The purpose of our expected diluted earnings per share guidance range is to assist readers in understanding our expected and targeted financial results, and this information may not be appropriate for other purposes.

Agrium 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 U.S. federal securities laws or applicable Canadian securities legislation.

OTHER

Agrium Inc. is a major producer and distributor of agricultural products and services in  North America,  South America, Australia and Egypt through its agricultural retail-distribution and wholesale nutrient businesses. Agrium supplies growers with key products and services such as crop nutrients, crop protection, seed, and agronomic and application services, thereby helping to meet the ever growing global demand for food and fiber. Agrium produces nitrogen, potash and phosphate fertilizers, with a combined wholesale nutrient capacity of over ten million tonnes and with competitive advantages across all product lines. Agrium retail-distribution has an unmatched network of over 1,400 facilities and more than 3,800 crop consultants. We partner with over half a million grower customers globally to help them increase their yields and returns on more than 50 different crops. With a focus on sustainability, the company strives to improve the communities in which it operates through safety, education, environmental improvement and new technologies such as the development of precision agriculture and controlled release nutrient products. Agrium is focused on driving operational excellence across our businesses, pursuing value-enhancing growth opportunities and returning capital to shareholders. For more information visit: www.agrium.com.

A WEBSITE SIMULCAST of the 2016 1st Quarter Conference Call will be available in a listen-only mode beginning Wednesday, May 4th, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. MT (10:00 a.m. ET). Please visit the following website: www.agrium.com.

   
AGRIUM INC.  
Consolidated Statements of Operations  
(Unaudited)  
   
   
      Three months ended  
      March 31,  
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated) Notes   2016     2015  
                 
Sales     2,725     2,872  
Cost of product sold     2,171     2,288  
Gross profit     554     584  
Expenses              
  Selling     414     430  
  General and administrative     55     67  
  Share-based payments 5   4     45  
  Earnings from associates and joint ventures     (5 )   -  
  Other expenses (income) 4   11     (33 )
Earnings before finance costs and income taxes     75     75  
  Finance costs related to long-term debt     52     37  
  Other finance costs     18     19  
Earnings before income taxes     5     19  
  Income taxes     2     5  
Net earnings     3     14  
Attributable to              
  Equity holders of Agrium     2     12  
  Non-controlling interest     1     2  
Net earnings     3     14  
                 
Earnings per share attributable to equity holders of Agrium              
  Basic and diluted earnings per share     0.02     0.08  
  Weighted average number of shares outstanding for basic  and diluted earnings per share (millions of common shares)     138     144  
See accompanying notes.              
               

Basis of preparation and statement of compliance

These consolidated interim financial statements ("interim financial statements") were approved for issuance by the Audit Committee on May 3, 2016. We prepared these interim financial statements in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting. These interim financial statements do not include all information and disclosures normally provided in annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with our audited annual financial statements and related notes contained in our 2015 Annual Report, available at www.agrium.com.

The accounting policies applied in these interim financial statements are the same as those applied in our audited annual financial statements in our 2015 Annual Report.

   
AGRIUM INC.  
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income  
(Unaudited)  
   
   
      Three months ended  
      March 31,  
(millions of U.S. dollars) Notes   2016     2015  
                       
Net earnings     3     14  
  Other comprehensive income (loss)              
    Items that are or may be reclassified to earnings              
      Cash flow hedges 3            
        Effective portion of changes in fair value     (23 )   (16 )
        Deferred income taxes     7     4  
      Share of comprehensive income (loss) of associates and joint ventures     2     (5 )
      Foreign currency translation              
        Gains (losses)     179     (295 )
  Other comprehensive income (loss)     165     (312 )
Comprehensive income (loss)     168     (298 )
Attributable to              
  Equity holders of Agrium     167     (299 )
  Non-controlling interest     1     1  
Comprehensive income (loss)     168     (298 )
See accompanying notes.              
               
               
AGRIUM INC.  
Consolidated Balance Sheets  
(Unaudited)  
   
   
    March 31,     December 31,  
(millions of U.S. dollars) Notes 2016     2015     2015  
Assets                  
  Current assets                  
    Cash and cash equivalents   276     780     515  
    Accounts receivable   2,200     2,045     2,053  
    Income taxes receivable   61     112     4  
    Inventories   4,524     4,820     3,314  
    Prepaid expenses and deposits   254     315     688  
    Other current assets   152     123     144  
    7,467     8,195     6,718  
  Property, plant and equipment   6,712     6,177     6,333  
  Intangibles   645     660     632  
  Goodwill   1,988     2,027     1,980  
  Investments in associates and joint ventures   637     595     607  
  Other assets   54     69     54  
  Deferred income tax assets   52     72     53  
    17,555     17,795     16,377  
Liabilities and shareholders' equity                  
  Current liabilities                  
    Short-term debt 6 629     265     835  
    Accounts payable   5,309     5,672     3,919  
    Income taxes payable   1     4     82  
    Current portion of long-term debt   108     1     8  
    Current portion of other provisions   81     88     85  
    6,128     6,030     4,929  
  Long-term debt   4,415     4,534     4,513  
  Post-employment benefits   132     144     124  
  Other provisions   337     332     336  
  Other liabilities   76     75     85  
  Deferred income tax liabilities   402     393     383  
    11,490     11,508     10,370  
  Shareholders' equity                  
    Share capital   1,759     1,823     1,757  
    Retained earnings   5,414     5,402     5,533  
    Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (1,113 )   (946 )   (1,287 )
    Equity holders of Agrium   6,060     6,279     6,003  
    Non-controlling interest   5     8     4  
    Total equity   6,065     6,287     6,007  
    17,555     17,795     16,377  
See accompanying notes.                  
                   
                   
                   
AGRIUM INC.  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows  
(Unaudited)  
   
   
    Three months ended  
    March 31,  
(millions of U.S. dollars)   2016     2015  
             
Operating            
  Net earnings   3     14  
  Adjustments for            
    Depreciation and amortization   114     111  
    Earnings from associates and joint ventures   (5 )   -  
    Share-based payments   4     45  
    Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments   83     26  
    Unrealized foreign exchange (gain) loss   (124 )   41  
    Interest income   (13 )   (17 )
    Finance costs   70     56  
    Income taxes   2     5  
    Other   6     (25 )
  Interest received   14     17  
  Interest paid   (89 )   (42 )
  Income taxes (paid) received   (141 )   18  
  Dividends from associates and joint ventures   1     1  
  Net changes in non-cash working capital   418     455  
Cash provided by operating activities   343     705  
Investing            
  Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired   (94 )   (60 )
  Capital expenditures   (174 )   (399 )
  Capitalized borrowing costs   (5 )   (15 )
  Purchase of investments   (23 )   (42 )
  Proceeds from sale of investments   18     18  
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment   4     50  
  Other   (3 )   5  
  Net changes in non-cash working capital   -     (18 )
Cash used in investing activities   (277 )   (461 )
Financing            
  Short-term debt   (204 )   (1,160 )
  Long-term debt issued   -     1,000  
  Transaction costs on long-term debt   -     (14 )
  Repayment of long-term debt   (2 )   (13 )
  Dividends paid   (119 )   (109 )
  Shares issued   -     1  
Cash used in financing activities   (325 )   (295 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents   20     (17 )
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (239 )   (68 )
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period   515     848  
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period   276     780  
See accompanying notes.            
             
             
             
AGRIUM INC.
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
(Unaudited)
 
                Other comprehensive income (loss)            



(millions of U.S. dollars, except per share data)
  Millions
of
common
shares
 

Share
capital
 

Retained
earnings
 
Cash
flow
hedges
  Comprehensive
loss of
associates and
joint ventures
 
Foreign
currency
translation
 


Total
 
Equity
holders of
Agrium
 
Non-
controlling
interest
 

Total
equity
December 31, 2014   144   1,821   5,502     (27 )   (11 )   (605 )   (643 )   6,680     7     6,687  
  Net earnings   -   -   12     -     -     -     -     12     2     14  
  Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax                                                        
    Other   -   -   -     (12 )   (5 )   (294 )   (311 )   (311 )   (1 )   (312 )
  Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   -   -   12     (12 )   (5 )   (294 )   (311 )   (299 )   1     (298 )
  Dividends ($0.78 per share)   -   -   (112 )   -     -     -     -     (112 )   -     (112 )
  Share-based payment transactions   -   2   -     -     -     -     -     2     -     2  
  Reclassification of cash flow hedges, net of tax   -   -   -     8     -     -     8     8     -     8  
March 31, 2015   144   1,823   5,402     (31 )   (16 )   (899 )   (946 )   6,279     8     6,287  
                                                         
December 31, 2015   138   1,757   5,533     (56 )   (17 )   (1,214 )   (1,287 )   6,003     4     6,007  
  Net earnings   -   -   2     -     -     -     -     2     1     3  
  Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax                                                        
    Other   -   -   -     (16 )   2     179     165     165     -     165  
  Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax   -   -   2     (16 )   2     179     165     167     1     168  
  Dividends ($0.875 per share)   -   -   (121 )   -     -     -     -     (121 )   -     (121 )
  Share-based payment transactions   -   2   -     -     -     -     -     2     -     2  
  Reclassification of cash flow hedges, net of tax   -   -   -     9     -     -     9     9     -     9  
March 31, 2016   138   1,759   5,414     (63 )   (15 )   (1,035 )   (1,113 )   6,060     5     6,065  
See accompanying notes.
 
Agrium Inc.
Summarized Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
 

1. Corporate Management

Corporate information

Agrium Inc. ("Agrium") is incorporated under the laws of Canada with common shares listed under the symbol "AGU" on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Our Corporate head office is located at 13131 Lake Fraser Drive S.E., Calgary, Canada. We conduct our operations globally from our Wholesale head office in Calgary and our Retail head office in Loveland, Colorado, United States. In these financial statements, "we", "us", "our" and "Agrium" mean Agrium Inc., its subsidiaries and joint arrangements.

We categorize our operating segments within the Retail and Wholesale business units as follows:

Additional information on our operating segments is included in note 2.

Seasonality in our business results from increased demand for our products during planting seasons. Sales are generally higher in spring and fall.

 
AGRIUM INC.
Summarized Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
 
2.   Operating Segments
 
 
Segment information by business unit   Three months ended March 31,
      2016   2015
      Retail   Wholesale   Other (a)   Total   Retail   Wholesale   Other (a)   Total
Sales - external   2,278     447     -     2,725     2,260     612     -     2,872  
  - inter-segment   12     202     (214 )   -     3     255     (258 )   -  
Total sales   2,290     649     (214 )   2,725     2,263     867     (258 )   2,872  
Cost of product sold   1,888     496     (213 )   2,171     1,892     633     (237 )   2,288  
Gross profit   402     153     (1 )   554     371     234     (21 )   584  
Gross profit (%)   18     24           20     16     27           20  
Expenses                                                
  Selling   410     8     (4 )   414     423     11     (4 )   430  
  General and administrative   22     8     25     55     26     10     31     67  
  Share-based payments   -     -     4     4     -     -     45     45  
  (Earnings) loss from associates and joint ventures   (4 )   (1 )   -     (5 )   (1 )   3     (2 )   -  
  Other (income) expenses   (3 )   19     (5 )   11     (12 )   (22 )   1     (33 )
(Loss) earnings before finance costs and income taxes   (23 )   119     (21 )   75     (65 )   232     (92 )   75  
  Finance costs   -     -     70     70     -     -     56     56  
(Loss) earnings before income taxes   (23 )   119     (91 )   5     (65 )   232     (148 )   19  
  Depreciation and amortization   67     44     3     114     57     50     4     111  
  Finance costs   -     -     70     70     -     -     56     56  
EBITDA (b)   44     163     (18 )   189     (8 )   282     (88 )   186  
(a)   Includes inter-segment eliminations.
(b)   EBITDA is earnings (loss) from continuing operations before finance costs, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.
     
     
     
AGRIUM INC.
Summarized Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
 
Segment information - Retail   Three months ended March 31,
      2016   2015
      North           North        
      America   International   Retail   America   International   Retail
Sales - external   1,797     481     2,278     1,773     487     2,260  
  - inter-segment   12     -     12     3     -     3  
Total sales   1,809     481     2,290     1,776     487     2,263  
Cost of product sold   1,506     382     1,888     1,503     389     1,892  
Gross profit   303     99     402     273     98     371  
Expenses                                    
  Selling   337     73     410     345     78     423  
  General and administrative   15     7     22     17     9     26  
  Earnings from associates and joint ventures   (4 )   -     (4 )   (1 )   -     (1 )
  Other expenses (income)   6     (9 )   (3 )   (3 )   (9 )   (12 )
(Loss) earnings before income taxes   (51 )   28     (23 )   (85 )   20     (65 )
Depreciation and amortization   61     6     67     52     5     57  
EBITDA   10     34     44     (33 )   25     (8 )
                                     
 
 
AGRIUM INC.
Summarized Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
 
Segment information - Wholesale   Three months ended March 31,
      2016   2015
                  Wholesale                   Wholesale    
      Nitrogen   Potash   Phosphate   Other (a)   Wholesale   Nitrogen   Potash   Phosphate   Other (a)   Wholesale
Sales - external   173   48   80   146     447     218     25     110   259     612  
  - inter-segment   77   43   50   32     202     97     42     71   45     255  
Total sales   250   91   130   178     649     315     67     181   304     867  
Cost of product sold   155   77   110   154     496     172     60     136   265     633  
Gross profit   95   14   20   24     153     143     7     45   39     234  
Expenses                                                    
  Selling   4   2   1   1     8     4     1     1   5     11  
  General and administrative   4   2   1   1     8     3     2     2   3     10  
  (Earnings) loss from associates and joint ventures   -   -   -   (1 )   (1 )   -     -     -   3     3  
  Other expenses (income)   6   6   4   3     19     (2 )   5     12   (37 )   (22 )
Earnings (loss) before income taxes   81   4   14   20     119     138     (1 )   30   65     232  
  Depreciation and amortization   13   20   10   1     44     18     14     13   5     50  
EBITDA   94   24   24   21     163     156     13     43   70     282  
                                                     
(a)   Includes product purchased for resale, ammonium sulfate, ESN and other products.
     
     
     
AGRIUM INC.
Summarized Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
 
Gross profit by product line   Three months ended March 31,
    2016   2015
        Cost of           Cost of    
        product   Gross       product   Gross
    Sales   sold   profit   Sales   sold   profit
Retail                                    
  Crop nutrients   839     705     134     911     785     126  
  Crop protection products   831     710     121     793     685     108  
  Seed   376     325     51     308     268     40  
  Merchandise   117     98     19     142     122     20  
  Services and other   127     50     77     109     32     77  
    2,290     1,888     402     2,263     1,892     371  
Wholesale                                    
  Nitrogen   250     155     95     315     172     143  
  Potash   91     77     14     67     60     7  
  Phosphate   130     110     20     181     136     45  
  Product purchased for resale   97     92     5     192     185     7  
  Ammonium sulfate, ESN and other   81     62     19     112     80     32  
    649     496     153     867     633     234  
Other inter-segment eliminations   (214 )   (213 )   (1 )   (258 )   (237 )   (21 )
Total   2,725     2,171     554     2,872     2,288     584  
                                     
Wholesale share of joint ventures                                    
  Nitrogen   25     21     4     21     22     (1 )
  Product purchased for resale   -     -     -     26     25     1  
    25     21     4     47     47     -  
Total Wholesale including proportionate share in joint ventures   674     517     157     914     680     234  
                                     
                                     
                                     
AGRIUM INC.
Summarized Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
 
Selected volumes and per tonne information   Three months ended March 31,
    2016   2015
            Cost of               Cost of    
    Sales   Selling   product       Sales   Selling   product    
    tonnes   price   sold   Margin   tonnes   price   sold   Margin
    (000's)   ($/tonne)   ($/tonne)   ($/tonne)   (000's)   ($/tonne)   ($/tonne)   ($/tonne)
Retail                                  
  Crop nutrients                                  
    North America   1,520   450   369   81   1,435   511   431   80  
    International   440   354   328   26   452   394   366   28  
  Total crop nutrients   1,960   428   360   68   1,887   483   416   67  
                                   
Wholesale                                  
  Nitrogen                                  
    North America                                  
      Ammonia   230   398           175   529          
      Urea   319   338           348   422          
      Other   192   265           238   320          
  Total nitrogen   741   338   209   129   761   414   226   188  
                                     
  Potash                                  
    North America   263   215           149   393          
    International   193   177           36   226          
  Total potash   456   199   168   31   185   361   324   37  
                                     
  Phosphate   220   589   499   90   282   639   481   158  
  Product purchased for resale   297   326   310   16   548   349   336   13  
  Ammonium sulfate   57   289   113   176   82   335   134   201  
  ESN and other   155               176              
Total Wholesale   1,926   337   258   79   2,034   426   311   115  
                                   
Wholesale share of joint ventures                                  
  Nitrogen   83   296   247   49   52   408   429   (21 )
  Product purchased for resale   -   -   -   -   85   310   297   13  
    83   296   247   49   137   347   347   -  
Total Wholesale including proportionate share in joint ventures   2,009   335   257   78   2,171   421   313   108  
                                   
AGRIUM INC.
Summarized Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
 
3.   Risk Management
   
Commodity price risk  
   
Natural gas derivative financial instruments outstanding (notional amounts in millions of MMBtu)  
    March 31,   December 31,  
    2016   2015  
   

Notional
 

Maturities
  Average
contract
price (a)
  Fair value
of assets
(liabilities)
 

Notional
 

Maturities
  Average
contract
price (a)
  Fair value
of assets
(liabilities)
 
Designated as hedges                                    
AECO swaps   67   2016 - 2018   2.97   (74 )   74   2016 - 2018   2.78   (56 )
                (74 )               (56 )
(a) U.S. dollars per MMBtu.                                    
   
 
    Fair value of assets (liabilities)
Maturities of natural gas derivative contracts   2016   2017   2018 2019
Designated as hedges   (31)   (24)   (19) -
 
 
Impact of change in fair value of natural gas derivative financial instruments   March 31,   December 31,
    2016   2015
A $10-million impact to other comprehensive income requires movement in gas  prices per MMBtu   0.20   0.28
 
Use of derivatives to hedge exposure to natural gas market price risk                    
Term (gas year - 12 months ending October 31)   2016   2017   2018   2019    
Maximum allowable (% of forecast gas requirements)   75   75   75   25   (a)
Forecast average monthly natural gas consumption  (millions of MMBtu)   9   9   9   9    
Gas requirements hedged using derivatives designated  as hedges (%)   25   25   21   -    
(a)   Maximum monthly hedged volume may not exceed 90 percent of planned monthly requirements.
     

For our natural gas derivatives designated in hedging relationships, the underlying risk of the derivative contracts is identical to the hedged risk, and accordingly we have established a ratio of 1:1 for all natural gas hedges. Due to a strong correlation between AECO future contract prices and our delivered cost, we did not experience any ineffectiveness on our hedges, and accordingly we have recorded the full change in the fair value of natural gas derivative contracts designated as hedges to other comprehensive income.

 
AGRIUM INC.
Summarized Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
 
 
Currency risk
 
Foreign exchange derivative financial instruments outstanding  (notional amounts in millions of U.S. dollars)
    March 31,   December 31,
    2016   2015


Sell/Buy
 

Notional
 

Maturities
  Average
contract
price (a)
  Fair value
of assets
(liabilities)
 

Notional
 

Maturities
  Average
contract
price (a)
  Fair value
of assets
(liabilities)
Not designated as hedges                                    
  Forwards                                    
    USD/CAD   10   2016   1.34   -     190   2016   1.38   (1 )
    CAD/USD   1,883   2016   1.33   (50 )   1,805   2016   1.35   45  
    USD/AUD   76   2016   1.43   7     73   2016   1.42   2  
    AUD/USD   48   2016   1.43   (4 )   143   2016   1.43   (3 )
  Options                                    
    USD/CAD - buy USD puts   38   2016   1.37   2     -   -   -   -  
    USD/CAD - sell USD calls   53   2016   1.50   -     -   -   -   -  
    USD/AUD - buy USD puts   6   2016   1.32   -     59   2016   1.38   (1 )
                (45 )               42  
Designated as hedges                                    
  Forwards                                    
    CAD/USD   158   2016   1.37   (8 )   -   -   -   -  
    AUD/USD   26   2016   1.38   (2 )   -   -   -   -  
                (10 )               -  
                (55 )               42  
(a)   Foreign currency per U.S. dollar.
     
     
     
    March 31,   December 31,
    2016   2015
    Fair value   Carrying   Fair value   Carrying
    Level 1   Level 2   value   Level 1   Level 2   value
Financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis                        
  Cash and cash equivalents   -   276   276   -   515   515
  Accounts receivable - derivatives   -   9   9   -   48   48
  Other current financial assets -  marketable securities   20   129   149   20   122   142
  Accounts payable - derivatives   -   100   100   -   29   29
  Other financial liabilities - derivatives   -   38   38   -   33   33
Financial instruments measured at amortized cost                        
  Current portion of long-term debt                        
    Debentures   -   105   100   -   -   -
    Floating rate debt   -   8   8   -   8   8
  Long-term debt                        
    Debentures   -   4,533   4,370   -   4,464   4,469
    Fixed and floating rate debt   -   45   45   -   44   44
                         

There have been no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements in the three months ended March 31, 2016 or March 31, 2015. We do not measure any of our financial instruments using Level 3 inputs.

 
AGRIUM INC.
Summarized Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three months ended March 31, 2016
(millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)
  (Unaudited)
   
4. Expenses
    Three months ended  
Other expenses   March 31,  
    2016     2015  
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange and related derivatives   2     (1 )
Interest income   (13 )   (17 )
Gain on sale of assets   -     (38 )
Environmental remediation and asset retirement obligations   2     9  
Bad debt expense   8     7  
Potash profit and capital tax   3     5  
Other   9     2  
    11     (33 )
 
5. Share-based Payments

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we granted the following share-based compensation awards to officers and employees.            

Award type   Number   Grant price
Stock options   514,779   84.37
Stock appreciation rights   88,147   84.37
Share units   315,315   N/A
 
 
6. Debt
 
            March 31,   December 31,
            2016   2015
    Maturity   Rate (%) (a)        
Short-term debt                
  Commercial paper   2016   0.87   508   632
  Credit facilities       4.69   121   203
            629   835
(a)   Weighted average rates at March 31, 2016.


Contact

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Investor/Media Relations:
Richard Downey
Vice President, Investor & Corporate Relations
(403) 225-7357

Todd Coakwell
Director, Investor Relations
(403) 225-7437

Louis Brown
Analyst, Investor Relations
(403) 225-7761

Contact us at: www.agrium.com