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Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. Reports Second Quarter Results; Declares Cash Distribution

Posted : Thu, 24 Jul 2008 12:10:31 GMT
Author : IA-TERRA-NITROGEN
Category : Press Release
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SIOUX CITY, Iowa - (Business Wire) Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. (TNCLP) (NYSE: TNH) today reported net income of $130.2 million, $74.2 million of which is allocable to Common Units ($4.01 per Common Unit), on revenues of $256.7 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008. This compares with net income of $57.1 million ($3.02 per Common Unit) on revenues of $177.4 million for the 2007 second quarter. For the 2008 first half, TNCLP reported net income of $211.8 million, $146.9 million of which is allocable to Common Units ($7.94 per Common Unit), on revenues of $431.2 million, compared to net income of $92.4 million ($4.89 per Common Unit) on revenues of $305.6 million for the 2007 first half.

TNCLP also announced a cash distribution for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, of $3.63 per common limited partnership unit payable Aug. 28, 2008, to holders of record as of Aug. 8, 2008. Cash distributions depend on TNCLPs earnings, which can be affected by nitrogen selling prices, natural gas costs, seasonal demand factors, production levels and weather, cash requirements for working capital needs, and capital expenditures. Cash distributions per limited partnership unit also vary based on increasing amounts allocable to the General Partner when cumulative distributions exceed targeted levels. Those targeted levels were attained in the 2008 first quarter.

Analysis of results

Second quarter

TNCLPs second quarter earnings improvement over last year was due to higher nitrogen products selling prices and higher ammonia sales volumes, partially offset by lower urea ammonium nitrate solutions (UAN) sales volumes and higher natural gas costs. Strong commodity grain prices supported continued strong U.S. nitrogen demand in the 2008 second quarter, contributing to the improved selling prices. UAN sales volumes were affected by an approximately 6 percent reduction in U.S. corn planted acres due to a cold, wet spring and flooding in the Midwest. From the 2007 to the 2008 second quarter, TNCLPs:

  • Ammonia and UAN selling prices increased by 45 and 46 percent, respectively.
  • Ammonia sales volumes increased by 22 percent and UAN sales volumes decreased by 6 percent.
  • Natural gas unit costs increased by 13 percent.

First half

TNCLPs first half earnings improvement over last year was due to higher nitrogen products selling prices, partially offset by lower sales volumes and higher natural gas costs. Year-to-date results were affected by generally the same factors as those affecting the second quarter. From the 2007 to the 2008 first half, TNCLPs:

  • Ammonia and UAN selling prices increased by 47 and 49 percent, respectively.
  • Ammonia and UAN sales volumes decreased by 6 and 3 percent, respectively.
  • Natural gas unit costs increased by 12 percent.

Forward natural gas position

TNCLPs forward purchase contracts at June 30, 2008, fixed prices for about 44 percent of its next 12 months natural gas requirements at $32.6 million below published forward markets at that date. TNCLP has entered into these forward gas positions to secure margins on nitrogen products sold forward at fixed prices.

About TNCLP

Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. is a leading manufacturer of nitrogen fertilizer products.

Forward-looking statement

Certain statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. As a result, these statements speak only as of the date they were made and TNCLP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Words such as expects, intends, plans, projects, believes, estimates, and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These include, among others, statements relating to:

  • financial markets,
  • general economic conditions within the agricultural industry,
  • competitive factors and price changes (principally, sales prices of nitrogen products and natural gas costs),
  • product mix,
  • the seasonality of demand patterns,
  • weather conditions,
  • environmental and other government regulation, and
  • agricultural regulations.

Additional information as to these factors can be found in TNCLPs 2007 Annual Report/10-K, in the sections entitled Business, Legal Proceedings, and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Note: Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P. news announcements are also available on Terra Industries Web site, www.terraindustries.com.

Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(in thousands except per-unit amounts)

(unaudited)

       
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007
 
Product revenues $ 256,792 $ 177,158 $ 431,045 $ 305,010
Other income (121 ) 282 158 587
Total revenues 256,671 177,440 431,203 305,597
Cost of goods sold 121,861 114,111 213,832 204,881
Total gross profit 134,810 63,329 217,371 100,716
Operating expenses 6,113 7,470 9,637 10,648
Interest expense--net (1,458 ) (1,198 ) (4,017 ) (2,319 )
Net income 130,155 57,057 211,751 92,387
Net income allocable to Common Units 74,185 55,916 146,889 90,540
Earnings per Common Unit $ 4.01 $ 3.02 $ 7.94 $ 4.89

Nitrogen Volumes and Prices

 

Note: All UAN data for 2008 and 2007 are expressed on a 32% nitrogen basis.

   
2008 2007
Sales   Average Sales   Average
Volumes Unit Price Volumes Unit Price
(000 tons)

($/ton)(1)

(000 tons)

($/ton)(1)

Second quarter

Ammonia   116   555   95   382
UAN 521 336 552 230
 

First half

Ammonia 154 546 164 371
UAN 1,023 309 1,054 207
 

Natural Gas Costs/MMBtu(2)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30, June 30,
2008 2007 2008 2007
$ 7.59 $ 6.72 $ 7.37 $ 6.56
 
1. After deducting outbound freight costs.
2. Including effect of forward natural gas position.

Terra Nitrogen Company, L.P.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

  June 30,
2008   2007
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 161,320 $ 80,732
Demand deposit with affiliate 2,639 5,332
Accounts receivable 50,700 49,999
Inventories 36,960 22,542
Other current assets   42,505   2,471
 
Total current assets 294,124 161,076
 
Property, plant and equipment, net 70,374 72,250
Other assets   15,471   13,749
 
Total assets $ 379,969 $ 247,075
 
 
LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 52,719 $ 47,481
Customer prepayments   41,471   16,846
Total current liabilities 94,190 64,327
 
Other liabilities   1,220   1,815
 
Total liabilities 95,410 66,142
 
PARTNERS' EQUITY   284,559   180,933
 
Total liabilities and partners' equity $ 379,969 $ 247,075

Terra Nitrogen
Joe A. Ewing, 712-277-7305
jewing@terraindustries.com


Copyright © 2008 Business Wire. All rights reserved.



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