Archer-Daniels-Midland Co

Previous wording

This MD&A should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

Current wording

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, which can be found in Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

Previous wording

The Productivity pillar includes (1) partnering across various global teams including procurement, supply chain, operations, and commercial to optimize costs and improve production volumes across the enterprise; (2) continued roll out of the 1ADM business transformation program and implementation of improved standardized business processes; and (3) increased use of technology, data analytics, and automation at production facilities, in offices, and with customers to improve efficiencies and customer service.

Current wording

The Productivity pillar includes (1) partnering across various global teams including procurement, supply chain, operations, and commercial to optimize costs and improve both production volumes and demand fulfillment across the enterprise; (2) implementation of improved standardized business processes and aggressive management of selling, general, and administrative expenses and Corporate costs; (3) portfolio simplification to improve operational performance; and (4) increased use of technology, data analytics, and automation at production facilities, in offices, and with customers to improve efficiencies and customer service.

Previous wording

The Innovation pillar includes expansions and investments in (1) improving the customer experience by leveraging producer relationships and enhancing the use of state-of-the-art digital technology; (2) sustainability-driven innovation, which encompasses the full range of products, solutions, capabilities, and commitments to serve customers’ needs; and (3) growth initiatives, including organic growth with additional capacity to meet growing market demand and strategic objectives.

Current wording

The Innovation pillar includes expansions and investments in (1) the modernization and digitization of our operations network; (2) sustainability-driven innovation, which encompasses the full range of products, solutions, capabilities, and commitments to serve both customer needs and farmer resilience; and (3) growth initiatives, including organic growth with additional capacity to meet growing market demand and strategic objectives.

Previous wording

The Culture pillar focuses on building capabilities and enabling collaboration, teamwork, and agility from process standardization and digitalization and ADM’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, which bring new perspectives and expertise to the Company’s decision-making.

Current wording

The Culture pillar focuses on building capabilities and enabling collaboration, teamwork, and agility from process standardization and digitalization, and bringing new perspectives and expertise to the Company’s decision-making.

Previous wording

The Company’s significant portfolio actions and announcements during 2023 include:

Current wording

The Company’s significant portfolio actions and announcements during 2024 include the following acquisitions:

Previous wording

The Company has historically disclosed in the footnotes to its financial statements that intersegment sales have been recorded at amounts approximating market. In connection with the Investigation, the Company identified certain intersegment sales that were not recorded at amounts approximating market. The immaterial error corrections generally arise from the measurement of intersegment sales pricing or rebates relating to products sold to the Nutrition reporting segment by the Ag Services and Oilseeds and Carbohydrate Solutions reporting segments.

Current wording

The Company has historically disclosed in the footnotes to its financial statements that intersegment sales have been recorded at amounts approximating market. In connection with the Company’s previously disclosed internal investigation regarding certain accounting practices and procedures with respect to its Nutrition reporting segment, including as related to certain intersegment sales (the “Investigation”) the Company identified certain intersegment sales that occurred between the Company’s Nutrition reporting segment and the Company’s Ag Services and Oilseeds and Carbohydrate Solutions reporting segments that were not recorded at amounts approximating market. The Company corrected those errors in its fiscal year 2023 Form 10-K, along with subsequently identified errors that the Company corrected in an amendment to its Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the “FY2023 10-K/A”), and its Form 10-Qs for the first and second quarters of 2024, all of which were filed on November 18, 2024, to restate the segment information disclosure included in those filings.

Previous wording

In connection with the Investigation, the Company identified a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to its accounting practices and procedures for intersegment sales. The material weakness resulted from inadequate controls that allowed for certain intersegment sales to be reported at amounts not approximating market. The Company has put in place a plan to remediate this material weakness. For more information, see “Controls and Procedures” in Part II, Item 9A herein.

Current wording

In connection with the Investigation, the Company identified a material weakness in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to its accounting practices and procedures for segment disclosures. For more information, see “Controls and Procedures” in Part II, Item 9A herein.

Previous wording

The Company’s Ag Services and Oilseeds operations are principally agricultural commodity-based businesses where changes in selling prices move in relationship to changes in prices of the commodity-based agricultural raw materials. As a result, changes in agricultural commodity prices have relatively equal impacts on both revenues and cost of products sold. Therefore, changes in revenues of these businesses do not necessarily correspond to the changes in margins or gross profit. Thus, gross margins per volume or metric ton are more meaningful than gross margins as percentage of revenues.

Current wording

The Company’s Ag Services and Oilseeds and Carbohydrate Solutions segments are principally agricultural commodity-based businesses where changes in selling prices move in relationship to changes in prices of the commodity-based agricultural raw materials. As a result, changes in agricultural commodity prices have relatively equal impacts on both revenues and cost of products sold. Therefore, margins per volume or metric ton generally are meaningful as a performance indicator in these businesses.

Previous wording

The Company’s Carbohydrate Solutions operations and Nutrition businesses also utilize agricultural commodities (or products derived from agricultural commodities) as raw materials. However, in these operations, agricultural commodity market price changes do not necessarily correlate to changes in cost of products sold. Therefore, changes in revenues of these businesses may correspond to changes in margins or gross profit. Thus, gross margin rates are more meaningful as a performance indicator in these businesses.

Current wording

The Company's Nutrition segment also utilizes agricultural commodities (or products derived from agricultural commodities) as raw materials. However, in these operations, agricultural commodity market price changes do not necessarily correlate to changes in cost of products sold. As a result, changes in revenues of these businesses may correspond to changes in margins. Therefore margin rates generally are meaningful as a performance indicator in these businesses.

Previous wording

The Company has consolidated subsidiaries in more than 70 countries. For the majority of the Company’s subsidiaries located outside the United States, the local currency is the functional currency except certain significant subsidiaries in Switzerland where Euro is the functional currency, and Brazil and Argentina where U.S. dollar is the functional currency. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the weighted average exchange rates for the applicable periods. For the majority of the Company’s business activities in Brazil and Argentina, the functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, certain transactions, including taxes, occur in local currency and require remeasurement to the functional currency. Changes in revenues are expected to be correlated to changes in expenses reported by the Company caused by fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currencies, primarily the Euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, and Brazilian real, as compared to the U.S. dollar.

Current wording

The Company has consolidated subsidiaries in approximately 80 countries. For the majority of the Company’s subsidiaries located outside the United States, the local currency is the functional currency except for certain significant subsidiaries in Switzerland where Euro is the functional currency, and Brazil and Argentina where U.S. dollar is the functional currency. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the weighted average exchange rates for the applicable periods. For the majority of the Company’s business activities in Brazil and Argentina, the functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, certain transactions, including taxes, occur in local currency and require remeasurement to the functional currency. Changes in revenues are expected to be correlated to changes in expenses reported by the Company caused by fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currencies, primarily the Euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, and Brazilian real, as compared to the U.S. dollar.

Previous wording

The Company uses adjusted net earnings, adjusted earnings per share (EPS), adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted segment operating profit, non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the SEC, to evaluate the Company’s financial performance. These performance measures are not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, GAAP financial measures.

Current wording

The Company measures its performance using key financial metrics including net earnings, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS), margins, segment operating profit, total segment operating profit, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), adjusted EBITDA, return on invested capital, adjusted economic value added, and operating cash flows before working capital. Some of these metrics are not defined by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) and should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, GAAP financial measures. For more information, see the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section below.

Previous wording

The Company measures its performance using key financial metrics including net earnings, gross margins, constant currency revenue and operating profit, segment operating profit, adjusted segment operating profit, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), adjusted EBITDA, manufacturing expenses, selling, general, and administrative expenses, return on invested capital, economic value added, and operating cash flows before working capital. The Company’s financial results can vary significantly due to changes in factors such as fluctuations in energy prices, weather conditions, crop plantings, government programs and policies, trade policies, changes in global demand, general global economic conditions, changes in standards of living, and global production of similar and competitive crops. Due to these unpredictable factors, the Company undertakes no responsibility for updating any forward-looking information contained within “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Current wording

The Company’s financial results can vary significantly due to changes in factors such as fluctuations in energy prices, weather conditions, crop plantings, government programs and policies, trade policies, changes in global demand, general global economic conditions, changes in standards of living, global production of similar and competitive crops, and geopolitical developments. Due to the unpredictable nature of these and other factors, the Company undertakes no responsibility for updating any forward-looking information contained within this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Previous wording

The Company is subject to a variety of market factors which affect the Company’s operating results. In Ag Services and Oilseeds, supply has been impacted by market dislocations driven by geopolitical uncertainty, record Brazil soybean production, and extreme drought conditions in Argentina. Inflationary pressures impacted the entire value chain. Crushing was positively impacted by sustainable biofuel demand and protein consumption around the globe. In Refined Products and Other, margins were driven by strong oil demand and elevated oil prices that were supported by biofuels demand, driven by favorable blend economics as historically low distillate fuel oil inventory drove diesel prices to all-time highs. Mediocre growth in mandated renewable volume obligations for 2023 to 2025 drove further market volatility. In Carbohydrate Solutions, demand for starches and sweeteners remained solid with stronger overall margins due to specialty products pricing. Lower gasoline prices in 2023 were supportive of higher domestic gasoline consumption and ethanol demand. Strong ethanol exports helped balance overall supply and demand and were supported by discretionary blending at export markets. In Nutrition, demand was softer in a few food and beverage product categories. Human Nutrition was impacted by inflation which drove lower demand especially in higher priced product categories in the food, beverage, and dietary supplement segment and impacted volumes in flavors, flavor systems, emulsifiers, bioactives, and alternative proteins. In Animal Nutrition, overall market remained weak with pressured farm gate prices in China and structurally decreasing European production. Certain tailwinds, however, including softening raw material prices, predominantly in micro ingredients, and recovery in global poultry production helped offset the negative impacts. The amino acids market continued to be subdued with ample supply from China.

Current wording

The Company is subject to a variety of market factors which affect the Company’s operating results, including those discussed below related to 2024.

Previous wording

The Company generally operates its production facilities, on an overall basis, at or near capacity, adjusting facilities individually, as needed, to react to the current margin environment and seasonal local supply and demand conditions. The overall increase in oilseeds processed volumes was primarily related to improved crush rates in the current year compared to decreased crush rates in the prior year resulting from the decline in global demand for rapeseed and the decline in canola crop due to the drought condition in North America. The overall decrease in corn processed volumes was related to unplanned downtime from plants in Decatur, Illinois and due to the earthquake in Turkey and fire at the Cedar Rapids, Iowa dry mill.

Current wording

The Company generally operates its production facilities, on an overall basis, at or near capacity, adjusting facilities individually, as needed, to react to the current margin environment and seasonal local supply and demand conditions. The overall increase in oilseeds processed volumes was primarily related to improved crush capacity in North America, driven by the Company's new facility in Spiritwood, North Dakota, and in EMEA in 2024 compared to lower crush rates in the previous year due to inclement weather, unplanned downtime, and reduced capacity due to the Russian-Ukraine war. The overall increase in corn processed volumes was related to increased plant reliability in 2024 compared to lower volumes in the previous year driven by unplanned downtime at the Decatur, Illinois plant.

Previous wording

Revenues and cost of products sold in agricultural merchandising and processing businesses are significantly correlated to the underlying commodity prices and volumes. In periods of significant changes in market prices, the underlying performance of the Company is better evaluated by looking at margins since both revenues and cost of products sold, particularly in Ag Services and Oilseeds, generally have a relatively equal impact from market price changes which generally result in an insignificant impact to gross profit.

Current wording

Revenues and cost of products sold in agricultural merchandising and processing businesses are significantly correlated to the underlying commodity prices and volumes. In periods of significant changes in market prices, the underlying performance of the Company is better evaluated by looking at margins since both revenues and cost of products sold, particularly in the Ag Services and Oilseeds segment, generally have a relatively equal impact from market price changes which generally result in an insignificant impact to gross profit.

Previous wording

Foreign currency translation impacts increased revenues by $0.1 billion and cost of goods sold by $0.1 billion with no impact to gross profit.

Current wording

Foreign currency translation impacts decreased revenues by $335 million and cost of goods sold by $290 million, decreasing gross profit by $45 million.

Previous wording

Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs increased $276 million to $342 million. Charges in the current year consisted of $137 million of impairments related to goodwill in the Animal Nutrition reporting unit, $108 million of impairments related to property, plant, and equipment and an equity method investment, $64 million of impairments related to customer list and discontinued Animal Nutrition trademarks, and $27 million of restructuring, presented as specified items within segment operating profit, and $6 million of restructuring in Corporate. Charges in the prior year consisted of $37 million of impairments related to certain long-lived assets and $28 million of restructuring, presented as specified items within segment operating profit, and $1 million of restructuring in Corporate.

Current wording

Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs increased $203 million to $545 million. Charges in 2024 included a $461 million impairment related to the Company's Wilmar equity investment, $43 million of impairments related to customer lists and discontinued trademarks in the Animal Nutrition subsegment, $4 million of reportable segment specific restructuring charges and $23 million of restructuring in Corporate. Charges in 2023 consisted of $137 million of impairments related to goodwill in the Animal Nutrition reporting unit, $108 million of impairments related to property, plant, and equipment and an equity method investment, $64 million of impairments related to customer list and discontinued Animal Nutrition trademarks, $27 million of reportable segment specific restructuring charges, and $6 million of restructuring in Corporate.

Previous wording

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates decreased $281 million to $551 million due primarily to lower earnings from the Company’s investments in Wilmar, Skyland Grain, LLC, and Hungrana Ltd., partially offset by higher earnings from ADM’s investment in Olenex.

Current wording

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased $70 million to $621 million due primarily to higher earnings from the Company’s investments in Almidones Mexicanos S.A., Wilmar, Skyland Grain, LLC, and Hungrana Ltd., partially offset by lower earnings from the Company’s investment in Olenex Sarl and SoyVen. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had sold its interest in Skyland Grain, LLC.

Previous wording

Other income - net of $176 million decreased $182 million. Current year income included net gains on disposals of individually insignificant assets in the ordinary course of business of $38 million, the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $18 million, net foreign exchange gains of $85 million, and net other income. Prior year income included a legal recovery of $110 million related to the 2020 and 2019 closure of the Company’s export facility in Reserve, Louisiana, net foreign exchange gains of $105 million, a $50 million payment from the USDA Biofuel Producer Recovery Program, gains on disposals of individually insignificant assets in the ordinary course of business of $78 million, and the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $25 million, partially offset by net other expense.

Current wording

Other income - net of $251 million increased $75 million. Current year income included third party insurance recoveries of $133 million, foreign exchange gains of $46 million, and net gains on disposals of individually insignificant assets in the ordinary course of business of $16 million. Prior year income included net gains on disposals of individually insignificant assets in the ordinary course of business of $38 million, the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $18 million, net foreign exchange gains of $85 million, and net other income.

Previous wording

Income taxes of $828 million decreased $40 million. The Company’s effective tax rate for 2023 was 19.3% compared to 16.6% for 2022. The change in the rate was due primarily to changes in the geographic mix of pretax earnings.

Current wording

Income taxes of $476 million decreased $352 million. The Company’s effective tax rate for 2024 was 21.1% compared to 19.3% for 2023. The increase in the effective rate was driven primarily by the impairment of the Company’s investment in Wilmar and changes in the Company's geographic mix of earnings.

Previous wording

Nutrition operating profit decreased 36%. Human Nutrition results were lower than the prior year, as the business continued to manage demand fulfillment challenges and destocking in certain categories. Flavors results were lower than the prior year driven by softer sales, higher expenses, and $45 million of negative impacts primarily related to the deconsolidation and write-down of a joint venture. Specialty Ingredients results were lower year-over-year due to continued lower market demand for plant-based proteins in meat alternatives and unplanned downtime at Decatur East. Health and Wellness results were lower than the prior year due to a revaluation loss of $19 million related to an investment in precision fermentation, partially offset by continued growth in the biotics category. Animal Nutrition results were lower compared to the prior year due to lower contribution from amino acids, pockets of softer global feed demand affecting volumes, and continued supply chain challenges and inventory losses in pet solutions.

Current wording

In the Nutrition segment, segment operating profit decreased 9%. Human Nutrition results were lower than the prior year. Specialty Ingredients was impacted by unplanned downtime at Decatur East, higher costs of goods sold associated with the termination of an unfavorable supply agreement, and a normalizing texturants market negatively impacted margins, partially offset by $71 million of insurance proceeds for the partial settlement of the 2023 Decatur East incident insurance claims and changes in inventory adjustments compared to the prior year. In Health and Wellness, lower profits were driven by inventory reserve adjustments due primarily to changes in customer demand fulfillment, non-recurring benefits in the prior year, and softer margins within Vitamins, offset by stronger growth in biotics and botanicals. The prior year was impacted by a revaluation loss of $19 million related to an investment in precision fermentation. Flavors results were higher than the prior year driven by current year acquisitions, and a prior year $45 million negative impact primarily related to the deconsolidation and write-down of a joint venture. Animal Nutrition results were higher compared to the prior year, as amino acids market recovery, cost optimization efforts and lower input costs bolstered margins.

Previous wording

Corporate results were a net charge of $1.6 billion in the current year compared to $1.3 billion in the prior year. Interest expense-net increased $98 million due primarily to increased short-term rates on the Company’s commercial paper borrowing programs and increased interest expense from a new debt issuance at a higher rate. Unallocated corporate costs increased $118 million due primarily to higher financing, information technology, and centers of excellence costs, partially offset by lower incentive compensation expense accruals and higher corporate cost allocation. Gain on debt conversion option was related to the mark-to-market adjustment of the conversion option of the exchangeable bonds issued in August 2020. Other income in the current year included the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $18 million and foreign exchange gains, partially offset by investment revaluation losses of $57 million and railroad maintenance expenses of $67 million. Other income in the prior year included investment revaluation gains of $37 million, the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $25 million, and foreign exchange gains, partially offset by railroad maintenance expenses of $67 million.

Current wording

(4)Other expense in the current year included railroad maintenance expenses of $64 million and net valuation losses of approximately $16 million in the Company’s ADM Ventures portfolio. Other income in the current year also included foreign exchange gains of $78 million and the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $18 million. Other expense in the prior year included the non-service components of net pension benefit income of $18 million and foreign exchange gains, partially offset by railroad maintenance expenses of $67 million and investment revaluation losses of $57 million.

Previous wording

The Company uses adjusted net earnings, adjusted earnings per share (EPS), adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted segment operating profit, non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the SEC, to evaluate the Company’s financial performance. These performance measures are not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, GAAP financial measures.

Current wording

The Company uses certain “Non-GAAP” financial measures as defined by the SEC. These are measures of performance not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and should be considered in addition to, not in lieu of, GAAP reported measures. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in this section.

Previous wording

Adjusted net earnings is defined as net earnings adjusted for the effects on net earnings of specified items. Adjusted EPS is defined as diluted EPS adjusted for the effects on reported diluted EPS of specified items. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, adjusted for specified items. The Company calculates adjusted EBITDA by removing the impact of specified items and adding back the amounts of interest expense and depreciation and amortization to earnings before income taxes. Adjusted segment operating profit is segment operating profit adjusted, where applicable, for specified items.

Current wording

Adjusted net earnings is defined as net earnings adjusted for the effects on net earnings of specified items as more fully described in the reconciliation tables. Adjusted diluted EPS is defined as diluted EPS adjusted for the effects on reported diluted EPS of specified items as more fully described in the reconciliation tables.

Previous wording

Management believes that adjusted net earnings, adjusted EPS, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted segment operating profit are useful measures of the Company’s performance because they provide investors additional information about the Company’s operations allowing better evaluation of underlying business performance and better period-to-period comparability. Adjusted net earnings, adjusted EPS, adjusted EBITDA, and adjusted segment operating profit are not intended to replace or be an alternative to net earnings, diluted EPS, net earnings, and segment operating profit, respectively, the most directly comparable amounts reported under GAAP.

Current wording

Management believes that adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted EPS, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and total segment operating profit are useful measures of the Company’s performance because they provide investors additional information about the Company’s operations allowing better evaluation of underlying business performance and better period-to-period comparability.

Previous wording

The table below provides a reconciliation of net earnings to adjusted net earnings and diluted EPS to adjusted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Current wording

The table below provides a reconciliation of net earnings (the most directly comparable GAAP measure) to adjusted net earnings (a non-GAAP measure) and diluted EPS to adjusted diluted EPS (a non-GAAP measure) for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

Previous wording

A Company objective is to have sufficient liquidity, balance sheet strength, and financial flexibility to fund the operating and capital requirements of a capital intensive agricultural commodity-based business. The Company depends on access to credit markets, which can be impacted by its credit rating and factors outside of ADM’s control, to fund its working capital needs and capital expenditures. The primary source of funds to finance ADM’s operations, capital expenditures, and advancement of its growth strategy is cash generated by operations and lines of credit, including a commercial paper borrowing facility and accounts receivable securitization programs. In addition, the Company believes it has access to funds from public and private equity and debt capital markets in both U.S. and international markets.

Current wording

The primary source of funds to finance the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, and advancement of its growth strategy is cash generated by operations and lines of credit, including a commercial paper borrowing facility and accounts receivable securitization programs. In addition, the Company believes it has access to funds from public and private equity and debt capital markets in both U.S. and international markets.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2023, ADM had $1.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents and a current ratio, defined as current assets divided by current liabilities, of 1.6 to 1. Included in working capital is $7.0 billion of readily marketable commodity inventories. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s capital resources included shareholders’ equity of $24.1 billion and lines of credit, including the accounts receivable securitization programs described below, totaling $13.2 billion, of which $11.5 billion was unused. ADM’s ratio of long-term debt to total capital (the sum of long-term debt of $8.3 billion and shareholders’ equity of $24.1 billion in 2023 and the sum of long-term debt of $7.7 billion and shareholders’ equity of $24.3 billion in 2022) was 25% and 24% at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company uses this ratio as a measure of ADM’s long-term indebtedness and an indicator of financial flexibility. The Company’s ratio of net debt (the sum of short-term debt of $0.1 billion, current maturities of long-term debt of $1 million, and long-term debt of $8.3 billion less the sum of cash and cash equivalents of $1.4 billion and short-term marketable securities of none in 2023 and the sum of short-term debt of $0.5 billion, current maturities of long-term debt of $0.9 billion, and long-term debt of $7.7 billion less the sum of cash and cash equivalents of $1.0 billion and short-term marketable securities of none in 2022) to capital (the sum of net debt of $7.0 billion and shareholders’ equity of $24.1 billion in 2023 and the sum of net debt of $8.1 billion and shareholders' equity of $24.3 billion in 2022) was 22% and 25% at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Of the Company’s total lines of credit, $5.0 billion supported the commercial paper borrowing programs, against which there was $5 million commercial paper outstanding at December 31, 2023.

Current wording

At December 31, 2024, the Company’s capital resources included shareholders’ equity of $22.2 billion and lines of credit, including the accounts receivable securitization programs described below, totaling $13.0 billion, of which $9.1 billion was unused. Of the Company’s total lines of credit, $5.1 billion supported the commercial paper borrowing programs, against which there was $1.7 billion of commercial paper outstanding at December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $1.4 billion of cash and cash equivalents, $0.5 billion of which is cash held by foreign subsidiaries whose undistributed earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested. Based on the Company’s historical ability to generate sufficient cash flows from its U.S. operations and unused and available U.S. credit capacity of $6.8 billion, the Company has asserted these funds are indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, the Company had $611 million of cash and cash equivalents, $354 million of which is cash held by foreign subsidiaries whose undistributed earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested. Based on the Company’s historical ability to generate sufficient cash flows from its U.S. operations and unused and available U.S. credit capacity of $4.5 billion, the Company has asserted these funds are indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, the Company has total available liquidity of $12.9 billion comprised of cash and cash equivalents and unused lines of credit.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, the Company has total available liquidity of $9.7 billion comprised of cash and cash equivalents and unused lines of credit. The Company believes that cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand, and unused lines of credit will be sufficient to meet its ongoing liquidity requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, the three major credit rating agencies maintained the Company’s credit ratings at investment grade levels. Subsequent to December 31, 2023, the Company’s ratings were placed “On Credit Watch” and “Ratings Under Review” by two of the credit rating agencies.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, the three major credit rating agencies maintained the Company’s credit ratings at investment grade levels with a negative outlook.

Previous wording

On November 5, 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to 100,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock during the period commencing January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2019. On August 7, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the extension of the stock repurchase program through December 31, 2024 and the repurchase of up to an additional 100,000,000 shares under the extended program. The Company has acquired approximately 148.0 million shares under this program and its extension as of December 31, 2023.

Current wording

On December 11, 2024, the Company's Board of Directors approved a second extension of the stock repurchase program through December 31, 2029 and the repurchase of up to an additional 100,000,000 shares under the extended program. As of December 31, 2024, the Company had 115 million shares remaining that may be repurchased under its stock repurchase program until December 31, 2029.

Previous wording

The Company has accounts receivable securitization programs (the “Programs”) with certain commercial paper conduit purchasers and committed purchasers. The Programs provide the Company with up to $3.0 billion in funding against accounts receivable transferred into the Programs and expand the Company’s access to liquidity through efficient use of its balance sheet assets (see Note 19 in Item 8 for more information and disclosures on the Programs). As of December 31, 2023, the Company utilized $1.6 billion of its facility under the Programs.

Current wording

The Company has accounts receivable securitization programs (the “Programs”) with certain commercial paper conduit purchasers and committed purchasers. The Programs provide the Company with up to $2.8 billion in funding against accounts receivable transferred into the Programs and expand the Company’s access to liquidity through efficient use of its balance sheet assets (see Part II. Item 8. Note 19 Sale of Accounts Receivable for more information and disclosures on the Programs). As of December 31, 2024, the Company utilized $2.0 billion of its facility under the Programs.

Previous wording

In 2024, the Company expects capital expenditures of $1.3 billion and additional cash outlays of approximately $1.0 billion in dividends and up to $2.3 billion in share repurchases, subject to other strategic uses of capital and the evolution of operating cash flows and the working capital position throughout the year.

Current wording

In 2025, the Company expects capital expenditures of $1.5 billion and additional cash outlays of approximately $1.0 billion in dividends and up to $155 million in share repurchases, subject to other strategic uses of capital and the evolution of operating cash flows and the working capital position throughout the year.

Previous wording

The Company’s purchase obligations as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were $14.0 billion and $15.8 billion, respectively. The decrease is primarily related to a decrease in obligations to purchase agricultural commodity inventories, partially offset by an increase in energy commitments. As of December 31, 2023, the Company expects to make payments related to purchase obligations of $13.4 billion within the next twelve months. The Company’s other material cash requirements within the next 12 months include current maturities of long-term debt of $1 million, interest payments of $0.4 billion, operating lease payments of $0.3 billion, transition tax liability of $49 million, and pension and other postretirement plan contributions of $114 million. The Company expects to make payments related to purchase obligations and other material cash requirements beyond the next twelve months of $16.8 billion.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, the Company expects to make payments related to purchase obligations of $11.8 billion within the next twelve months. The Company’s other material cash requirements within the next 12 months include current maturities of long-term debt of $674 million, interest payments of $325 million, operating lease payments of $377 million, transition tax liability of $61 million, and pension, other postretirement, and defined contribution plan contributions of $114 million.

Previous wording

The process of preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the carrying values of the Company’s assets and liabilities as well as the recognition of revenues and expenses. These estimates and judgments are based on the Company’s historical experience and management’s knowledge and understanding of current facts and circumstances. Certain of the Company’s accounting policies and estimates are considered critical, as these policies and estimates are important to the depiction of the Company’s financial statements and require significant or complex judgment by management. Critical accounting estimates are those estimates made in accordance with GAAP which involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on ADM’s financial condition and results of operations. Management has discussed with the Company’s Audit Committee the development, selection, disclosure, and application of these critical accounting policies and estimates. Following are the accounting policies and estimates management considers critical to the Company’s financial statements.

Current wording

The process of preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the carrying values of the Company’s assets and liabilities as well as the recognition of revenues and expenses. These estimates and judgments are based on the Company’s historical experience and management’s knowledge and understanding of current facts and circumstances. Certain of the Company’s accounting estimates are considered critical, as these estimates are important to the depiction of the Company’s financial statements and require significant or complex judgment by management. Critical accounting estimates are those estimates made in accordance with GAAP which involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on ADM’s financial condition and results of operations. Management has discussed with the Company’s Audit Committee the development, selection, disclosure, and application of these critical accounting estimates. Following are the accounting estimates management considers critical to the Company’s financial statements.

Previous wording

Description: Certain of the Company’s inventory, inventory-related payables, and commodity derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023 are valued at estimated fair values, including $7.0 billion of merchandisable agricultural commodity inventories, $1.4 billion of commodity derivative assets, $1.0 billion of commodity derivative liabilities, and $1.3 billion of inventory-related payables. Commodity derivative assets and liabilities include forward purchase and sales contracts for agricultural commodities. Merchandisable agricultural commodities are freely traded, have quoted market prices, and may be sold without significant additional processing.

Current wording

Description: Certain of the Company’s inventory, inventory-related payables, and commodity derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024 are valued at estimated fair values, including $7.0 billion of merchandisable agricultural commodity inventories, $0.8 billion of commodity derivative assets, $0.8 billion of commodity derivative liabilities, and $0.7 billion of inventory-related payables. Commodity derivative assets and liabilities include forward purchase and sales contracts for agricultural commodities. Merchandisable agricultural commodities are freely traded, have quoted market prices, and may be sold without significant additional processing.

Previous wording

Judgments and Uncertainties: Management estimates fair value for its commodity-related assets and liabilities based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted for differences in local markets. The Company’s inventory, inventory-related payables, and commodity derivative fair value measurements are mainly based on observable market quotations without significant adjustments and are therefore reported as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 fair value measurements of approximately $3.4 billion of assets and $0.6 billion of liabilities represent fair value estimates where unobservable price components represent 10% or more of the total fair value price. For more information concerning amounts reported as Level 3, see Note 4 in Item 8.

Current wording

Judgments and Uncertainties: Management estimates fair value for its commodity-related assets and liabilities based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted for differences in local markets. The Company’s inventory, inventory-related payables, and commodity derivative fair value measurements are mainly based on observable market quotations without significant adjustments and are therefore reported as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 fair value measurements of approximately $3.5 billion of assets and $0.5 billion of liabilities represent fair value estimates where unobservable price components represent 10% or more of the total fair value price. For more information concerning amounts reported as Level 3, see Part II. Item 8. Note 4 Fair Value Measurements.

Previous wording

Judgments and Uncertainties: ADM calculates its provision for income taxes based on the statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company uses judgment in evaluating the Company’s tax positions and determining its annual tax provision.

Current wording

Judgments and Uncertainties: ADM calculates its provision for income taxes based on the statutory tax rates and tax attributes available to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company uses judgment in evaluating the Company’s tax positions and determining its annual tax provision.

Previous wording

Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: While ADM considers all of its tax positions fully supportable, the Company faces challenges from U.S. and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. The Company recognizes a tax position in its consolidated financial statements when it is determined to be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on its technical merits. The position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. For example, the Company has received tax assessments from tax authorities in the Netherlands challenging income tax positions taken by subsidiaries of the Company. The Company evaluated its tax positions for these matters and concluded, based in part upon advice from legal counsel, that it was appropriate to recognize the tax benefits of these positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on their technical merits (see Note 13 in Item 8 for additional information).

Current wording

Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: While ADM considers all of its tax positions fully supportable, the Company faces challenges from U.S. and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. The Company recognizes a tax position in its Consolidated Financial Statements when it is determined to be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on its technical merits. The position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.