CHS INC

Previous wording

CHS Inc. is a diversified company that provides grain, food, agronomy and energy resources to businesses and consumers on a global scale. As a cooperative, we are owned by farmers, ranchers and member cooperatives across the United States. We also have preferred shareholders who own our five series of preferred stock, all of which are listed and traded on Nasdaq. We operate in the following three reportable segments:

Current wording

CHS Inc. is a diversified company that provides grain, food, agronomy and energy resources to businesses and consumers on a global scale. As a cooperative, we are owned by farmers, ranchers and member cooperatives across the United States. We also have preferred shareholders who own our five series of preferred stock, all of which are listed and traded on Nasdaq.

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Management's Focus. When evaluating our operating performance, management focuses on income before income taxes ("IBIT"). As a company that operates heavily in global commodities, there is significant unpredictability and volatility in pricing, costs and global trade volumes. Consequently, we focus on managing the margin we can earn and the resulting IBIT. We also focus on ensuring balance sheet strength through appropriate management of financial liquidity, leverage, capital allocation and cash flow optimization.

Current wording

Management's Focus. When evaluating our operating performance, management focuses on gross profit and income before income taxes ("IBIT"). As a company that operates heavily in global commodities, there is significant unpredictability and volatility in pricing, costs and global trade volumes. Consequently, we focus on managing the margin we can earn and the resulting IBIT. We also focus on ensuring balance sheet strength through appropriate management of financial liquidity, leverage, capital allocation and cash flow optimization.

Previous wording

Seasonality. Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and our operating results vary throughout the year. Our revenues and IBIT generally trend lower during the second fiscal quarter and increase in the third fiscal quarter. For example, in our Ag segment, our ag retail business generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the fall harvest and spring planting seasons, which generally correspond to our first and third fiscal quarters, respectively. Additionally, our agronomy business generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the spring planting season. Our global grain and processing operations are subject to fluctuations in volumes and revenues based on producer harvests, world grain prices, global demand and international trade relationships. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and revenues in certain operating areas, such as refined fuel products, in the spring, summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel use by agricultural producers is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, generally experience higher volumes and revenues during the winter heating and fall crop-drying seasons. The graphs below depict the seasonality inherent in our businesses.

Current wording

Seasonality. Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and our operating results vary throughout the year. Our revenues and IBIT generally trend lower during the second fiscal quarter and increase in the third fiscal quarter. For example, in our Grains segment, our retail business generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the fall harvest, which generally corresponds to our first fiscal quarter, and our global grain and processing operations within Grains are subject to fluctuations in volumes and revenues based on producer harvests, weather, world grain prices, global demand and international trade relationships. Our Agronomy segment generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the spring planting season. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and revenues in certain operating areas, such as refined fuel products, in the spring, summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel use by agricultural producers is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, generally experience higher volumes and revenues during the winter heating and fall crop-drying seasons. The tables below demonstrate the historical trend of seasonality inherent in our businesses.

Previous wording

Pricing and Volumes. Our revenues, assets and cash flows can be significantly affected by global market prices and sales volumes of commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas, grain, oilseed products and agronomy products. Changes in market prices for commodities we purchase without a corresponding change in the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Similarly, increased or decreased sales volumes without a corresponding change in the purchase and selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Commodity prices and sales volumes are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control, including weather; crop damage due to plant disease or insects; drought; availability/adequacy of supply of a commodity; availability of reliable rail, river, truck and ocean transportation networks; disease outbreaks; government regulations and policies; global trade disputes; wars and civil unrest; and general political and/or economic conditions.

Current wording

Pricing and Volumes. Our revenues, assets and cash flows can be significantly affected by global market prices and sales volumes of commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas, grain, oilseed products and agronomy products. Changes in market prices for commodities we purchase without a corresponding change in the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Similarly, increased or decreased sales volumes without a corresponding change in the purchase and selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Commodity prices and sales volumes are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control, including weather; crop damage due to plant disease or insects; drought; availability/adequacy of supply of a commodity; availability of reliable rail, river, truck and ocean transportation networks; disease outbreaks; government regulations and policies; global trade disputes; global competition; wars and civil unrest; and general political and/or economic conditions.

Previous wording

Our segments operate in cyclical environments in which market conditions can change rapidly with significant positive or negative impacts on our results. We anticipate various macroeconomic factors will continue to drive uncertainty and instability in global energy and agricultural commodity markets, as well as global financial markets, which could have a significant impact on each of our segments during fiscal 2026. These factors include, among others, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and further conflict in the Middle East, shifts in global trade flows for commodities, including global competitiveness giving rise to a weak export market for U.S.-sourced agricultural products, potential changes in U.S. trade policy, increased or fluctuating tariffs, a changing interest rate environment, and continued pricing pressures impacting costs of labor, freight and materials. These factors, or any form of them, could cause significant margin pressure and lower profitability. In addition to these broad macroeconomic factors, other factors could impact demand and pricing for agricultural inputs and outputs, as well as our ability to supply those inputs and outputs while remaining profitable. These include regional factors, such as unpredictable weather conditions, including those due to climate change. We currently expect global supply and demand factors impacting energy and agricultural commodities to be unfavorable for us in fiscal 2026. Further, in light of increasing uncertainty in the markets we serve, we are unable to predict how long the current environment will last or the significance of the financial and operational impacts to us; however, we currently expect the trend of reduced margins for energy and agricultural commodities to persist in fiscal 2026. Refer to Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional consideration these risks may have on our business operations and financial performance.

Current wording

Our segments operate in cyclical environments in which market conditions can change rapidly with significant positive or negative impacts on our results. We anticipate various macroeconomic factors will continue to drive uncertainty and instability in global energy and agricultural commodity markets, as well as global financial markets, which could have a significant impact on each of our segments during fiscal 2027 and beyond. These factors include, among others, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and conflict in the Middle East and other regions; shifts in global trade flows for commodities, including global economic impacts from supply disruptions associated with access to the Strait of Hormuz; global competitiveness giving rise to a weak export market for U.S.-sourced agricultural products; potential changes in U.S. trade policy, including increased or fluctuating tariffs; a changing interest rate environment; and continued pricing pressures impacting costs of labor, freight and materials. These factors, or any form of them, could cause significant margin pressure and lower profitability. To mitigate these impacts, we evaluate the economic environment and adjust our operations and business strategies to help improve our position in the market. In addition to these broad macroeconomic factors, other factors could impact demand and pricing for agricultural inputs and outputs, as well as our ability to supply those inputs and outputs while remaining profitable. These include the cost of renewable energy credits, the price of which has been volatile in recent years and could positively or negatively impact our profitability. For example, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") issued a renewable volume obligation ("RVO") in March 2026, which, as discussed in the MD&A Operating Metrics section, creates price uncertainty and volatility, while also significantly increasing the cost of our compliance with the program. Given the nature of our business, market dynamics and other mechanisms, it is possible the potential RVO compliance costs may be partially or wholly offset by certain other opportunities in our Energy and Grains businesses, but it is unknown if those opportunities will materialize. Additional factors that could impact demand and pricing of agricultural inputs and outputs include a weaker farm economy and regional factors, such as unpredictable weather conditions, including those due to climate change. We currently expect global economic factors impacting energy and agricultural commodities to be volatile and have the potential to be headwinds and/or tailwinds depending on future global market conditions as they evolve into fiscal 2027. Further, in light of uncertainty in the markets we serve, we are unable to predict how long the current environment will last or the significance of the financial and operational impacts to us; however, we currently expect the trend of volatile energy and agricultural commodities to persi…

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Previous wording

Our Energy segment operations primarily include our refineries in Laurel, Montana, and McPherson, Kansas, which process crude oil to produce refined products, including gasolines, distillates and other products. To ensure the reliability of our refineries, we perform major maintenance activities every two to five years, which require a temporary shutdown of operations. These planned shutdowns allow us to extend the life, increase the capacity and improve the safety and efficiency of our refinery processing assets. They also minimize unplanned business interruptions and are essential to the long-term reliability and profitability of our Energy segment.

Current wording

Our Energy segment operations primarily include our refineries in Laurel, Montana, and McPherson, Kansas, which process crude oil to produce refined products, including gasolines, diesel fuels, other distillates and other products. To ensure the reliability of our refineries, we perform major maintenance activities every two to five years, which require a temporary shutdown of operations. These planned shutdowns allow us to extend the life, increase the capacity and improve the safety and efficiency of our refinery processing assets. They also minimize unplanned business interruptions and are essential to the long-term reliability and profitability of our Energy segment.

Previous wording

We are subject to the Renewable Fuel Standard that requires refiners to blend renewable fuels (e.g., ethanol and biodiesel) into their finished transportation fuels or purchase renewable energy credits, known as renewable identification numbers ("RINs"), in lieu of blending. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") generally establishes new annual renewable fuel percentage standards for each compliance year in the preceding year. We generate RINs through our blending activities, but we cannot generate enough RINs to meet the needs of our refining capacity; therefore, RINs must be purchased on the open market. The price of RINs can be volatile, with prices for D6 ethanol RINs and D4 biodiesel RINs increasing by 24% and 29%, respectively, during fiscal 2025, compared to the prior year, which negatively impacted our earnings. Estimates of our RIN expenses are calculated using an average RIN price each month.

Current wording

We generate RINs through our blending activities, but we cannot generate enough RINs to meet the needs of our refining capacity; therefore, RINs must be purchased on the open market. The price of RINs can be volatile, with prices for D6 ethanol RINs and D4 biodiesel RINs increasing by 86% and 82%, respectively, during fiscal 2026, compared to the prior year, which, when combined with the increased RVO compliance obligations, negatively impacted our earnings. The final RVO has increased the demand for RINs, and we expect continued price volatility along with elevated and potentially increasing RINs prices into fiscal 2027.

Previous wording

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, we received notice from the EPA that our petitions seeking an extension of the small refinery exemption ("SRE") under the Renewable Fuels Standard for our Laurel, Montana, refinery were granted in full or in part for compliance years 2019 through 2024. This action by the EPA reduced our renewable volume obligation ("RVO") for production at our Laurel, Montana, refinery for those specific years and resulted in a benefit of approximately $90 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025. We may be eligible for exemptions for compliance years 2025 and beyond, but this is highly dependent on volumes of crude oil average throughput at that time and the EPA's evaluation of those potential future petitions. Further, we may incur future liabilities that partially or fully offset those benefits if the EPA reallocates the RVOs waived through the SRE process by increasing the blending requirements for larger refineries, including our McPherson, Kansas, refinery, in future years.

Current wording

We may be eligible for exemptions for compliance years 2026 and beyond, but this is highly dependent on average volumes of crude oil throughput at that time and the EPA's evaluation of those potential future petitions. Further, we may incur future liabilities that partially or fully offset those benefits as the EPA is evaluating a reallocation of the RVOs waived through the SRE process by increasing the blending requirements for certain refineries in future years.

Previous wording

In addition to our internal operational reliability, the profitability of our Energy segment is largely driven by crack spreads (i.e., the price differential between refined products and crude oil inputs) and Western Canadian Select ("WCS") crude oil discounts (i.e., the price discount for WCS crude oil relative to West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil), which are driven by supply and demand of refined products. Crack spreads and WCS crude oil discounts both decreased in fiscal 2025, compared to the prior year, contributing to significantly decreased IBIT for the Energy segment. The table below provides information about average market reference prices and differentials that impacted our Energy segment:

Current wording

In addition to our internal operational reliability and the RFS, the profitability of our Energy segment is largely driven by crack spreads (i.e., the price differential between refined products and crude oil inputs) and Western Canadian Select ("WCS") crude oil discounts (i.e., the price discount for WCS crude oil relative to West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil), which are driven by supply and demand of refined products. Crack spreads and WCS crude oil discounts both increased in fiscal 2026, compared to the prior year, contributing to significantly improved IBIT for the Energy segment. The table below provides information about average market reference prices and differentials that impacted our Energy segment.

Previous wording

Our Ag segment operations work together to facilitate the production, purchase, sale and eventual use of grain and other agricultural commodities within the United States and internationally. Profitability in our Ag segment is mostly driven by throughput and production volumes, as well as commodity price spreads; however, revenues and cost of goods sold ("COGS") are largely affected by market-driven commodity prices outside our control. The table below provides information about average market prices for agricultural commodities, as well as sales and throughput volumes that impacted our Ag segment for the years ended August 31, 2025 and 2024:

Current wording

Our Grains segment is primarily composed of our global grain marketing, processing and retail grains activities for our feed grains, oilseeds, wheat, specialty grains and animal nutrition product lines. The Grains segment connects producers to domestic and global grain markets through a broad origination and distribution network and markets commodities such as wheat, corn, soybeans, oilseeds and specialty grains. We operate grain facilities and trading offices across five continents, serving processors, food manufacturers and renewable fuel producers. Profitability in our Grains segment is largely driven by throughput and production volumes, as well as commodity price spreads; however, revenues and cost of goods sold ("COGS") are largely affected by market-driven commodity prices and weather-related conditions outside our control. The table below provides information about average market prices for agricultural commodities, as well as sales and throughput volumes that impacted our Grains segment.

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The charts below detail revenues, net of intersegment revenues, and IBIT by segment for fiscal 2025. Our Nitrogen Production segment represents an equity method investment that records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenues.

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The table below details revenues, net of intersegment revenues, and IBIT by segment for the years ended August 31, 2026, 2025 and 2024.

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•Significantly lower WCS crude oil discounts and crack spreads compared to the prior fiscal year, due to less favorable global market conditions, including higher U.S. refinery capacity utilization and global production, as well as additional export opportunities for Canadian crude oil, contributed to a $308.1 million decrease of IBIT.

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•Significantly lower WCS crude oil discounts and crack spreads, resulting from less favorable market conditions including increased global refined fuels production, U.S. refinery capacity utilization and additional export opportunities for Canadian crude oil, reduced refining margins and decreased Energy IBIT.

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•Decreased margins for our grain and oilseed product category are primarily a result of unfavorable market conditions in North America, South America and Europe, costs associated with closing our Superior, Wisconsin, grain facility and the timing impact of mark-to-market adjustments, collectively contributed to a $118.8 million decrease in IBIT.

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•Lower wheat margins, resulting from unfavorable market conditions in North America, South America and Europe, also negatively impacted earnings.

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◦$590.7 million for wholesale and retail agronomy products as a result of more favorable weather conditions and strategic initiatives to grow the business and;

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•Higher crop nutrient and crop protection products sales volumes, as a result of favorable weather conditions and strategic initiatives to grow the business, increased Agronomy revenues.

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Our Nitrogen Production segment IBIT increased slightly from the prior fiscal year due to higher equity income primarily attributed to favorable market conditions associated with urea. Corporate and Other IBIT increased largely as a result of a gain on the sale of a business, recognized by our equity investment Ventura Foods, during the year ended August 31, 2025.

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During the year ended August 31, 2025, compared to the year ended August 31, 2024, higher transportation volumes positively impacted Corporate and Services revenues, while IBIT increased largely as a result of a gain on the sale of a business, recognized by our equity investment Ventura Foods.

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Marketing, general and administrative expenses decreased during fiscal 2025 primarily due to lower expenses for performance-based incentive compensation associated with our lower profitability during the current fiscal year.

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Marketing, general and administrative expenses decreased during fiscal 2025 primarily driven by the year-over-year decrease in incentive-based compensation and benefit expenses.

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*See Note 6, Investments, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

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*See Note 6, Investments, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

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Equity income from investments increased during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year, primarily due to a gain on the sale of a business recognized by our equity investment Ventura Foods.

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Equity income from investments increased during fiscal 2025 compared to the prior year, primarily due to a gain on the sale of a business, recognized by our equity investment Ventura Foods, and strong performance from our investment in CF Nitrogen.

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•Capital expenditures. We expect total capital expenditures for fiscal 2026 to be approximately $575.1 million, compared to capital expenditures of $728.6 million in fiscal 2025, as we continue to invest in capital expenditures projects to meet the evolving needs of our owners and customers and enhance value for the cooperative system during fiscal 2026.

Current wording

•Capital expenditures. We expect total capital expenditures for fiscal 2027 to be approximately $850.8 million, compared to capital expenditures of $463.3 million in fiscal 2026, as we continue to invest in capital projects to meet the evolving needs of our owners and customers and enhance value for the cooperative system. The fiscal 2027 projection includes amounts for our recently announced soybean processing facility in Evansville, Wisconsin.

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•Major maintenance. We expect total major maintenance for fiscal 2026 to be approximately $53.3 million, compared to major maintenance of $271.4 million in fiscal 2025. Decreased major maintenance expectation for fiscal 2026 is due to significantly reduced turnaround activities at our refineries compared to the turnaround at our McPherson refinery during fiscal 2025.

Current wording

•Major maintenance. We expect total major maintenance for fiscal 2027 to be approximately $41.8 million, compared to major maintenance of $68.3 million in fiscal 2026. Decreased major maintenance for fiscal 2027 is due to reduced turnaround activities at our refineries compared to the turnaround at our Laurel refinery during fiscal 2026.

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•Patronage. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $30.0 million of our fiscal 2025 patronage-sourced earnings to be paid to our member-owners during fiscal 2026.

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•Patronage. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $150.0 million of our fiscal 2026 patronage-sourced earnings to be paid to our member-owners as cash patronage during fiscal 2027 based on business done with CHS during fiscal 2026.

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•Equity redemptions. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $90.0 million of equity redemptions to be distributed in fiscal 2026 in the form of redemptions of qualified and nonqualified equity owned by individual producer-members and association members. The Board of Directors will continue to periodically evaluate the level of equity redemption activity throughout fiscal 2026 with respect to the amounts it has authorized for redemption during the fiscal year.

Current wording

•Equity redemptions. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $150.0 million of equity redemptions to be distributed in fiscal 2027, in the form of redemptions of qualified and nonqualified equity owned by individual producer-members and association members. The Board of Directors periodically evaluates the level of equity redemption activity relative to the amounts it has authorized for redemption.

Previous wording

We believe cash generated by operating and investing activities, along with available borrowing capacity under our credit facilities, will be sufficient to support our short-term (the next 12 months) and long-term (beyond the next 12 months) operations. Our notes payable and long-term debt are subject to various restrictive requirements for maintenance of minimum consolidated net worth and other financial ratios. We were in compliance with all our debt covenants and restrictions as of August 31, 2025. Based on our current 2026 projections, we expect continued covenant compliance.

Current wording

We believe cash generated by operating and investing activities, along with available borrowing capacity under our credit facilities, will be sufficient to support our short-term (the next 12 months) and long-term (beyond the next 12 months) operations. However, we may from time to time issue long-term debt to fund growth projects or otherwise manage our liquidity and capital structure. Our notes payable and long-term debt are subject to various restrictive requirements for maintenance of minimum consolidated net worth and other financial ratios. We were in compliance with all our debt covenants and restrictions as of August 31, 2026. Based on our current 2027 projections, we expect continued covenant compliance.

Previous wording

As of August 31, 2025, working capital decreased by $504.1 million compared with August 31, 2024. Current asset balance changes decreased working capital by $622.4 million, primarily driven by a lower cash balance due to a decline in cash provided by operations during fiscal year 2025. Current liabilities balance changes increased working capital by $118.3 million, primarily due to a decrease in dividends and equity payable for lower cash patronage and equity redemptions expected to be distributed during fiscal year 2026 compared to fiscal year 2025.

Current wording

As of August 31, 2026, working capital increased by $988.9 million compared with August 31, 2025. Current asset balance changes increased working capital by $1.3 billion, primarily driven by an increase in inventory levels at the end of fiscal year 2026 compared to fiscal year 2025. Current liabilities balance changes decreased working capital by $324.8 million, primarily due to an increase in dividends and equity payable for higher cash patronage and equity redemptions expected to be distributed during fiscal year 2027 compared to fiscal year 2026.

Previous wording

Cash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period to period as a result of various factors, including seasonality and timing differences associated with purchases, sales, taxes and other business decisions. The $637.1 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2025 primarily reflects decreased net income, as well as decreased cash provided by inventories during fiscal 2025.

Current wording

Cash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period to period as a result of various factors, including seasonality and timing differences associated with purchases, sales, taxes and other business decisions. The $948.2 million increase in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2026 primarily reflects increased cash provided by accounts payable and accrued expenses, as well as increased net income during fiscal 2026.

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The $551.0 million decrease in cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2025 reflects increased proceeds from the sale and maturity of investments and lower expenditures for property, plant and equipment during fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024.

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The $78.2 million decrease in cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2026 reflects lower expenditures for property, plant and equipment, business acquisitions and major maintenance, offset by decreased proceeds from the sale and maturity of investments, increased purchases of short-term investments and increases in CHS Capital notes receivable during fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025.

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The $583.7 million decrease in cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2025 primarily reflects increased net proceeds from long-term debt and decreased cash outflows for patronage paid and equity redemptions during fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024.

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The $566.3 million increase in cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2026 primarily reflects lower net borrowings, partially offset by lower cash payments for patronage dividends and equity redemptions, compared to fiscal 2025.

Previous wording

Tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in our financial statements if it is more likely than not the position would be sustained upon examination by a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The benefits are measured using a cumulative probability approach. Under this approach, we record in our financial statements the greatest amount of tax benefits that have a more than 50% probability of being realized upon final settlement with the tax authorities. In determining these tax benefits, we assign probabilities to a range of outcomes that we feel we could ultimately settle on with the tax authorities using all relevant facts and information available at the reporting date. Due to the complexity of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a benefit that is materially different than our current estimate.

Current wording

Tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in our financial statements if it is more likely than not the position would be sustained upon examination by a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The benefits are measured using a cumulative probability approach. Under this approach, we record in our financial statements the greatest amount of tax benefits that have a more than 50% probability of being realized upon final settlement with the tax authorities. In determining these tax benefits, we assign probabilities to a range of possible outcomes using all relevant facts and information available at the reporting date. Due to the complexity of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a benefit that is materially different than our current estimate.