Q4 2025 Nutrien Ltd Earnings Call

February 19, 2026

Operator: Greetings, and welcome to Nutrien's 2025 fourth quarter earnings call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference call over to Jeff Holzman, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and FP&A.

Speaker #1: As a reminder, this conference call is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference call over to Jeff Holzman, Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and FP&A.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Operator. Good morning, and welcome to Nutrien's fourth-quarter 2025 earnings call. As we conduct this call, various statements that we make about future expectations, plans, and prospects contain forward-looking information.

Jeff Holzman: Thank you, operator. Good morning, and welcome to Nutrien's Q4 2025 earnings call. As we conduct this call, various statements that we make about future expectations, plans, and prospects contain forward-looking information. Certain assumptions were applied in making these conclusions and forecasts. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking information. Additional information about these factors and assumptions is contained in our quarterly report to shareholders, as well as our most recent annual report, MD&A, and annual information form. I'll now turn the call over to Ken Seitz, Nutrien's President and CEO, and Mark Thompson, our CFO, for opening comments.

Speaker #1: Certain assumptions were applied in making these conclusions and forecasts. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from those contained in our forward-looking information. Additional information about these factors and assumptions is contained in our quarterly report to shareholders, as well as our most recent annual report, MD&A and annual information form.

Speaker #1: I'll now turn the call over to Ken Seitz, Nutrien's President and CEO, and Mark Thompson, our CFO, for opening comments. Good morning, and thank you for joining us today to review Nutrien's 2025 results.

Ken Seitz: Good morning, and thank you for joining us today to review Nutrien's 2025 results and the outlook for the year ahead. At our Investor Day in 2024, we outlined an ambitious three-year plan with clear performance targets that included increasing upstream fertilizer sales volumes, growing downstream retail earnings, reducing operating costs, and optimizing capital expenditures. Our results reflect the strong execution of this plan, contributing to higher earnings and free cash flow, lower net debt, and increased cash return to shareholders. In 2025, we generated adjusted EBITDA of $6.05 billion, up 13% from the prior year. We delivered record set fertilizer sales volumes in 2025 of 27.5 million tons, utilizing the strengths of our end-to-end supply chain to efficiently serve our customers.

Speaker #1: And the outlook for the year ahead. At our investor day in 2024, we outlined an ambitious three-year plan with clear performance targets that included increasing upstream fertilizer sales volumes, growing downstream retail earnings, reducing operating costs, and optimizing capital expenditures.

Speaker #1: Our results reflect a strong execution of this plan, contributing to higher earnings and free cash flow, lower net debt, and increased cash return to shareholders.

Speaker #1: In 2025, we generated adjusted EBITDA of $6.05 billion, up 13% from the prior year. We delivered record fertilizer sales volumes in 27.5 million tons, utilizing the strengths of our end-to-end supply chain to efficiently serve our customers.

Speaker #1: We raised our potash sales volume guidance twice during the year, as strong offshore demand offset a short and fall application window in North America.

Ken Seitz: We raised our potash sales volume guidance twice during the year, as strong offshore demand offset a shortened fall application window in North America. We achieved 49% potash mine automation, a significant accomplishment that provides safety benefits and further strengthens our low-cost advantage. Our potash controllable cash cost averaged $58 per ton for the year, below our $60 per ton goal. We increased nitrogen sales volumes to 10.9 million tons and achieved a four percentage point improvement in ammonia operating rates, supported by reliability initiatives and the completion of low-cost debottlenecks. Excellent performance from our North American nitrogen plants helped offset the impact of a controlled shutdown of our Trinidad operations in the fourth quarter. In phosphate, our operating rate averaged 87% in the second half of 2025.

Speaker #1: We achieved 49% potash mine automation as significant accomplishment that provides safety benefits and further strengthens our low-cost advantage. Our potash controllable cash cost averaged $58 per ton for the year, below our $60 per ton goal.

Speaker #1: We increased nitrogen sales volumes to 10.9 million tons and achieved a 4-percentage-point improvement in ammonia operating rates, supported by reliability initiatives and the completion of low-cost debottlenecks.

Speaker #1: Excellent performance from our North American nitrogen plants helped offset the impact of a controlled shutdown of our Trinidad operations in the fourth quarter. And in phosphate, our operating rate averaged 87% in the second half of 2025.

Speaker #1: Reliability improvements and a strong commercial footprint enabled us to deliver within our guidance range, despite lower North American demand in the fourth quarter. Our downstream retail adjusted EBITDA increased to $1.74 billion through decisive cost reductions, strong proprietary margins, and solid execution of our Brazil margin improvement plan.

Ken Seitz: Reliability improvements and a strong commercial footprint enabled us to deliver within our guidance range, despite lower North American demand in Q4. Our downstream retail Adjusted EBITDA increased to $1.74 billion through decisive cost reductions, strong proprietary margins, and solid execution of our Brazil Margin Improvement Plan. Our unwavering focus on controllables allowed us to manage through weaker agricultural commodity markets and persistent geopolitical volatility, ultimately delivering results consistent with our guidance set at the beginning of the year. We surpassed our $200 million annual cost savings target and reduced capital expenditures to $2 billion, well below our Investor Day target of $2.2 to $2.3 billion. As a result of these efforts, we have structurally grown free cash flow, strengthening the company today and providing significant headroom for capital deployment going forward.

Speaker #1: Our unwavering focus on controllables, through weaker agricultural commodity markets and persistent geopolitical volatility, ultimately delivering results consistent with our guidance set at the beginning of the year.

Speaker #1: We surpassed our $200 million annual cost savings target and reduced capital expenditures to $2 billion. Well below our investor day target of $2 to $2.2 to $2.3 billion.

Speaker #1: As a result of these efforts, we have structurally grown free cash flow, strengthening the company today and providing significant headroom for capital deployment going forward.

Speaker #1: At our investor day, we also communicated a plan to simplify our portfolio. With the goal of concentrating our capital on assets with the highest quality earnings and cash flow streams.

Ken Seitz: At our Investor Day, we also communicated a plan to simplify our portfolio, with the goal of concentrating our capital on assets with the highest quality earnings and cash flow streams. We initiated this journey in 2024 by canceling our Geismar clean ammonia project and divesting smaller non-core assets. In 2025, we put further rigor to the analysis of our portfolio by comprehensively evaluating each asset on the merits of free cash flow contribution, return on invested capital, and relative competitive position. This review highlighted assets that could be optimized or monetized while sharpening our focus on improving capital efficiency. Where an asset did not meet our threshold or was not a strategic fit, we took action and generated approximately $900 million in gross proceeds from divestitures.

Speaker #1: We initiated this journey in 2024 by canceling our guise mark clean ammonia project and divesting smaller non-core assets. In 2025, we put further rigor to the analysis of our portfolio by comprehensively evaluating each asset on the merits of free cash flow contribution return on invested capital, and relative competitive position.

Speaker #1: This review highlighted assets that could be optimized or monetized, while sharpening our focus on improving capital efficiency. Where an asset did not meet our threshold or was not a strategic fit, we took action.

Speaker #1: And generated approximately $900 million in gross proceeds from divestitures. We utilized the increased free cash flow and proceeds from non-core asset divestitures to progress two key capital allocation priorities.

Ken Seitz: We utilized the increased free cash flow and proceeds from non-core asset divestitures to progress two key capital allocation priorities. We reduced short-term debt by over $600 million compared to the prior year and continued to position the balance sheet as a strategic asset that provides flexibility to act countercyclically. We also delivered a 30% increase in cash return to shareholders in 2025. This was achieved through the execution of a ratable share repurchases throughout the year, an approach that is aligned with our focus on driving growth and free cash flow per share. The reduction in share count also supports our long-standing track record of providing shareholders with a reliable and growing dividend per share, while keeping total dividend expense broadly stable. To summarize, our performance in 2025 demonstrated resilience and consistency in an evolving environment.

Speaker #1: We reduced short-term debt by over $600 million compared to the prior year, and continued to position the balance sheet as a strategic asset that provides flexibility to act countercyclically.

Speaker #1: We also delivered a 30% increase in cash return to shareholders in 2025. This was achieved through the execution of rateable share repurchases throughout the year.

Speaker #1: An approach that is aligned with our focus on driving growth and free cash flow per share. The reduction in share count also supports our long-standing track record of providing shareholders with a reliable and growing dividend per share while keeping total dividend expense broadly stable.

Speaker #1: To summarize our performance in 2025 demonstrated resilience and consistency in an evolving environment. We expect to build on this momentum in 2026 with a focus on delivering growth from our core businesses and maintaining capital allocation discipline.

Ken Seitz: We expect to build on this momentum in 2026, with a focus on delivering growth from our core businesses and maintaining capital allocation discipline. In addition, we will continue to advance portfolio initiatives in three key areas. First, as previously announced, we launched a review of strategic alternatives for our phosphate business in Q4 2025, and are on track to solidify the optimal path in 2026. Second, we continue to assess options for our Trinidad nitrogen operations and focus on enhancing our core North American assets, improving the margin profile of our nitrogen business. Lastly, we made significant progress on our retail margin improvement plan in Brazil over the past year. However, macroeconomic headwinds have kept returns below what we would view as appropriate to support the capital deployed there.

Speaker #1: In addition, we will continue to advance portfolio initiatives in three key areas. First, as previously announced, we launched a review of strategic alternatives for our phosphate business in the fourth quarter of 2025 and are on track to solidify the optimal path in 2026.

Speaker #1: Second, we continue to assess options for our Trinidad nitrogen operations and focus on enhancing our core North American assets: improving the margin profile of our nitrogen business.

Speaker #1: Lastly, we made significant progress on our retail margin improvement plan in Brazil over the past year. However, macroeconomic headwinds have kept returns below what we would view as appropriate to support the capital deployed there.

Speaker #1: We will continue to take actions to drive improved performance in 2026 while actively reviewing alternatives for each component of our Brazilian business and the optimal way to participate in the long-term growth in this market.

Ken Seitz: We will continue to take actions to drive improved performance in 2026, while actively reviewing alternatives for each component of our Brazilian business and the optimal way to participate in the long-term growth in this market. I will now turn it over to Mark to speak in more detail on our 2026 outlook and capital allocation plans.

Speaker #1: I will now turn it over to Mark to speak in more detail on our 2026 outlook and capital allocation plans. Thanks, Ken. As Ken highlighted, our 2025 results reflect excellent operating performance paired with prudent cost management and capital optimization across the company.

Mark Thompson: Thanks, Ken. As Ken highlighted, our 2025 results reflect excellent operating performance, paired with prudent cost management and capital optimization across the company. As we look ahead to 2026, we see constructive fundamentals for our business. Potash demand is projected to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2026, supported by strong relative affordability, large nutrient removal, and low channel inventories. We've seen good engagement across all major markets, with most benchmark prices approximately 20% higher compared to 12 months ago. We anticipate relatively tight fundamentals through 2026, as trend line demand growth is testing existing global operating and supply chain capabilities. Our potash sales volume guidance of 14.1 to 14.8 million tons is consistent with our global demand projection.

Speaker #1: As we look ahead to 2026, we see constructive fundamentals for our business. Potash demand is projected to grow for the fourth consecutive year in 2026.

Speaker #1: Supported by strong relative affordability, large nutrient removal, and low channel inventories. We've seen good engagement across all major markets, with most benchmark prices approximately 20% higher compared to 12 months ago.

Speaker #1: We anticipate relatively tight fundamentals through 2026, as trendline demand growth is testing existing global operating and supply chain capabilities. Our potash sales volume guidance of 14.1 to 14.8 million tons is consistent with our global demand projection.

Speaker #1: Capitex was committed through the first quarter much earlier compared to the past several years, and our domestic winter fill program was very well subscribed.

Mark Thompson: CapEx was committed through the first quarter, much earlier compared to the past several years, and our domestic winter fill program was very well subscribed. As a result, we expect first quarter sales volumes similar to the same period of 2025, and selling prices that reflect the year-over-year increase in benchmark values. On a full year basis, we expect controllable cash costs per ton at or below our goal of $60 per ton. Global nitrogen markets are currently being influenced by supply issues, while demand is expected to grow in line with historical rates, driven by increasing use in agricultural markets such as Asia and Latin America. Global ammonia markets remain tight due to project delays and plant outages, while strong seasonal urea demand and geopolitical uncertainty have pushed urea values higher.

Speaker #1: As a result, we expect first quarter sales volumes similar to the same period of 2025 and selling prices that reflect the year-over-year increase in benchmark values.

Speaker #1: On a full-year basis, we expect controllable cash costs per ton at or below our goal of $60 per ton. Global nitrogen markets are currently being influenced by supply issues, while demand is expected to grow in line with historical rates driven by increasing use in agricultural markets such as Asia and Latin America.

Speaker #1: Global ammonia markets remain tight due to project delays and plan outages, while strong seasonal urea demand and geopolitical uncertainty have pushed urea values higher.

Speaker #1: Our nitrogen sales volumes guidance of 9.2 to 9.7 million tons is supported by reliability initiatives and low-cost debottleneck projects and assumes no production from Trinidad and New Madrid in 2026.

Mark Thompson: Our nitrogen sales volumes guidance of 9.2 to 9.7 million tons is supported by reliability initiatives and low-cost debottleneck projects, and assumes no production from Trinidad and New Madrid in 2026. These facilities accounted for approximately 1.6 million tons in 2025, or approximately 15% of our nitrogen segment sales volumes. However, they contributed minimal free cash flow. Our cost structure in nitrogen now reflects production tied entirely to AECO and Henry Hub Gas, raising the margin profile of our business and providing greater stability to our cash flow. In phosphate, we expect continued reliability benefits to support higher sales volumes with guidance of 2.4 to 2.6 million tons. The majority of the year-over-year volume growth is projected in the first half. However, we also anticipate elevated input costs to pressure margins in the near term.

Speaker #1: These facilities accounted for approximately 1.6 million tons in 2025, or approximately 15% of our nitrogen segment sales volumes. However, they contributed minimal free cash flow.

Speaker #1: Our cost structure in nitrogen now reflects production tied entirely to ACO and Henry Hub gas, raising the margin profile of our business and providing greater stability to our cash flow.

Speaker #1: In phosphate, we expect continued reliability benefits to support higher sales volumes with guidance of 2.4 to 2.6 million tons. The majority of the year-over-year volume growth is projected in the first half; however, we also anticipate elevated input costs to pressure margins in the near term.

Speaker #1: Retail-adjusted EBITDA of 1.75 to 1.95 billion dollars represents continued growth in our downstream business, consistent with historical rates. The midpoint of our range is underpinned by four key items.

Mark Thompson: Retail adjusted EBITDA of $1.75 to 1.95 billion represents continued growth in our downstream business, consistent with historical rates. The midpoint of our range is underpinned by four key items. First, we expect high single-digit growth in our Proprietary Products gross margin in 2026, supported by the launch of new products, organic growth in our core retail geographies, and the continued expansion of our international business. Second, we expect a mid-single-digit increase in our North American crop nutrient sales volumes, with margin rates similar to 2025. The recovery in volumes is driven by the need to replenish soil nutrients following a record crop and a shortened fall application window. Third, we assume improved weather conditions in Australia that are expected to drive higher crop input demand compared to the first half of 2025.

Speaker #1: First, we expect high single-digit growth in our proprietary products gross margin in 2026, supported by the launch of new products, organic growth in our core retail geographies, and the continued expansion of our international business.

Speaker #1: Second, we expect a mid-single-digit increase in our North American crop nutrient sales volumes with margin rates similar to 2025. The recovery in volumes is driven by the need to replenish soil nutrients following a record crop and a shortened fall application window.

Speaker #1: Third, we assume improved weather conditions in Australia, that are expected to drive higher crop input demand compared to the first half of 2025. And finally, we continue to drive cost management efforts across all of our geographies, which is expected to support incremental EBITDA margin improvement.

Mark Thompson: And finally, we continue to drive cost management efforts across all of our geographies, which is expected to support incremental EBITDA margin improvement. We see the majority of these drivers being structural and supportive of growth in retail earnings beyond 2026. Now, turning to capital allocation. For 2026, our priorities remain unchanged. We expect cash from operations to be supported by constructive fertilizer market fundamentals, and organic growth drivers that I highlighted in each of our operating segments. Further, we ended 2025 with a working capital build due to the delayed timing of customer purchases. We expect the majority of this to unwind in 2026, supporting a meaningful improvement in cash conversion. Our capital expenditures guidance of $2 to 2.1 billion is consistent with 2025 and approximately $200 million below our Investor Day target.

Speaker #1: We see the majority of these drivers being structural and supportive of growth in retail earnings beyond 2026. Now turning to capital allocation. For 2026, our priorities remain unchanged.

Speaker #1: We expect cash from operations to be supported by constructive fertilizer market fundamentals and organic growth drivers that I highlighted in each of our operating segments.

Speaker #1: Further, we ended 2025 with a working capital build due to the delayed timing of customer purchases. We expect the majority of this to unwind in 2026, supporting a meaningful improvement in cash conversion.

Speaker #1: Our capital expenditures guidance of 2 to 2.1 billion dollars is consistent with 2025 and approximately 200 million dollars below our investor date target. We've committed capital to sustain safe and reliable operations and to progress a set of targeted growth investments that have a strong fit with our strategy to provide returns in excess of our hurdle rates and have a relatively low degree of execution risk.

Mark Thompson: We've committed capital to sustain safe and reliable operations and to progress a set of targeted growth investments that have a strong fit with our strategy, provide returns in excess of our hurdle rates, and have a relatively low degree of execution risk. Our most recent dividend, declared yesterday, marks the eighth consecutive year we've raised the dividend per share, and Nutrien's board of directors has also authorized the repurchase of up to 5% of our outstanding common shares over the next 12 months. We've repurchased shares at a pace of approximately $50 million per month, year to date, and shareholders should continue to expect that ratable repurchases will be a consistent staple in our capital allocation framework going forward. I'll now turn it back to Ken for closing remarks.

Speaker #1: Our most recent dividend declared yesterday marks the eighth consecutive year we've raised the dividend per share and nutrients board of directors has also authorized the repurchase of up to 5% of our outstanding common shares over the next 12 months.

Speaker #1: We've repurchased shares at a pace of approximately 50 million dollars per month year to date, and shareholders should continue to expect that ratable repurchases will be a consistent staple in our capital allocation framework going forward.

Speaker #1: I'll now turn it back to Ken for closing remarks.

Speaker #2: Thanks, Mark. Over the past 18 months, we have taken purposeful steps to position our organization as one that is committed to excellence and determined to deliver industry-leading results.

Ken Seitz: Thanks, Mark. Over the past 18 months, we have taken purposeful steps to position our organization as one that is committed to excellence and determined to deliver industry-leading results. We have streamlined leadership structures, established clear accountabilities, and centralized functions and decision-making. As a result, Nutrien today is an organization that is leaner, more disciplined, and better positioned than ever to deliver on its potential. We have aligned the company around a proven set of strategic priorities, simplifying our business, driving operational improvements, and maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation. I believe our unrelenting focus on these strategic priorities is delivering clear results and positioning Nutrien for long-term success. I'm proud of what we have achieved and excited about the extraordinary potential to build on this momentum. In closing, 2025 has been a defining year, and our focus in 2026 remains unchanged.

Speaker #2: We have streamlined leadership structures, established clear accountabilities, and centralized functions and decision-making. As a result, nutrient today is an organization that is leaner, more disciplined, and better positioned than ever to deliver on its potential.

Speaker #2: We have aligned the company around a proven set of strategic priorities simplifying our business, driving operational improvements, and maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation.

Speaker #2: I believe our unrelenting focus on these strategic priorities is delivering clear, results, and positioning nutrient for long-term success. I'm proud of what we have achieved and excited about the extraordinary potential to build on this momentum.

Speaker #2: In closing, 2025 has been a defining year and our focus in 2026 remains unchanged. I want to express my sincere appreciation to our 25,000 employees for their focus, hard work, and dedication.

Ken Seitz: Express my sincere appreciation to our 25,000 employees for their focus, hard work, and dedication. Thank you all for your time, and we would be happy to take your questions.

Speaker #2: Thank you all for your time, and we would be happy to take your questions.

Speaker #1: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the question and answer session. Should you have a question, please press star followed by the number one on your touch tone phone.

Operator: Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin the question-and-answer session. Should you have a question, please press star followed by the number 1 on your touch tone phone. You will hear a prompt that your hand has been raised. Should you wish to decline from the polling process, please press star followed by the number 2. If you are using a speakerphone, please lift the handset before pressing any keys. The first question comes from Joel Jackson, from BMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: You will hear a prompt that your hand has been raised. Should you wish to decline from the polling process, please press star followed by the number two.

Speaker #1: If you are using a speakerphone, please lift the handset before pressing any keys. The first question comes from Joel Jackson from BMO Capital Markets.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Sorry about that. Good morning. I wonder if you could bridge us. I know you for a couple of years held the guidance range for this year for retail.

Joel Jackson: Sorry about that. Good morning. I wonder if you could bridge us. I know you, for a couple of years, you held the guidance range for this year for retail to $1.9 to 2.1 billion, so let's call that $2 billion. You're planning to deliver $1.85 this year, so that's $150 million. Could you bridge us, you know, when you think about the last couple of years, the differences there? And maybe when you do that, could you please highlight proprietary products, Brazil, North America, retail tuck-ins that, you know, got you to $1.85 for this year? Thanks.

Speaker #3: To 1.9 to 2.1 billion. So let's call that 2 billion. You're planning to deliver 1.85 this year. So that's 150 million. Could you bridge us when you think about the last couple of years, the differences there, and maybe when you do that, could you please highlight proprietary products, Brazil, North America, retail tuck-ins ins that got you to 1.85 for this year?

Speaker #3: Thanks.

Speaker #2: Yeah, you bet, Joel. Thank you. So the 2026 target is about 150 million above where we are midpoint for 2026 sits today in our guidance.

Ken Seitz: Yeah, you bet, Joel. Thank you. So, you know, the 2026 target is about $150 million above where we are midpoint for 2026 sits today in our guidance, and then there's a few reasons owing to that. One, the main driver is we have assumed the macro fundamentals would be modestly better than they are today, and I think that would be most of it. And so that the result is a bit slower proprietary product growth, and we've been a bit more selective on tuck-ins. And, you know, because of modestly sort of modestly lower ag fundamentals or poor ag fundamentals, we have taken action in service of 2026 EBITDA. And so what have we done?

Speaker #2: And then there's a few reasons owing to that. One, the main driver is we have assumed a macro fundamentals would be modestly better than they are today.

Speaker #2: And I think that would be most of it. And so that the result is a bit slower proprietary product growth. And we've been a bit more selective on tuck-ins.

Speaker #2: And because of modestly sort of modestly lower ag fundamentals, poorer ag fundamentals, we have taken action in service of 2026 EBITDA. And so what have we done?

Speaker #2: We've paired growth of the market with what we've seen in the market. And that is accelerating our cost reductions. We've talked about that. That's Latin American restructuring and the Brazil margin improvement plan.

Ken Seitz: We've paired growth of the market with what we've seen in the market, and that is accelerating our cost reductions. We've talked about that. That's Latin American restructuring, and the Brazil margin improvement plan. We've closed underperforming assets. That's 50-plus locations, both in North America and in Australia. We've reduced headcounts by over 400 positions. We've restructured non-core and unprofitable businesses. So we've really taken action on the cost reduction side. We've optimized our capital expenditures. We've increased the contributions from Nutrien Financial and certainly better working capital management. And we see additional opportunity on the working capital front as well. So that, you know, since 2023, we have increased earnings in our retail business by $400 million. And I think an important point there is that we believe that that's structural.

Speaker #2: We've closed underperforming assets. That's 50-plus locations, both in North America and Australia. We've reduced headcount by over 400 positions. We've restructured non-core and unprofitable businesses.

Speaker #2: So we've really taken action on the cost reduction side. We've optimized our capital expenditures. We've increased the contributions from nutrient financial. And certainly, better working capital management.

Speaker #2: And we see additional opportunity on the working capital front as well. So that since 2023, we have increased earnings in our retail business by 400 million dollars.

Speaker #2: And I think an important point there is that we believe that's structural. So that's a 6% growth rate up until 2026 and beyond.

Ken Seitz: So that's, you know, 6% growth rate up until 2026 and beyond. So we look at the business and we say, yes, ag fundamentals, modestly, you know, sort of not where we had thought that they would be. We react with cost reductions and business improvement, and through all that, we've increased EBITDA in our retail business by $400 million structurally since 2023.

Speaker #2: So we look at the business and we say, yes, ag fundamentals, modestly sort of not where we had thought that they would be. We react with cost reductions and business improvement.

Speaker #2: And through all that, we've increased EBITDA in our retail business by 400 million dollars. Structurally since 2023.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Chris Parkinson from Wolf Research. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Chris Parkinson from Wolfe Research. Please go ahead.

Chris Parkinson: Hi. Can we just go over real quick the demand dynamics that you're seeing in potash markets? I think most people are pretty decent on the supply, but just, you know, what surprised you? What's been in line with your expectations? Where do you think inventories are? Just seems like there are a couple of moving parts, which we'd like to keep track on. So any color there would be very helpful. Thank you.

Speaker #3: Hi. Can we just go over real quick the demand dynamics that you're seeing in potash markets? I think most people are pretty decent on the supply.

Speaker #3: But just what surprised you? What's been in line with your expectations? Where do you think inventories are? It just seems like there are a couple of moving parts.

Speaker #3: Which we'd like to keep track on. So any color there would be very helpful. Thank you.

Speaker #2: Yeah, thanks, Chris. So we're projecting 70, 40, 77 million tons this year—so up about a million tons from what actually happened last year.

Ken Seitz: Yeah, thanks, Chris. So, you know, we're projecting 74 to 77 million tons this year, so, you know, up about 1 million tons from what actually happened last year. And, you know, at that level, we're starting to reach sort of thresholds where it tests operations and supply chain capabilities. We do believe that underlying consumption is meeting shipments, so that there hasn't been a large inventory build. If you look at that sort of record early settlement in China, it's very strong evidence of depleted inventories, and the same thing in Brazil, where domestic inventories are at multi-year lows. So we again see that shipments is equal to consumption when we say 74 to 77 million tons, because we don't see inventory building. As a result, we've seen good prices.

Speaker #2: And at that level, we're starting to reach thresholds where it tests operations and supply chain capabilities. We do believe that underlying consumption is meeting shipments, so that there hasn't been a large inventory build.

Speaker #2: If you look at that sort of record early settlement in China, it's very strong evidence of depleted inventories. And same thing in Brazil. Our domestic inventories are at multi-year lows.

Speaker #2: So again, we see that shipments is equal to consumption when we say 70, 40, 77 million tons because we don't see inventory building. As a result, we've seen good prices.

Ken Seitz: You know, Brazil, $375, and again, low inventory. Our US Winter Fill Program, we were fully subscribed at, you know, the price there now, $355 per short ton. Southeast Asia is firm at $375, albeit they, there's some inventory there on a strong purchasing program last year. India, $349, and we do expect India to come forward, with an earlier settlement, given that, you know, there's a lot of volume now going to China, and the Indians are gonna have to step in as well. You know, so the Canpotex, with the volume moving offshore, is also now committed through Q1. So Chris, you know, I think, for the fourth year in a row now, we've seen demand growth, and it's, you know, getting from certain...

Speaker #2: Brazil, 375 dollars. And again, low inventory. Our US winter fill program, we were fully subscribed at the price they're now 355 dollars per short ton.

Speaker #2: Southeast Asia is firm at 375, albeit there's some inventory there on a strong program purchasing program last year. India 349. And we do expect India to come forward with an earlier settlement given that there's a Indians are going to have to step in as well.

Speaker #2: So that Computex with the volume moving offshore is also now committed through Q1. So Chris, I think for the fourth year in a row now, we've seen demand growth.

Speaker #2: And it's getting from sort of demand destruction of 2022 to 2023 right back onto trend level demand here into 2026, fourth year in a row, 74 to 77 million tons where inventories aren't building.

Ken Seitz: the demand destruction of 2022 to 2023, right back on to trend level demand here into 2026. Fourth year in a row, 74 to 77 million tons, where inventories aren't building. In other words, consumption's equaling, equaling shipments and probably reaching a point where you're, again, you're starting to test supply chain and, and operating capabilities, hence, you know, some of the firming that we've seen in price.

Speaker #2: In other words, consumption is equaling shipments. And probably reaching a point where you're, again, you're starting to test supply chain. And operating capabilities. Hence, some of the firming that we've seen in price.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Hamir Patel from CIBC. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Amir Patel from CIBC. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Hi, good morning. Ken, given the high end of your production potash production guidance range would be close to your current capacity, how do you think about how quickly you could bring on additional potash brownfield capacity in your system?

Aamir Patel: Hi, good morning. Ken, given the high end of your production, Potash production, guidance range would be close to your current capacity, how do you think about, you know, how quickly you could bring on additional Potash Brownfield capacity in your system? And when might you look to action further capital projects there?

Speaker #3: And when might you look to action further capital projects there?

Speaker #2: Yeah, thanks, Amir. Yeah, the beauty of having six mines is that we have just a solid understanding of where that next ton is going to come from.

Ken Seitz: Yeah, thanks, Amir. Yeah, you know, the beauty of having 6 mines is that we have just a solid understanding of where that next ton is going to come from, and certainly at what cost. So as we map out, you know, our trajectory of volumes, not just this year and next, but over the medium term, you know, we, we have a very strong sense of where they're gonna come from, when we can bring them on, and at what cost. So, yeah, Amir, this year we have 15 million tons of capability, and as the market grows, we have line of sight today to just continue to grow with it. When we say 19 to 20% market share in a growing market, again, we have line of sight to continue to expand our volumes as the market grows.

Speaker #2: And certainly at what cost. And so, as we map out our trajectory of volumes—not just this year and next, but over the medium term—we have a very strong sense of where they're going to come from, when we can bring them on, and at what cost.

Speaker #2: And so yeah, Amir, this year, we have 15 million tons of capability. And as the market grows, we have line of sight today to just continue to grow with it.

Speaker #2: When we say 19 to 20 percent market share in a growing market, again, we have line of sight to continue to expand our volumes as the market grows.

Ken Seitz: You know, at six mines, these investments are rather granular. It's conveyance underground, it's mining machines, and so we can do those, as long as we get the, the purchase orders in for those mining machines in time, the turnaround and installation of those things, we can move that relatively quickly. Incredibly low capital costs. Again, we talked about that $150 to 200 dollars per ton. That would be, what? 10% of what a greenfield investment would be. The last thing I'll say is, you know, not to underestimate the benefits of mine automation as we expand our production volume. As we said in the comments, we cut half of our ore in either fully autonomous or tele-remote mode.

Speaker #2: Six mines, these investments are rather granular. It's conveyance underground, it's mining machines, and so we can do those as long as we get the purchase orders in for those mining machines in time.

Speaker #2: The turnaround and installation of those things, we can move that relatively quickly. Incredibly low capital costs. Again, we talked about that 150 to 200 dollars per ton.

Speaker #2: That would be what? 10% of what a greenfield investment would be. The last thing I'll say is not to underestimate the benefits of mine automation as we expand our production volume.

Speaker #2: As we said in the comments, we cut half of our ore in either fully autonomous or telemote mode. And the safety benefits, absolutely. But the productivity benefits and the flexibility benefits, associated with automating these mines, it's really proving out.

Ken Seitz: And, you know, the safety benefits, absolutely, but the productivity benefits and the flexibility benefits associated with automating these mines, it's really proving out. So that when we talk about, as you say, Amir, expanding volume consistent with the way the market is growing and our maintenance of market share, our ability to do that, pace it at a low capital and maintaining our, you know, $60 cash cost per ton, we see that all coming together really very nicely as we sort of innovate on mine automation.

Speaker #2: So that when expanding volume, consistent with the way the market is growing and our maintenance of market share, our ability to do that pace at a low capital, and maintaining our $60 cash cost per ton, we see that all coming together really very nicely.

Speaker #2: As we sort of innovate on mine automation.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Ben Isaacson from Scotiabank. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Ben Isaacson from Scotiabank. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Thank you very much. And good morning, everyone. Just a quick question on Brazil. You generated a loss, I believe, in '24. And you were close to a break-even in '25.

Ben Isaacson: Thank you very much, and good morning, everyone. Just a quick question on Brazil. You generated a loss, I believe, in 2024, and you were close to a breakeven in 2025. Can you talk about the expectations for 2026? What is the upside case or, or what are the, the swing factors there? What should we expect out of Brazil? Thank you.

Speaker #3: Can you talk about the expectations for '26? What is the upside case or what are these swing factors there? What should we expect out of Brazil?

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Speaker #2: Yeah, thank you for the question, Ben. The Brazilian market continues to be challenged, I would say. Yes, we have been making great progress on our margin improvement plan.

Ken Seitz: Yeah, thank you for the question, Ben. You know, the Brazilian market continues to be challenged, I would say. Yes, we have been making great progress on our margin improvement plan. We've talked about idling blenders, closing unproductive locations, rationalizing workforce, and focus on collections, and that's all yielded, you know, results that, as you say, Ben, took us from a loss-making position in 2024 to making a bit of money in 2025. And if we look into 2026, again, given the ongoing challenges in that country, well, I would describe it as sort of modest improvement over what we did in 2025.

Speaker #2: We've talked about idling blenders and closing unproductive locations and rationalizing workforce and focus on collections. And that's all yielded results that, as you say, Ben, took us from a loss-making position in 2024 to making a bit of money in 2025.

Speaker #2: And if we look into 2026, again, given the ongoing challenges in that country, I would describe it as sort of a modest improvement over what we did in 2025.

Speaker #2: And in light of some of those modest improvements and in light of the ongoing challenges in Brazilian agriculture, we continue to assess and reassess our presence there, whether it be with seeds, certainly with proprietary products where we see opportunities to grow.

Ken Seitz: You know, in light of some of those modest improvements and in light of the ongoing challenges in Brazilian agriculture, you know, we continue to assess and reassess our presence there, whether it be with seeds, certainly with proprietary products where we see opportunity to grow, but on the retail front as well, what is the best, what is the best way to approach the Brazilian market? We know we're gonna be supplying potash there forever, and we're gonna be a meaningful supplier there. So when we put that all together, you know, I suspect there will be changes to sort of how we operate in Brazil in 2026, and we're just working through that now.

Speaker #2: But on the retail front as well, what is the best—what is the best way to approach the Brazilian market? We know we're going to be supplying potash there forever.

Speaker #2: And we're going to be a meaningful supplier there. So when we put that all together, I suspect there will be changes to sort of how we operate in Brazil in 2026.

Speaker #2: And we're just working through that now.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Vincent Andrews of Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Vincent Andrews of Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Good morning. This is Justin Pellegrino on for Vincent. I was just hoping you could kind of discuss the proprietary product mix and retail again.

Justin Pellegrino: Good morning. This is Justin Pellegrino on for Vincent. I was just hoping you could kind of discuss the proprietary product mix in retail again. You know, is there a, a level that you're looking to achieve at some point, in the, in the distant future? You know, is there a target percentage mix? And then can you kind of just frame for, for 2026 and beyond, what the drivers of, below or above expectations would be for that percentage mix? Thank you.

Speaker #3: Is there a level that you're looking to achieve at some point in the distant future? Is there a target percentage mix? And then can you kind of just frame for 2026 and beyond what the drivers of below or above expectations would be for that percentage mix?

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Speaker #2: Yeah, so thank you for the question, Justin. And yeah, we do have growth aspirations as it relates to proprietary products. I mean, it's grown to about gross margin of about 1.2 billion today.

Ken Seitz: Yeah. So thank you for the question, Justin. And yeah, we do have growth aspirations as it relates to Proprietary Products. I mean, it's grown to about $1.2 billion gross margin to date. And, you know, that's been... We've been experiencing sort of high single-digit growth rates over the last five years, and we expect that to continue for all kinds of reasons. So yeah, we do have growth aspirations, and that's true for the shelves that we currently, you know, put those products on, the innovations associated with new products, and we are introducing new products this year, and then looking abroad as well, international markets, where we're seeing some green shoots in terms of our ability to supply in different agricultural regions. But, Chris, did you want to say any more about Proprietary Products?

Speaker #2: And that's been, we've been experiencing sort of high single-digit growth rates over the last five years. And we expect that to continue for all kinds of reasons.

Speaker #2: So yeah, we do have growth aspirations. And that's true for the shelves that we currently put those products on, the innovations associated with new products.

Speaker #2: And we are introducing new products this year, and then looking abroad as well—international markets where we're seeing some green shoots in terms of our ability to supply in different agricultural regions.

Speaker #2: But Chris, did you want to say any more about proprietary?

Speaker #4: Yeah, good morning, Justin. Thanks for the question. Part of that growth story also is that, for example, we're going to be introducing 26 new products here in 2026 as part of the proprietary products range.

Chris Reynolds: Yeah. Good morning, Justin. Thanks for the question. You know, part of that growth story also is that, for example, we're gonna be introducing 26 new products here in 2026 as part of the, you know, proprietary products range. And, you know, as we look across the health of the grower today, their focus is very much on yield. And when you think about sort of the average to maybe a little below average crop commodity prices today, that's where their focus is. And their growing confidence in these proprietary products to help that yield outcome just continues to grow, as we said, not just domestically in North America, but also growing internationally as well.

Speaker #4: And as we look across at the health of the grower today, their focus is very much on yield. And when you think about sort of the average to maybe a little below average crop commodity prices today, that's where their focus is.

Speaker #4: And they're growing confidence in this proprietary products to help that yield outcome just continues to grow as we said, not just domestically in North America, but also growing internationally as well.

Speaker #4: So a big component of our growth as we've mentioned this morning is around that proprietary products range. And we feel very good about that long into the future.

Chris Reynolds: So a big component of our growth, as we've mentioned this morning, is around that proprietary products range, and we feel very good about that long into the future.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Andrew Wong of RBC. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Andrew Wong of RBC. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. So in the retail guidance, you're assuming a mid-single-digit growth in crop nutrient volumes in North America.

Ben Isaacson: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. So in the retail guidance, you're assuming a mid-single-digit growth in crop nutrient volumes in North America. Just curious, how does that differ in your view, across, like, nitrogen, potash, and, and phosphate? And how does that take into factors, such as crop switching between corn, soybean, and versus the need for nutrient replenishment after the really strong yield last year? Thank you.

Andrew Wong: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. So in the retail guidance, you're assuming a mid-single-digit growth in crop nutrient volumes in North America. Just curious, how does that differ in your view, across, like, nitrogen, potash, and, and phosphate? And how does that take into factors, such as crop switching between corn, soybean, and versus the need for nutrient replenishment after the really strong yield last year? Thank you.

Speaker #3: Just curious, how does that differ in your view across nitrogen potash and phosphate? And how does that take into factors such as crop switching between corn and soybean and versus the need for nutrient replenishment after the really strong yields last year?

Speaker #3: Thank you.

Speaker #2: Yeah, thank you. Andrew, and yeah, we're saying for corn 94 to 96 million, and for soybeans 84 to 86 million acres. So and we're now staring down at some catch-up with crop nutrients going down on the ground from a wet fall or weather challenged fall.

Ken Seitz: Yeah. Thank you, Andrew. And yeah, I believe, you know, we're saying, for corn, 94 to 96 million acres, and for soybeans, 84 to 86 million acres. So, you know, and, and, and we're now staring down at, some catch-up, with crop nutrients going down on the ground from a wet fall or, weather-challenged fall. Indeed, we had about a $300 million working capital build in, the Q4, which we expect to be released onto the ground, here, in the first half of the year. In terms of, fertilizer mix, I wouldn't say that it's, you know, going to be different than what we've seen in previous years. I think it'd be a balanced fertilizer mix.

Speaker #2: Indeed, we had about 300 million dollar working capital build in the fourth quarter, which we expect to be released onto the ground here in the first half of the year.

Speaker #2: In terms of fertilizer mix, I wouldn't say that it's going to be different than what we've seen in previous years. When you think of a balanced fertilizer mix, I mean, it's true that the North America took a record crop out of the ground last year, right across the board, corn and soybean.

Ken Seitz: I mean, it's true that the that North America took a record crop out of the ground last year, right across the the board, corn and soybean. So there was a lot of crop nutrients removed out of the ground last year, and those need to be replaced. But I I wouldn't say that we're looking at a a mix that's anything different than we've seen in historical years. So that we expect that the gross margin contribution from fertilizer in our retail business this year should be about $1.5 billion.

Speaker #2: So there was a lot of crop nutrients, removed out of the ground last year. And those need to be replaced. But I wouldn't say that we're looking at a mix that's anything different than we've seen in historical years.

Speaker #2: So that we expect that the gross margin contribution from fertilizer in our retail business this year should be about a billion and a half dollars.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Steve Hanson of Raymond James. Please go ahead.

Operator: ... Your next question comes from Steve Hansen of Raymond James. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Oh, yes, good morning, guys. Thanks for the time. I recognize it's still early here, but any incremental thoughts on the optimal path for the phosphate strategic review? And maybe just give us an update on where you're at and timelines that you might be starting to put together?

Steve Hansen: Oh, yes, good morning, guys. Thanks for the time. Recognize it's still early here, but any incremental thoughts on the optimal path for the phosphate strategic review, and maybe just give us an update where you're at and timelines that you might be starting to put together? Again, recognizing it's still early. Thanks.

Speaker #3: Again, recognizing it's still early.

Ken Seitz: Yeah, thanks, Steve. No conclusions on optimal path. We are, and you phrased it well. We are still in the midst of a strategic review, and when we announced it last quarter, we said that that could be anything from sort of revised operations all the way through to a sale. We are preparing, our team is preparing for, you know, the typical market testing process to gauge interest in those assets. I can tell you at this stage, we have had significant inbound, significant interest in entering a discussion around those assets.

Speaker #2: Yeah, thanks, Steve. No, no conclusions on optimal path. We are—and you phrased it well—we are still in the midst of a strategic review.

Speaker #2: And when we announced it last quarter, we said that that could be anything from sort of revised operations all the way through to a sale.

Speaker #2: We are preparing our team is preparing for the typical market testing process to gauge interest in those assets. I can tell you at this stage, we have had significant inbound, significant interest in entering a discussion around those assets.

Speaker #2: But we're not in a position to do that until we have all of our ducks in a row as it relates to data, information, and characterizing clearly characterizing the assets so people can understand what the business is and the state of the assets and all those things that you go through.

Ken Seitz: But we're not in a position to do that until we have all of our ducks in a row as it relates to data, information, and characterizing clearly characterizing the assets so people can understand, you know, what the business is and the state of the assets and all those things that you go through. So, you know, we're in a position in the next quarter where we'll be out in the market doing exactly that market testing and gauging what may be done there. In the meantime, parallel bodies of work to understand when we say revised operations, what do we mean by that? We have different assets here.

Speaker #2: So we are we're in a position we expect to be in a position in the next quarter where we'll be out in the market doing exactly that market testing and gauging what may be done there.

Speaker #2: In the meantime, parallel bodies of work to understand when we say a revised operations, what do we mean by that? We have different assets here.

Speaker #2: There's Aurora with an extended life of mine, Whitesprings with a life of mine that's just early into the next decade. But with additional resources in the area that we're having a look at.

Ken Seitz: There's Aurora with an extended life of mine, White Springs, with a life of mine that's just early into the next decade, but with additional resources in the area that we're having a look at, and then there's our feed plant. So, so when we say revised operations, what, what might we do with those assets? And everything in between that, then, Steve, in terms of sale assets and, and revised operations. So certainly, we wanna have conclusions. We wanna be able to tell you here in 2026, what's the plan, but, but we're just working through that at the moment.

Speaker #2: And then there's our feed plants. So when we say revised operations, what might we do with those assets? And everything in between that then, Steve, in terms of sale assets and revised operations.

Speaker #2: So certainly, we want to have conclusions. We want to be able to tell you here in 2026 what's the plan. But we're just working through that at the moment.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Lucas Beaumont of UBC. UBS, pardon. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Lucas Beaumont of UBS, pardon. Please go ahead.

Speaker #5: All right, thanks. Good morning. So I just wanted to follow up on the potash costs. So in the controllable cost kind of came in at 58 bucks a ton this year.

Lucas Beaumont: Great, thanks. Good morning. So I just wanted to follow up on the potash costs. So I mean, the controllable costs kinda came in at $58 a ton this year. I mean, it was a bit up year-over-year, but similar to sort of what you've done a couple of years before that. So, I mean, just going forward with your increasing production profile, sort of what you're doing on the automation front, how, how do you sort of see those costs trending into 2026 and beyond?

Speaker #5: I mean, it was a bit off year on year, but similar to sort of what you've done a couple of years before that. So I mean, just going forward with your increasing production profile, sort of what you're doing on the automation front, how do you sort of see those costs trending into 2026 and beyond?

Speaker #2: Yeah, Lucas, it is. Our goal to keep that number at $60 per ton cash cost per ton. And we'd find that as controllable cash cost.

Ken Seitz: Yeah, Lucas, it is our goal to keep that number at $60 per ton, cash cost per ton. And we, we'd find that as controllable cash cost, but yes, per ton for, you know, the foreseeable future. And why do we say that? It's, we're in an inflationary environment. We've been successful fighting back inflation with the things that you just described, with mine automation, which is our mining machines get further and further away from our conveyance shafts. You know, we were able to put our machines either in tele-remote mode, where you don't have operators traveling, you know, many kilometers underground to get to the equipment. They're just sitting on surface, operating the machines, or, in the case of Rocanville, fully autonomous, autonomous machines just tunneling around underground on their own, flip the switch.

Speaker #2: But yes, per ton for the foreseeable future. And why do we say that? It's we're in an inflationary environment. We've been successful fighting back inflation with the things that you just described, with mine automation, which is our mining machines get further and further away from our conveyance shafts.

Speaker #2: We were able to put our machines either in teleremote mode where you don't have operators traveling, many kilometers underground to get to the equipment.

Speaker #2: They're just sitting on surface, operating the machines, or in the case of Rokenville, fully autonomous machines just tunneling around underground on their own. You flip the switch.

Ken Seitz: You know, those, that yields obvious productivity benefits, which goes right to, that, you know, $60 or less cash cost per ton. And yes, we're absolutely-- we talked earlier about, you know, our market share in a growing market where we'll expand volumes, and we're expanding more volumes over a fixed cost base, which of course, contributes to helping us fight back inflation for that $60 target. So, great question, Lucas. We've been proud of our ability, you know, to be at that $60 or less, and, and the plan is to keep it there.

Speaker #2: Those that yields obvious productivity benefits, which goes right to that $60 or less cash cost per ton. And yes, we're absolutely we talked earlier about our market share in a growing market where we'll expand volumes.

Speaker #2: And we're expanding more volumes over a fixed cost base, which, of course, contributes to helping us fight back inflation for that $60 target. So great question, Lucas.

Speaker #2: We've been proud of our ability to be at that 60 or less. And the plan is to keep it there.

Speaker #1: Your next question comes from Matthew Dio of Bank of America. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Matthew Dio of Bank of America. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Matthew DeYoe of Bank of America. Please go ahead.

Matthew DeYoe: Morning, everyone. I have two for you. So I wanted to gauge your thoughts on the Trinidad asset, and particularly given the changeover we've seen in Venezuela. I know the Dragon pipeline could have a potential implication on Trinidadian gas supply, but I also don't know, you know, how much stock you wanna put in into something like that. And then on the retail business, if I look on a two-year stack, seed sales are down, like, 7.5%. And maybe this is overly simplistic, but if I were to assume prices in there too, maybe volume's down 10, maybe that's not right. But why do we see two, you know, this kind of headwind on the seed side, specifically for revenues and retail?

Speaker #6: Morning, everyone. I have two for you. So I wanted to gauge your thoughts on the Trinidad asset in particularly given the changeover we've seen in Venezuela I know the dragon pipeline could have a potential implication on Trinidadian gas supply, but I also don't know how much stock you want to put into something like that.

Speaker #6: And then on the retail business, if I look on a two-year stack, seed sales are down like 7.5%. And maybe this is overly simplistic, but if I were to assume prices in there too, maybe volumes down 10, maybe that's not right.

Speaker #6: But why do we see two this kind of headwind on the seed side specifically for revenues and retail?

Speaker #5: Good. Well, I will share a few thoughts on Trinidad and then I'll hand it over to Mark and Chris to provide some thought on seed.

Ken Seitz: Good. Well, I will share a few thoughts on Trinidad, and then I'll hand it over to Mark and Chris to provide some thought on seed. So Trinidad, gas availability, I mean, Matthew, it's a great question. Obviously, a lot of activity in the Caribbean there. But I would also say a lot of uncertainty, and I think that maybe that's an obvious statement. Yeah, I you know, the ability for Trinidad to you know, operate those industrial plants on the coast and certainly supply domestically for energy. And then, you know, LNG as well requires, you know, full gas, full complement of gas, and that has to come from Venezuela.

Speaker #5: So, Trinidad gas availability—I mean, Matthew, it's a great question. Obviously, there's a lot of activity in the Caribbean there, but I would also say a lot of uncertainty.

Speaker #5: And I think that maybe that's an obvious statement. Yeah, the ability for Trinidad to operate those industrial plants on the coast and certainly supply domestically for energy and then LNG as well requires full gas, full complement of gas.

Speaker #5: And that has to come from Venezuela. And as you know, those discussions have been taking place over years now where you sort of unlock what was once sanctioned Venezuelan gas, build a pipeline over to the industrial complex in Trinidad and liberate Venezuelan gas either for LNG or for the industrial complex along the coast there.

Ken Seitz: As you know, those discussions have been taking place over years now, where you know, you sort of unlock what was once sanctioned Venezuelan gas, build a pipeline over to the industrial complex in Trinidad, and liberate Venezuelan gas either for LNG or for the industrial complex along the coast there, and one of those is our plant. You know, I don't have significant confidence for the near to medium term, given you know, that there will be ample gas supply over to the island of Trinidad from Venezuela, and it's just owing to that sort of level of uncertainty as it relates to the region. As we have looked at this, a number of factors at play here. Obviously, our plant has been throttled at 80% because of lack of gas for some period of time.

Speaker #5: And one of those is our plant. I don't have significant confidence for the near to medium term, given that there will be ample gas supply over to the island of Trinidad from Venezuela.

Speaker #5: And it's just owing to that sort of level of uncertainty as it relates to the region. So as we have looked at this, there are a number of factors at play here.

Speaker #5: Obviously, our plant has been throttled at 80% because of lack of gas for some period of time. In addition to that, now we're facing increased costs for the gas.

Ken Seitz: In addition to that, now we're facing increased costs for the gas, and the national gas companies have been very clear that gas prices are going up in an environment where, you know, we really don't make any money off our Trinidad plant. It's 3% of earnings and 1% of cash flow. And so for us, that was and is untenable, and, hence, our plant is shut down. We are working with-- We continue to talk to the Trinidad government about whether there's a path forward here on affordable gas access to port at affordable fees, and one that would allow us to operate at some, albeit slim, margin. In the meantime, we have moved to sort of revised operations, where we're taking care of our idle plant with a core workforce.

Speaker #5: And the National Gas Company has been very clear that gas prices are going up in an environment where we really don't make any money off our Trinidad plant.

Speaker #5: It's 3% of earnings. And 1% of cash flow. And so for us, that was and is untenable. And so our plant is shut down.

Speaker #5: We are working with—we continue to talk to the Trinidad government about whether there's a path forward here on affordable gas access to port at affordable fees.

Speaker #5: And one that would allow us to operate at some albeit slim margin in the meantime, we have moved to sort of revise operations where we're taking care of our idle plant with a core workforce.

Speaker #5: Over the coming months, we will look at the continue to look at these alternatives. And try to seek an arrangement where we can run this plant.

Ken Seitz: Over the coming months, we will continue to look at these alternatives and try to seek an arrangement where we can run this plant, but we'll see. So more to come on that front.

Speaker #5: But we'll see. So, more to come on that front.

Speaker #2: Yeah, good morning, Matthew. It's Mark speaking. So on your second question on retail seed sales, I think there's two primary drivers of that. One of them would be intentional and strategic and within our control.

Mark Thompson: Yeah, good morning, Matthew. It's, it's Mark speaking. So on your second question on retail seed sales, I think there's two primary drivers of that. One of them would be intentional and strategic and within our control, and the second, probably more out of our control and weather-related. So on the, on the first factor, as we've implemented the margin improvement plan that Ken spoke to in Brazil, some of that has involved moving away from lower-margin seed business, managing our expense profile, which, while seed sales have declined, it's made the overall business healthier, as you've seen, and generated significant improvement in Brazil. And that was a very intentional choice to improve the nature of our business operations there.

Speaker #2: And the second probably more out of our control and weather-related. So on the first factor, as we've implemented the margin improvement plan that Ken spoke to in Brazil, some of that has involved moving away from lower margin seed business, managing our expense profile.

Speaker #2: While seed sales have declined, it's made the overall business healthier, as you've seen, and generated significant improvement in Brazil. That was a very intentional choice to improve the nature of our business operations there.

Speaker #2: The second would be the historic weather events that we saw in the US South in the first half of 2025, which really resulted in a complete washout of some of the areas of the Delta.

Mark Thompson: The second would be the historic weather events that we saw in the US South in the first half of 2025, which really resulted in a complete washout of some of the areas of the Delta and other places where we tend to have very high seed share and strong proprietary cotton and rice businesses. And as we spoke about that in the first half of last year, that clearly had an impact on seed sales, and we would expect some of that to reverse this year on that second factor. If we step back from seed, you know, we go back to some of the comments that Ken made this year this morning. Over the past two years, notwithstanding those challenges, we look at the broader retail business; earnings have grown $300 million of EBITDA despite those challenges.

Speaker #2: And other places where we tend to have very high seed share. And strong proprietary cotton and rice businesses. And as we spoke about that in the first half of last year, that clearly had an impact on seed sales.

Speaker #2: And we would expect some of that to reverse this year on that second factor. If we step back from seed, we go back to some of the comments that Ken made this morning. Over the past two years, notwithstanding those challenges, we look at the broader retail business; earnings have grown $300 million of EBITDA despite those challenges.

Speaker #2: And when we look at the broader proprietary business, we grew by about 5% in 2025. And as we've said, we think that business will grow again by high single digits in 2026.

Mark Thompson: When we look at the broader proprietary business, we grew by about 5% in 2025. As we've said, we think that business will grow again by high single digits in 2026. So, again, we think some of the seed sales related to weather will reverse themselves. From a broader retail standpoint, for those items within our control, we continue to drive strong business performance and growth.

Speaker #2: So again, we think some of the seed sales related to weather will reverse themselves. And from a broader retail standpoint, for those items within our control, we continue to drive strong business performance and growth.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from Edlyn Rodriguez of Mizuho. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Edlin Rodriguez of Mizuho. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Edlain Rodriguez of Mizuho. Please go ahead.

Edlain Rodriguez: Good morning, everyone. Thank you. Ken and Mark, I mean, we've seen what happened with phosphate when prices were too high. You know, there was a pullback in demand in Q4. Any concerns that something like that could happen in potash, or is it that potash supply-demand is balanced enough that we are unlikely to see a, a fly-up in prices?

Speaker #6: Good morning, everyone. Thank you. Ken and Mark, I mean, we've seen what happened with phosphate when prices were too high. There was a pullback in demand in 4Q.

Speaker #6: Any concerns that something like that could happen in potash? Or is it that potash supply demand is balanced enough that we are unlikely to see a fly up in prices?

Speaker #5: Yeah, thanks, Edlyn. And yes, I mean, I think you're absolutely right. We saw that in the fourth quarter as it related to phosphate. Indeed, for our phosphate business, we felt that as well.

Ken Seitz: Yeah. Thanks, Edlin. And yes, I mean, I think you're absolutely right. We saw that in the fourth quarter as it related to phosphate. Indeed, you know, for our phosphate business, we felt that as well. We were able to manage through that with our commercial team and, you know, still within our guidance range. But it is true that their farmers pulled back on phosphate. On potash, you know, it continues to be the most affordable crop nutrient, and if we look at the supply and demand balance for 2026, we do see some demand growth, and you can see that as we look to the, you know, our estimate of shipments, 74 to 77 million, you know, up from the midpoint, or, sorry, the numbers from last year, 74 to 75.

Ken Seitz: Yeah. Thanks, Edlain. And yes, I mean, I think you're absolutely right. We saw that in the fourth quarter as it related to phosphate. Indeed, you know, for our phosphate business, we felt that as well. We were able to manage through that with our commercial team and, you know, still within our guidance range. But it is true that their farmers pulled back on phosphate. On potash, you know, it continues to be the most affordable crop nutrient, and if we look at the supply and demand balance for 2026, we do see some demand growth, and you can see that as we look to the, you know, our estimate of shipments, 74 to 77 million, you know, up from the midpoint, or, sorry, the numbers from last year, 74 to 75.

Speaker #5: We were able to manage through that with our commercial team, and we're still within our guidance range. But it is true that farmers pulled back on phosphate.

Speaker #5: On potash, it continues to be the most affordable crop nutrient. And if we look at the supply and demand, balance for 2026, we do see some demand growth.

Speaker #5: And you can see that as we look to the our estimate of shipments, 74% to 77 million up from the midpoint or sorry, the numbers from last year at 74% to 75%.

Speaker #5: So demand growth, but we also see some new tons coming into the market from various places. I mean, some would be our own. But we see some additional tons coming in from FSU countries, maybe a little bit of from Laos.

Ken Seitz: So we-- demand growth, but we also see some new tons coming into the market, from various places. I mean, some would be our own, but, you know, we see some additional tons coming in from FSU countries, maybe a little bit from Laos. Some of that's offset by declines in China and Chile. But we expect that combination of sort of smaller tons from these places, including our own, when we talk about increasing production by 200,000 tons from last year, that we find ourselves in a somewhat balanced market. Let's see, if we get into the higher end of that demand range, what, you know, the supply chains are able to handle.

Speaker #5: Some of that's offset by declines in China and Chile. But we expect that that combination of sort of smaller tons from these places, including our own, when we talk about increasing production by 200,000 tons from last year, that we find ourselves in a somewhat balanced market.

Speaker #5: Let's see. If we get into the higher end of that demand range, what the supply chains are able to handle, we do believe we're getting up to some of those more challenged numbers when you're at the top of the range for supply chains.

Ken Seitz: We do believe we're getting up to some of those more challenged numbers when you're at the top of the range for supply chains and maybe, maybe even for operating rates. But in the meantime, you know, we're experiencing what we'd call a balanced market, and you see that reflected in the price, $375 in Brazil, $348 in China, $375 Southeast Asia, and relatively stable market. So I think it is a different story than the phosphate story.

Speaker #5: And maybe even for operating rates but in the meantime, we're experiencing what we'd call a balanced market. And you see that reflected in the price 375 in Brazil, 348 in China, 375 Southeast Asia.

Speaker #5: And a relatively stable market. So, I think it is a different story than the phosphate story.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from Kristen Owen of Oppenheimer. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Kristen Owen of Oppenheimer. Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Hi, good morning. Thank you for the question. I wanted to come back to the topic of your Brazil retail channel. And just sort of ask you with the long-term strategic value, is there just given some of the previously discussed market challenges and I think Ken you've alluded that that business doesn't meet your internal hurdle rates?

Kristen Owen: Hi, good morning. Thank you for the question. Wanted to come back to the topic of your Brazil retail channel, and just sort of ask you what the long-term strategic value is there, just given some of the previously discussed market challenges. And, you know, I think, Ken, you've alluded that that business doesn't meet your internal hurdle rates. So is there some action that you could take to further narrow the gap versus your initial 2024 Investor Day guidance, or, you know, maybe even recast those targets ex-Brazil, so we can understand what that standalone business looks like?

Speaker #4: So is there some action that you could take to further narrow the gap versus your initial 2024 Investor Day guidance? Or maybe even recast those targets ex-Brazil, so we can understand what that standalone business looks like?

Speaker #5: Yeah, thank you, Kristen. And I would say that given that Brazil's really not contributing anything in terms of earnings or cash, that the retail number is one ex-Brazil.

Ken Seitz: Yeah. Thank you, Kristen. And I would say that, given that, Brazil is really not contributing anything in terms of earnings or cash, that, you know, the retail number is, is one ex-Brazil. But at the same time, yeah, I take your point about our future there and, and, whether everything we're doing in Brazil makes sense for us. And so that's, you know, again, the work of, of 2026. We've been pleased with our Brazil improvement plan. We've talked about that, and that met expectations for last year, it certainly did. It's a lot of heavy lifting, but, but we got there. And, you know, we're on a similar path in 2026, but we are reviewing, our seeds business and whether, you know, that's appropriate, that that's, within Nutrien or maybe better off in someone else's hands.

Speaker #5: But at the same time, yeah, I take your point about our future there. And whether everything we're doing in Brazil makes sense for us.

Speaker #5: And so, that's, again, the work of 2026. We've been pleased with our Brazil improvement plan—we've talked about that—and that met expectations for last year.

Speaker #5: It certainly did. There's a lot of heavy lifting, but we got there. And we're on a similar path in 2026. But we are reviewing our seeds business and whether that's appropriate.

Speaker #5: That's within Nutrien, or maybe better off in someone else's hands. We do have conclusions on our proprietary product business and AgriCent down there, where we do see opportunity to grow.

Ken Seitz: We do have conclusions on our proprietary product business in Agrison down there, where we do see opportunity to grow, and it is certainly synergistic with everything we're doing, everything else we're doing with Loveland Products. And, you know, we can sell those products on shelves all over Brazil, not just necessarily our own. We know that we will be a large supplier of potash into Brazil and a growing supplier, and that that will continue. That leaves really the retail business, and, yeah, we're struggling with, you know, how to think about our retail presence in Brazil. Whether that business can meet our financial thresholds that we expect when we deploy capital, whether there's better places to deploy capital, and if we come to that conclusion, you know, what we might do with those retail assets.

Speaker #5: And it is certainly synergistic with everything we're doing, everything else we're doing with Loveland products. And we can sell those products on shelves all over Brazil, not just necessarily our own.

Speaker #5: We know that we will be a large supplier of potash into Brazil and a growing supplier, and that will continue. That leaves really the retail business.

Speaker #5: And yeah, we're struggling with how to think about our retail presence in Brazil, whether that business can meet our financial thresholds that we expect when we deploy capital.

Speaker #5: Whether there's better places to deploy capital? And if we come to that conclusion, what we might do with those retail assets. That's the work underway at the moment.

Ken Seitz: That's the work underway at the moment, and we'll have more to talk about that through 2026, and certainly some conclusions on those answers in 2026.

Speaker #5: And we'll have more to talk about that through 2026. And certainly some conclusions on those answers in 2026.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from Duffy Fisher of Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Duffy Fisher of Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Yeah, good morning, guys. Just a question around your US retail business. Investors have quite a lot of concern about the increase in Chinese generics and ag chem we've seen a lot of pressure in Asia and Latin America so far.

Duffy Fisher: Yeah, good morning, guys. Just a question around your US retail business. Investors have quite a lot of concern about the increase in Chinese generics and ag chem. We've seen a lot of pressure in Asia and Latin America so far. Do you see them trying to come direct in the US, trying to get labels? One, and then two, if they're not doing that, do you see them just kind of putting more pressure with lower price generics running through the retail chain here, but kind of dragging down ag chem? Is there a structural change happening there in your view?

Duffy Fischer: Yeah, good morning, guys. Just a question around your US retail business. Investors have quite a lot of concern about the increase in Chinese generics and ag chem. We've seen a lot of pressure in Asia and Latin America so far. Do you see them trying to come direct in the US, trying to get labels? One, and then two, if they're not doing that, do you see them just kind of putting more pressure with lower price generics running through the retail chain here, but kind of dragging down ag chem? Is there a structural change happening there in your view?

Speaker #4: Do you see them trying to come direct in the U.S., trying to get labels? One, and then two, if they're not doing that, do you see them just kind of putting more pressure with lower-priced generics running through the retail chain here, but kind of dragging down ag chem?

Speaker #4: Is there a structural change happening there, in your view?

Speaker #5: Yeah, thank you, Duffy. And yes, we do see some generic pressure, not the likes of what we see in some other parts of the world like Brazil.

Ken Seitz: Yeah. Thank you, Duffy. And yes, we do see some generic pressure, not, not the likes of what we see in some other parts of the world, like Brazil, but we do see some. But I'll hand it over to Chris.

Speaker #5: But we do see some. But I'll hand it over to Chris.

Speaker #6: Yeah, good morning, man. Thanks for the question. And as Ken said, we are seeing a little bit of that into the market today, some of that direct-to-grow model.

Chris Reynolds: Yeah, good morning, Ben. Thanks for the question. And as Ken said, we are seeing a little bit of that into the market today, some of that direct-to-grower model. But, you know, what we really like there as we think about the future is, again, our proprietary products range. And like the, as I said, the introduction of 26 new products this year, we've got a pipeline there we're gonna continue to develop going forward with our current supply partners. And so we like our position. We like the breadth of our network. We like the relationship we have with our growers as we continue to move those products. And so we don't see that sort of direct model today as a significant threat, and we really like the position we have with our proprietary product range.

Speaker #6: But what we really like there, as we think about the future, is again, our proprietary products range. And like the, as I said, the introduction of 26 new products this year, we've got a pipeline there.

Speaker #6: We're going to continue to develop going forward with our current supply partners. And so we like our position. We like the breadth of our network.

Speaker #6: We like the relationship we have with our growers, as we continue to move those products. And so, we don't see that sort of direct model today as a significant threat.

Speaker #6: And we really like the position we have with our proprietary product range.

Speaker #3: Your next question is from Ben Toyer of Barclays. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question is from Ben Theurer of Barclays. Please go ahead.

Ben Theurer: Yeah, good morning, thanks for taking my question. Wanted to follow up on broader capital allocation and, specifically on the share buyback. So over the last two years, you bought back 5% of shares outstanding, and you're basically saying now you could do up to 5% this year, which seems to be a decent increase. What are like... What would- what were internally, like, the alternatives, like, okay, raising maybe the dividend more or going, more towards the share buyback? What, what were, like, the thought processes behind, particularly where the stock price is right now? Thank you.

Speaker #6: Yeah, good morning. Thanks for taking my question. I wanted to follow up on broader capital allocation and specifically on the share buyback. So over the last two years, you bought back 5% of shares outstanding.

Speaker #6: And you've basically saying now you could do up to 5% this year, which seems to be a decent increase. What are internally the alternatives looking at raising maybe the dividend more or going more towards the share buyback?

Speaker #6: What were the thought processes behind, particularly where the stock price is right now? Thank you.

Speaker #7: Yeah, thank you, Ben. Yeah, so we did renew the NCIB; the Board approved that yesterday at a level of 5%. Last year, we were buying back our stock at a rate of about $50 million a month.

Ken Seitz: Yeah. Thank you, Ben. Yeah, so we, we did renew the NCIB, the board approved that yesterday at a, at a level of 5%. You know, last year, we were buying back our stock at a rate of about $50 million a month, and here in 2026, it's probably, you know, depending on how the year unfolds, but I think it's probably a good number to use for 2026, as we watch the year unfold. You know, how we think about the buying back, you know, return of cash to shareholders via the buyback versus the dividend, you know, we continue to use the word stable and growing on the dividend, but of course, buying back our stock actually has allowed us to, in, in, in total all the trends along, as to buy down the dividend.

Speaker #7: And here in 2026, depending on how the year unfolds—but I think it's probably a good number to use for 2026 as we watch the year unfold.

Speaker #7: How we think about the buying back, return of cash to shareholders via the buyback versus the dividend, we continue to use the word stable and growing on the dividend.

Speaker #7: But of course, buying back our stock actually has allowed us to, in total dollar trends, allow us to buy down the dividend. But Mark, maybe you want to provide some additional color there.

Ken Seitz: But Mark, maybe you wanna say, provide some additional color there.

Speaker #6: Sure. Good morning, Ben. So yeah, I'll just add a few points to what Ken mentioned. I think first and foremost, and most importantly, our approach to capital allocation in 2026 will be entirely consistent with what shareholders have seen from us in 2025.

Mark Thompson: Sure. Good morning, Ben. So, yeah, I'll just add a few points to what Ken mentioned. I think first and foremost, and most importantly, our approach to capital allocation in 2026 will be entirely consistent with what shareholders have seen from us in 2025. So if we go through the high-level components of our capital allocation stack, we'll have total CapEx once again of $2 to 2.1 billion. That'll be comprised of roughly $1.65 billion of sustaining CapEx and roughly $400 million of investments and growth CapEx. Capital leases, we expect to be consistent at about half a billion. You know, as Ken said, keeping dividend expense roughly stable at about $1 billion, and that leaves share repurchases.

Speaker #6: So if we go through the high-level components of our capital allocation stack, we'll have total capex once again of 2 to 2.1 billion. That'll be comprised of roughly 1.65 billion of sustaining capex and roughly 400 million of investments and growth capex.

Speaker #6: Capital leases, we expect to be consistent at about a half a billion. As Ken said, keeping dividend expense roughly stable at about a billion dollars.

Speaker #6: And that leaves share repurchases. And so a real focus for us since the latter part of 2024 has been introducing rate ability in that share repurchase program.

Mark Thompson: A real focus for us, since the latter part of 2024, has been introducing ratability in that share repurchase program. As Ken said, the 5% authorization is really just our authorization to be in the market. Last year, we bought back about 2% of the stock, and when we look at our run rates so far in 2026, we've been doing about $50 million a month in repurchases. We think that level of ratability makes sense for us. So those would be the major capital allocation priorities.

Speaker #6: And as Ken said, the 5% authorization is really just our authorization to be in the market. Last year, we bought back about 2% of the stock.

Speaker #6: And when we look at our run rates so far in 2026, we've been doing about 50 million dollars a month in repurchases. And we think that level of rate ability makes sense for us.

Speaker #6: So those would be the major capital allocation priorities. I think it's worth noting that this is all anchored by a very strong balance sheet.

Mark Thompson: I think it's worth noting that, this is all anchored by a very strong balance sheet, and through strong performance and asset sales in 2025, we were able to tune up the balance sheet and, put ourselves in an even stronger position by paying down over $600 million in debt. So we feel good about where that sits right now, and that will support our ability to make good on these capital allocation priorities, all through the cycle and all types of market environments. So I'd say the punchline here is just continue to expect from us what you've seen from us so far over the last year.

Speaker #6: And through strong performance in asset sales in 2025, we were able to tune up the balance sheet and put ourselves in an even stronger position by paying down over $600 million in debt.

Speaker #6: So, we feel good about where that sits right now. And that will support our ability to make good on these capital allocation priorities—all through the cycle and all types of market environments.

Speaker #6: So, I'd say the punchline here is: just continue to expect from us what you've seen from us so far over the last year.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from Jeff Zakoskis of JPMorgan. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Jeff Zikosky of JP Morgan. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Jeff Zekauskas of JP Morgan. Please go ahead.

Jeff Zekauskas: Thanks very much. It looks like your inventories were, I don't know, $500 million higher in Q4 than you wanted them to be. What is it that happened at the end of the year that led to that inventory build? And are there implications for Q1?

Speaker #7: Thanks very much. It looks like your inventories were, I don't know, $500 million higher in the fourth quarter than you wanted them to be.

Speaker #7: What is it that happened at the end of the year that led to that inventory build? And are there implications for the first quarter?

Speaker #6: Yeah, the big one with Jeff would be weather. And so farmers just weren't able to get out and put down a normal fall application season.

Ken Seitz: Yeah, you know, the big one with Jeff would be weather. And so, you know, farmers just weren't able to get out, and, you know, put down a normal fall application season. So it wasn't normal, and, and, as a result, those inventories, working capital, carried through into 2026. So that'd be one. Two is proprietary products. We held some proprietary product inventory that is still on the books that, you know, again, we expect in 2026 that we'll release those products, and, and that will be released working capital. Those would be the big ones.

Speaker #6: So it wasn't normal. And as a result, that those inventories working capital carried through into 2026. So that'd be one. Two is proprietary products.

Speaker #6: We held some proprietary product inventory that is still on the books that again, we expect in 2026 that we'll release those products. And that will be released working capital those would be the big ones.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from Mike Sisson of Wells Fargo. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Mike Sisson of Wells Fargo. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Mike Sison of Wells Fargo. Please go ahead.

Speaker #8: Hey, good morning. Just curious, I appreciate the EBITDA sensitivities for potash and nitrogen. Feels like the base case is somewhere in the middle of those charts.

Mike Sison: Hey, good morning. Just curious, I appreciate the EBITDA sensitivities for potash and nitrogen. Feels like the base case is somewhere in the middle of those charts, but is that, is that the case? And then, you know, what sort of gets you, since you're given the wider range, what do you think drives it to the higher end of those charts and to the lower end of the charts this year, if at all? Thank you.

Speaker #8: But is that the case? And then what sort of gets you since you've given the wider range, what do you think drives it to the higher end of those charts and to the lower end of those charts this year, if at all?

Speaker #8: Thank you.

Speaker #6: Yeah, I mean, as we look at our guidance ranges, when we talk about volume, on potash, it really is good weather leads to strong demand.

Ken Seitz: Yeah, I mean, as we look at our guidance ranges, you know, when we talk about volume, on potash, it really is good weather, you know, leads to strong demand in the regions that we serve, and out goes more crop nutrients. The lower end of that range would be the opposite of that. Would be challenged weather and inability to get out on the land. That's on the volume side. On the price side of potash, it's the classic supply and demand discussion, and we just talked about 74 to 77 million tons.

Speaker #6: In the regions that we serve, an outgoes more crop nutrients. And the lower end of that range would be the opposite of that, which would be challenged weather.

Speaker #6: And inability to get out of the land. So that's on the volume side. On the price side of potash, it's the classic supply and demand discussion.

Speaker #6: And we just talked about 74 to 77 million tons—if you get into the higher end of that range, that's what puts pressure on supply chain and operating rates.

Ken Seitz: Whether if you get into the top, higher end of that range, that's what puts pressure on supply chain and operating rates and whether the market can actually supply those volumes, which, of course, would put pressure on price and hence, again, be at the top of that range. If you go over to nitrogen, for us, it's at our plants, it's operating rates. So higher operating rates, higher volumes, and lower operating rates, lower volumes. It's true that we have three turnarounds this year, which we're going to be executing. That's a heavy turnaround year for us. And so when we talk about operating rates, it requires, you know, a strong execution across those turnarounds.

Speaker #6: And whether the market can actually supply those volumes, which of course would put pressure on price. And hence, again, be at the top of that range.

Speaker #6: If you go over to nitrogen for us, it's at our plants. It's operating rates. So higher operating rates, higher volumes. And lower operating rates, lower volumes.

Speaker #6: It's true that we have three turnarounds this year, which we're going to be executing. That's a heavy turnaround year for us. And so when we talk about operating rates, it requires a strong execution across those turnarounds.

Ken Seitz: We planned well for those so that we expect we will have operating rates that would be analogous to what we saw last year, which is very strong. So that's on the volume side of nitrogen. If pricing, you go over to urea, you've got strong Indian demand, strong demand across the table, actually, but you also have some supply uncertainty, particularly as it relates to what's happening in Iran and that geopolitical uncertainty. So, you know, urea prices are tight at the moment, given those supply and demand dynamics, and we see a world where that could persist for a bit longer here in 2026. On ammonia, seasonally, you know, lower volume in ammonia right now. We've had some production come back online. Gulf Coast, although, you know, going for a planned shutdown...

Speaker #6: We planned well for those, so we expect we will have operating rates that would be analogous to what we saw last year, which was very strong.

Speaker #6: So that's on the volume side of nitrogen. If pricing, you go over to urea, you've got strong Indian demand. Strong demand across the table, actually.

Speaker #6: But you also have some supply uncertainty particularly as it relates to what's happening in Iran. And that geopolitical uncertainty. So urea prices are tight at the moment, given those supply and demand dynamics.

Speaker #6: And we see a world where that could persist for a bit longer here in 2026. On ammonia, seasonally, lower volume in ammonia right now.

Speaker #6: We've had some production come back online Gulf Coast although going for a planned shutdown. So on ammonia, yeah, seasonal ammonia have prices have been strong, but with some seasonal weakness, we see ammonia prices weakening a little bit.

Ken Seitz: So ammonia, yeah, seasonal, ammonia prices have been strong, but with some seasonal weakness, we see ammonia prices weakening a little bit. But over the course of 2026, yes, you're looking at the right bar, the right charts, and as volume and price, we think we're – we would say we're constructive across the board.

Speaker #6: But over the course of 2020, yes, you're looking at the right bar, the right charts. And as volume and price, we think we're we would say we're constructive across the board.

Speaker #3: Your next question comes from Dave Simmons of BNP Paribas. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Dave Simmons of BNP Paribas. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question comes from Dave Simons of BNP Paribas. Please go ahead.

Speaker #7: Hey, yeah, just a bit of a conceptual one. I noticed that LNG Canada is ramping up. Are you expecting any impact on ACO gas prices from that?

Dave Simons: Yeah, just a bit of a conceptual one. I noticed that LNG Canada is ramping up. Are you expecting any impact on AECO gas prices from that? And is there anything you can do to mitigate the impact? Thanks.

Speaker #7: And is there anything you can do to mitigate the impact? Thanks.

Ken Seitz: You know, with the shift of Trinidad coming down, we're enjoying now 50% of our fleet being exposed to AECO gas and 50% of our fleet being exposed to Henry Hub. With Trinidad running, it was about 20%, you know, Trinidad, which is indexed to Tampa Ammonia, and the other 80% divided between Henry Hub and AECO. The effect of Trinidad coming down and now just being exposed to North American natural gas has been to reduce sort of our effective gas price quite dramatically. So we like, you know, given that North America continues to be structurally advantaged on gas costs, compared to places like Europe, we really, really like where our high-quality assets are sitting and running at the moment.

Speaker #6: We with the shift of Trinidad calming down, we were enjoying now 50% of our fleet being exposed to ACO gas. And 50% of our fleet being exposed to Henry Hub.

Speaker #6: With Trinidad running, it was about 20% Trinidad, which is indexed to Tampa ammonia. And the other 80% divided between Henry Hub and ACO. The effect of Trinidad calming down and now just being exposed to North American natural gas has been to reduce sort of our effective gas price quite dramatically.

Speaker #6: So we like given that North America continues to be structurally advantaged on gas costs, compared to places like Europe, we really, really like where our high-quality assets are sitting and running at the moment.

Ken Seitz: You know, as it relates to LNG and LNG Canada, we've talked about sort of the flattening world as it relates to natural gas pricing and LNG moving over the planet and what that means for that structural advantage in North America. We believe that the North American structural advantage persists, mostly because there are almost infinite volumes sitting on the continent in a very, very cost-effective way to extract those. So we believe that there is that structural delta that persists. LNG Canada or other LNG, yeah, might work to flatten that, but we're very pleased with the sort of structural advantage we have.

Speaker #6: As it relates to LNG and LNG Canada, we've talked about the flattening world as it relates to natural gas pricing, and LNG moving over the planet and what that means for that structural advantage in North America.

Speaker #6: We believe that the North American structural advantage persists. Mostly because there are almost infinite volumes sitting on the continent in a very, very cost-effective way to extract those.

Speaker #6: So, we believe that there is that structural delta that persists. LNG Canada, or other LNG, yeah, might work to flatten that. But we're very pleased with sort of the structural advantage we have.

Speaker #3: There are no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back to Jeff Holzman for closing remarks.

Operator: There are no further questions at this time. I will now turn the call back to Jeff Holzman for closing remarks.

Speaker #1: Okay, thank you for joining us, the Investor Relations team is available if you have follow-up questions. Have a great day.

Jeff Holzman: Okay. Thank you for joining us. The investor relations team is available if you have follow-up questions. Have a great day.

Operator: Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. This concludes today's conference call. Thank you for your participation, and you may now disconnect.

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