10-KPeriod: FY2023

Archer-Daniels-Midland Co Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2023

Filed March 12, 2024For Securities:ADM

Summary

Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) reported its 2023 full-year results, showcasing resilience across its diverse agribusiness segments despite a challenging market environment. The company's strategic focus on Productivity, Innovation, and Culture continues to guide its operations, aiming to optimize costs, drive growth through sustainable solutions, and foster an agile organization. While facing headwinds such as softer demand in certain consumer-facing nutrition categories and inflationary pressures, ADM demonstrated strong performance in its Ag Services and Oilseeds segment, particularly driven by record soybean production in Brazil and demand for sustainable biofuels. The company is actively managing its operational and financial risks, including navigating geopolitical uncertainties and implementing strategies to mitigate the impact of climate change. ADM is also addressing a previously disclosed internal investigation into certain accounting practices related to intersegment sales. While this investigation has led to the identification of a material weakness in internal controls and government inquiries, the company is cooperating fully and implementing remediation plans. The impact of these adjustments on consolidated financial statements was deemed immaterial, but segment-specific financial information has been revised. Looking ahead, ADM remains committed to its sustainability goals and innovation pipeline, investing in new technologies and partnerships to deliver value for its stakeholders. The company's strong liquidity position and ongoing share repurchase program underscore its financial health and commitment to returning capital to shareholders, even as it navigates regulatory scrutiny and market dynamics.

Financial Statements
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Key Highlights

  • 1ADM reported full-year 2023 revenues of $93.9 billion, a decrease from $101.6 billion in 2022, primarily due to lower sales prices across its segments, partially offset by higher sales volumes in some areas.
  • 2Segment operating profit decreased to $5.9 billion in 2023 from $6.5 billion in 2022, impacted by lower results in Crushing, Wilmar, Nutrition, and Ag Services, partially offset by higher results in Refined Products and Other.
  • 3The Ag Services and Oilseeds segment, while seeing an overall revenue decrease, benefited from strong global demand driven by sustainable biofuel demand and record soybean production in Brazil.
  • 4The Nutrition segment experienced softer demand and lower results, particularly in Human Nutrition, impacted by inflation and destocking, and in Animal Nutrition due to weak market conditions and competitive pressures.
  • 5The company identified a material weakness in internal controls related to accounting practices and procedures for intersegment sales, leading to revisions in segment-specific historical financial information, although consolidated statements were not materially impacted.
  • 6ADM is cooperating with ongoing SEC and DOJ investigations related to these accounting practices and has placed its CFO on administrative leave.
  • 7The company continues to invest in sustainability, with its regenerative agriculture program aiming to enroll four million acres globally by 2025, and is focused on reducing its carbon footprint through various initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

ADM reported total revenues of $93.9 billion for 2023, down from $101.6 billion in 2022, mainly due to lower sales prices. Segment operating profit also decreased to $5.9 billion from $6.5 billion in the prior year, influenced by varied performance across its segments, with Ag Services and Oilseeds showing resilience despite overall revenue declines in the segment.

ADM identified a material weakness in internal controls concerning intersegment sales accounting, which prompted an internal investigation and has led to revisions in segment-specific historical financial data. The company is cooperating with the SEC and DOJ regarding these matters. While consolidated financial statements were not materially affected, the company is implementing remediation plans to strengthen internal controls.

The Ag Services and Oilseeds segment saw revenue decline but benefited from strong biofuel demand and record Brazilian soybean production. Carbohydrate Solutions reported solid demand for starches and sweeteners but experienced a decrease in overall segment revenue. The Nutrition segment faced softer demand, particularly in Human Nutrition due to inflation, and weak market conditions in Animal Nutrition, leading to lower operating profit for both.

ADM's strategy centers on Productivity, Innovation, and Culture. The company continues to invest in sustainability, including its regenerative agriculture program targeting four million acres by 2025 and efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Innovation is focused on expanding its portfolio of plant-based and health-focused solutions.