AGCO Reports Record Third Quarter Results

AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE: AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and solutions, reported its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022. Net sales for the third quarter were approximately $3.1 billion, an increase of approximately 14.5% compared to the third quarter of 2021. Excluding unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately 11.8%, net sales in the quarter increased approximately 26.3% compared to the third quarter of 2021. Reported net income was $3.18 per share for the third quarter of 2022, and adjusted net income ⁽³⁾ , which excludes restructuring expenses, was also $3.18 per share. These results compare to reported net income of $2.40 per share and adjusted net income, which excludes restructuring expenses, of $2.41 per share for the third quarter of 2021.

“We delivered record third quarter sales and earnings driven through the consistent execution of our farmer-first strategy, coupled with continued robust market conditions in many of our regions,” stated Eric Hansotia, AGCO’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Our solid operational performance and continued strong pricing overcame ongoing supply chain challenges, inflationary pressures and significant currency headwinds. Healthy farm fundamentals are supporting order boards that now stretch well into 2023 in some regions. The success of our farmer-first strategy, focused on growing our precision ag business, globalizing a full-line of our Fendt branded products and expanding our parts and service business, is generating strong growth in these margin-rich businesses.”

Mr. Hansotia continued, “Global market conditions remain positive as favorable farm economics are allowing farmers to upgrade and replace their aging fleets. At the same time, our smart technology product lines are in strong demand and are helping to drive meaningful productivity improvements for our customers through both retrofitting their current equipment and in our new product offerings. We will continue to accelerate investments in premium technology, smart farming solutions and enhanced digital capabilities to support our farmer-first strategy while helping to sustainably feed the world.”

Third Quarter Highlights

• Reported regional sales results ⁽¹⁾ : Europe/Middle East (“EME”) (4.9)%, North America +42.6%, South America +49.0%, Asia/Pacific/Africa (“APA”) 3.8%
• Constant currency regional sales results ^(1)(2)(3) : EME +14.6%, North America +43.5%, South America +49.7%, APA +14.7%
• Regional operating margin performance: EME 10.2%, North America 12.4%, South America 18.8%, APA 13.2%

Net sales for the first nine months of 2022 were approximately $8.8 billion, an increase of approximately 9.6% compared to the same period in 2021. Excluding unfavorable foreign currency translation of approximately 8.2%, net sales for the first nine months of 2022 increased approximately 17.9% compared to the same period in 2021. For the first nine months of 2022, reported net income was $7.58 per share, and adjusted net income ⁽³⁾ , excluding impairment charges, restructuring expenses and other related items, was $7.95 per share. These results compare to reported net income of $8.11 per share, and adjusted net income, excluding restructuring expenses and the reversal of a valuation allowance previously established against the Company’s deferred tax assets in the United States, of $7.30 per share for the first nine months of 2021.

Market Update

“Healthy farm income is projected across most of the major agricultural production regions with elevated crop prices offsetting higher fuel, fertilizer and other input costs,” stated Mr. Hansotia. “Despite ongoing supply chain disruptions, favorable farm economics are expected to generate strong demand across all the major global markets well into 2023.”

Global industry production and retail sales were down modestly in the first nine months of 2022 compared to last year’s elevated levels due primarily to supply chain limitations. Industry retail sales for tractors in North America were down approximately 6% in the first nine months of 2022 compared to last year. The decline was driven by weaker sales in smaller tractors partially offset by improved sales of high horsepower tractors, which increased approximately 8% in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021.

In Western Europe, industry retail tractor sales decreased approximately 10% in the first nine months of 2022 compared to strong levels in the same period of 2021. Farmer sentiment in the region has been negatively impacted by the conflict in Ukraine, looming energy concerns, and higher input cost inflation. Forecasts for healthy farm income in Western Europe are expected to support relatively flat retail demand for equipment in the fourth quarter of 2022.

South American industry retail sales increased during the first nine months of 2022 in both Brazil and Argentina compared to 2021 levels. Healthy farm income, supportive exchange rates and continued expansion in planted acreage are driving increased investments in high tech farm equipment.

“Disruptions in the global supply chain are continuing to limit industry production; however, we continue to expect strong demand in the fourth quarter to support full year 2022 industry retail sales above 2021 levels in South America, relatively flat sales in North America and modestly lower sales in Western Europe,” continued Mr. Hansotia.

Regional Results

AGCO Regional Net Sales (in millions)

North America

Net sales in the North American region grew 19.1% in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period of 2021, excluding the negative impact of currency translation. The increase resulted primarily from increased sales of tractors and precision planting equipment along with the effects of pricing to mitigate inflationary cost pressures. Income from operations for the third quarter of 2022 was approximately $76.9 million higher compared to the same period in 2021, which drove an increase in income from operations for the first nine months of 2022 by approximately $3.8 million compared to 2021. Operating income benefited from higher sales and production, but was mostly offset by material and logistics cost inflation, higher production costs and increased operating expenses.

South America

South American net sales increased 56.1% in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period of 2021, excluding the impact of favorable currency translation. Sales grew strongly across all markets, driven by robust industry demand and favorable pricing impacts. Income from operations in the first nine months of 2022 increased by approximately $155.4 million compared to the same period in 2021, and operating margins reached approximately 16.5%. The improved South America results reflect the benefit of higher sales and production, pricing in excess of material cost inflation and a favorable sales mix.

Europe/Middle East

Europe/Middle East net sales increased 10.6% in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, excluding unfavorable currency translation. The improvement was driven by higher sales of tractors and replacement parts along with favorable pricing actions. Strong growth in France, Turkey, Central Europe and Scandinavia accounted for most of the increase. Income from operations decreased approximately $72.5 million in the first nine months of 2022, compared to the same period in 2021. The decline was the result of foreign currency translation, a weaker sales mix and higher production costs.

Asia/Pacific/Africa

Net sales in Asia/Pacific/Africa increased 11.0%, excluding the negative impact of currency translation, in the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. Higher sales in Australia and Africa were partially offset by lower sales in China. Income from operations improved by approximately $21.5 million in the first nine months of 2022 and operating margins expanded by approximately 2.7% compared to the same period in 2021 due to higher sales and a richer sales mix.

Outlook

The ability of the Company’s supply chain to deliver parts and components on schedule remains difficult to predict. The following outlook is based on AGCO’s current estimates of component deliveries. AGCO’s results will be impacted if the actual supply chain delivery performance differs from these estimates.

• Net sales for 2022 ranging from $12.5 to $12.6 billion
• Gross and operating margins are projected to improve from 2021 levels, reflecting the impact of higher sales and production volumes as well as favorable pricing to offset material and labor cost inflation
• Increased investments in engineering and other technology investments to support AGCO’s precision ag and digital initiatives
• Full year adjusted earnings per share of $11.70 to $11.90

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AGCO will host a conference call with respect to this earnings announcement at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. The Company will refer to slides on its conference call. Interested persons can access the conference call and slide presentation via AGCO’s website at www.agcocorp.com in the “Events” section on the “Company/Investors” page of our website. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the conference call for twelve months following the call. A copy of this press release will be available on AGCO’s website for at least twelve months following the call.

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Safe Harbor Statement

Statements that are not historical facts, including the projections of earnings per share, production levels, sales, industry demand, market conditions, commodity prices, currency translation, farm income levels, margin levels, strategy, investments in product and technology development, new product introductions, restructuring and other cost reduction initiatives, production volumes, tax rates and general economic conditions, are forward-looking and subject to risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the statements. The following are among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in or implied by the forward-looking statements.

• COVID-19 has negatively impacted our business, initially through closures, higher absentee rates, and reduced production at both our plants and the plants that supply us with parts and components, and more recently through supply chain challenges, including the inability of some of our suppliers to meet demand and logistics and transportation-related companies to deliver products in a timely manner. In addition, we have had to incur various costs related to preventing the spread of COVID-19, including changes to our factories and other facilities and those related to enabling remote work. We expect COVID-19 to continue to impact our business, although the manner and extent to which it impacts us will depend on future developments, including the duration of the pandemic, the timing, distribution and impact of vaccinations, and possible mutations of the virus that are more contagious or resistant to current vaccines. Measures taken by governments around the world, as well as businesses, including us, and the general public in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 will impact our business as well. These measures have included travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, shelter in place orders, curfews, business and government office closures, increased border controls or closures, port closures and transportation restrictions. The impacts of COVID-19 and such measures could include decreases in demand for our products, factory closures, increased absentee rates, reduced production, incurrence of additional costs due to the adherence to cleaning requirements and social distancing guidelines and increased costs of labor, parts and components and shipping, incurrence of impairment charges, slower collections and larger write-offs of accounts receivable, among other changes.
• We cannot predict or control the impact of the conflict in Ukraine on our business. Already it has resulted in reduced sales in Ukraine as farmers have experienced economic distress, difficulties in harvesting and delivering their products, as well as general uncertainty. There is a potential for natural gas shortages, as well as shortages in other energy sources, throughout Europe, which could negatively impact our production in Europe both directly and through interrupting the supply of parts and components that we use. It is unclear how long these conditions will continue, or whether they will worsen, and what the ultimate impact on our business will be.
• Our financial results depend entirely upon the agricultural industry, and factors that adversely affect the agricultural industry generally, including declines in the general economy, adverse weather, tariffs, increases in farm input costs, lower commodity prices, lower farm income and changes in the availability of credit for our retail customers, will adversely affect us.
• A majority of our sales and manufacturing takes place outside the United States, and, many of our sales involve products that are manufactured in one country and sold in a different country, and as a result, we are exposed to risks related to foreign laws, taxes and tariffs, trade restrictions, economic conditions, labor supply and relations, political conditions and governmental policies. These risks may delay or reduce our realization of value from our international operations. Among these risks are the uncertain consequences of Brexit, the conflict in Ukraine, Russian sanctions and tariffs imposed on exports to and imports from China.
• Most retail sales of the products that we manufacture are financed, either by our joint ventures with Rabobank or by a bank or other private lender. Our joint ventures with Rabobank, which are controlled by Rabobank and are dependent upon Rabobank for financing as well, finance approximately 50% of the retail sales of our tractors and combines in the markets where the joint ventures operate. Any difficulty by Rabobank to continue to provide that financing, or any business decision by Rabobank as the controlling member not to fund the business or particular aspects of it (for example, a particular country or region), would require the joint ventures to find other sources of financing (which may be difficult to obtain), or us to find another source of retail financing for our customers, or our customers would be required to utilize other retail financing providers. As a result of the recent economic downturn, financing for capital equipment purchases generally has become more difficult in certain regions and in some cases, can be expensive to obtain. To the extent that financing is not available or available only at unattractive prices, our sales would be negatively impacted.
• Both AGCO and our finance joint ventures have substantial accounts receivable from dealers and end customers, and we would be adversely impacted if the collectability of these receivables was less than optimal; this collectability is dependent upon the financial strength of the farm industry, which in turn is dependent upon the general economy and commodity prices, as well as several of the other factors listed in this section.
• We have experienced substantial and sustained volatility with respect to currency exchange rate and interest rate changes, which can adversely affect our reported results of operations and the competitiveness of our products.
• Our success depends on the introduction of new products, particularly engines that comply with emission requirements and sustainable smart farming technology, which require substantial expenditures; there is no certainty that we can develop the necessary technology or that the technology that we develop will be attractive to farmers or available at competitive prices.
• Our expansion plans in emerging markets, including establishing a greater manufacturing and marketing presence and growing our use of component suppliers, could entail significant risks.
• Our business increasingly is subject to regulations relating to privacy and data protection, and if we violate any of those regulations, or otherwise are the victim of a cyberattack, we could be subject to significant claims, penalties and damages.
• Attacks through ransomware and other means are rapidly increasing, and in May 2022 we learned that we had been the victim of a cyberattack. We continue to review and improve our safeguards to minimize our exposure to future attacks. However, there always will be the potential of the risk that a cyberattack will be successful and will disrupt our business, either through shutting down our operations, destroying data, exfiltrating data or otherwise.
• We depend on suppliers for components, parts and raw materials for our products, and any failure by our suppliers to provide products as needed, or by us to promptly address supplier issues, will adversely impact our ability to timely and efficiently manufacture and sell products. Recently suppliers of several key parts and components have not been able to meet our demand and we have had to decrease our production levels. In addition, the potential of natural gas shortages in Europe, as well as predicted overall shortages in other energy sources, could also negatively impact our production and that of our supply chain in the future. It is unclear when these supply chain disruptions will be restored or what the ultimate impact on production, and consequently sales, will be.
• Although as a general proposition our business has not experienced significant inflation in many years, beginning in the second half of 2021 we experienced significant inflation in a range of costs, including for parts and components, shipping, and energy. While we have been able to pass along most of those costs through increased prices, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so. If we are not, it will adversely impact our performance.
• We face significant competition, and if we are unable to compete successfully against other agricultural equipment manufacturers, we would lose customers and our net sales and performance would decline.
• We have a substantial amount of indebtedness, and, as a result, we are subject to certain restrictive covenants and payment obligations that may adversely affect our ability to operate and expand our business.

Further information concerning these and other factors is included in AGCO’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. AGCO disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by law.