Nutrien misses Q3 profit estimates on high sulfur costs, to shut Florida phosphate plant
NTR•Nutrien reported adjusted earnings of 61 cents per share, below analysts’ 80-cent estimate, as high sulfur costs and lower nitrogen sales weighed on results. It plans to close its White Springs, Florida, phosphate facility in the second quarter of 2027 and lowered its Retail EBITDA outlook.
1. Earnings and outlook
Nutrien’s adjusted net earnings were 61 cents per share for the quarter ended September 30, below analysts’ average estimate of 80 cents. Total sales rose 1% to $6.06 billion. The company lowered its full-year Retail adjusted EBITDA outlook to $1.72 billion-$1.85 billion and trimmed capital expenditure guidance to $1.95 billion-$2.00 billion.
2. Phosphate site closure
After concluding a strategic review of its phosphate unit, Nutrien said it will retain and optimize its core Aurora operations and shut its higher-cost White Springs facility in Florida in the second quarter of 2027 as mine reserves near depletion. Phosphate adjusted EBITDA fell 93% to $8 million, pressured by high sulfur input prices.
3. Segment performance
Nitrogen adjusted EBITDA declined 11% to $497 million as sales volumes fell 16.7% to 2.35 million tonnes, reflecting planned turnarounds and the idling of Trinidad operations. Potash adjusted EBITDA held at $730 million on sales of 4.07 million tonnes. Nutrien raised the lower end of its full-year potash sales-volume target to 14.3 million tonnes, with a range of 14.3 million to 14.8 million tonnes.
