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Archer-Daniels-Midland Co.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 3 February 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Adjusted EPS fell 24% in quarter: Fourth-quarter adjusted EPS was $0.87, down from $1.14; GAAP diluted EPS was $0.94 against $1.17. Total segment operating profit was $821 million, down 22%. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EPS fell 28%: Full-year adjusted EPS was $3.43, down 28%. GAAP diluted EPS was $2.23, down 39%. Full-year total segment operating profit was $3.2 billion, down 23%. Source
  • AS&O profit down 31% in quarter: AS&O operating profit was $444 million, down 31%. Crushing fell 69%, and Refined Products and Other fell 2%. Source
  • Crush margins fell in both regions: Global crush volumes rose in the quarter, but lower crush margins in North and South America pressured overall results. Source
  • Operating cash flow reached $5.5 billion: Cash flows provided by operating activities were $5.5 billion for 2025, and $2.7 billion before working capital. Source
  • Portfolio and cost actions advanced: Management said it advanced portfolio optimization, targeted cost reductions and plant efficiency during 2025. Source
  • 2026 guidance rests on policy and trade: The 2026 guidance rests on an expected more constructive operating environment as trade policies evolve and biofuel policy clarity progresses. Source
  • Policy clarity timing sets range position: Management said the timing of policy clarity, especially U.S. biofuel policy, will largely decide whether ADM reaches the higher end of the range. Source

“2025 was marked by a dynamic global trade landscape, and ongoing uncertainty around U.S. biofuel policy created a challenging operating environment for ADM.”

Chair of the Board and CEO Juan Luciano

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Adjusted EPS Source2026 full yearapproximately $3.60 to $4.25New
Capital expenditures Source2026$1.3 to $1.5 billionNew
Carbohydrate Solutions segment operating profit Source2026relatively flatNew

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: A 2026 adjusted EPS range of approximately $3.60 to $4.25 appears in this release; the prior release gave no 2026 figure. Source
  • New guidance: A 2026 capital expenditure range of $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion was given in this release. Source
  • New guidance: Segment directions for 2026 were given for AS&O, Carbohydrate Solutions and Nutrition. Source

Quarter and full-year results

  • Adjusted EPS fell 24% in quarter: Fourth-quarter adjusted EPS was $0.87, down from $1.14; GAAP diluted EPS was $0.94 against $1.17. Total segment operating profit was $821 million, down 22%. Source
  • Full-year adjusted EPS fell 28%: Full-year adjusted EPS was $3.43, down 28%. GAAP diluted EPS was $2.23, down 39%. Full-year total segment operating profit was $3.2 billion, down 23%. Source
  • Wilmar gain lifted quarter GAAP results: Specified items were a net gain of $179 million in the quarter, led by a $254 million non-cash Wilmar gain, partly offset by impairment, exit and restructuring charges. Source
  • Full-year specified items net charge: Full-year specified items were a net charge of $236 million, mainly impairment, exit and restructuring charges, partly offset by a $91 million net Wilmar gain. Source

Segment results

  • AS&O profit down 31% in quarter: AS&O operating profit was $444 million, down 31%. Crushing fell 69%, and Refined Products and Other fell 2%. Source
  • Carbohydrate Solutions down 6%: Carbohydrate Solutions profit was $299 million, down 6%. Vantage Corn Processors rose 187%, while Starches and Sweeteners fell 16%. Source
  • Nutrition down 11% in quarter: Nutrition profit was $78 million, down 11%. Human Nutrition fell 10%, and Animal Nutrition fell 15%. Source
  • Full-year segment results diverged: Full-year AS&O profit was $1.6 billion, down 34%. Carbohydrate Solutions fell 12%, and Nutrition rose 8% to $417 million. Source
  • Wilmar equity earnings rose 49%: Equity earnings from Wilmar were about 49% higher than a year earlier in the quarter, and about 14% lower for the full year. Source

“Despite these external headwinds, the business units showed impressive resilience and we delivered meaningful progress in the areas within our control.”

Chair of the Board and CEO Juan Luciano

Products and customers

  • Flavors profit rose on North America: Flavors operating profit rose, driven largely by North American sales, with support from Europe and Asia Pacific. Source
  • Health & Wellness profit fell: Health & Wellness profit fell, mainly from strategic actions to normalize inventory and optimize cash flow. Source
  • Export demand reduced ethanol inventory: Export demand lowered industry ethanol inventory year over year, partly offsetting domestic seasonality in Vantage Corn Processors. Source

Costs, charges and insurance

  • Corporate costs rose about 25%: Corporate and Other Business costs rose about 25% in the quarter, mainly on higher revaluation charges, partly offset by lower interest expense. Source
  • Specified charges rose on impairments: Specified charges were $293 million pretax in the quarter and $930 million for the year, mainly impairment of investments and long-lived assets, plus restructuring. Source
  • Lower insurance proceeds cut Carbohydrate profit: Lower Decatur insurance proceeds accounted for $75 million of the full-year Carbohydrate Solutions profit decline. Source

Crush margins and mark-to-market

  • Crush margins fell in both regions: Global crush volumes rose in the quarter, but lower crush margins in North and South America pressured overall results. Source
  • Mark-to-market swung against Ag Services: Ag Services had about $1 million of net negative mark-to-market impact in the quarter, against about $50 million of net positive impact a year earlier. Source
  • Full-year crushing profit fell 81%: Full-year Crushing profit fell 81%, primarily on lower crush margins. Source

Demand and customer activity

  • Farmer selling and inventory stayed subdued: Farmer selling stayed subdued on muted 2025 pricing, and customers held less inventory, which reduced trading activity. Source
  • Ag Services fell on soybean exports: Ag Services fell 31% in the quarter, driven mainly by lower North American soybean export activity. Source
  • Full-year Ag Services down 11%: Full-year Ag Services fell 11% on lower North American soybean exports and challenged international trade flows. Source

Cash flow, debt and dividend

  • Operating cash flow reached $5.5 billion: Cash flows provided by operating activities were $5.5 billion for 2025, and $2.7 billion before working capital. Source
  • Working capital added $2.8 billion: Changes in operating assets and liabilities added $2.8 billion to 2025 operating cash flow. Source
  • Capital expenditures fell year over year: Capital expenditures were $1,248 million in 2025, compared with $1,563 million in 2024. Source
  • Lines of credit and debt repaid: Net repayments under lines of credit were $1,114 million, and long-term debt payments were $772 million in 2025. Source
  • Quarterly dividend raised to 52.0 cents: The Board declared 52.0 cents per share, up from 51.0 cents, the 377th consecutive quarterly payment. Source
  • No share repurchases in 2025: No share repurchases were made in 2025, against $2.3 billion in 2024; cash dividends paid were $987 million. Source

Strategy, safety and portfolio actions

  • Portfolio and cost actions advanced: Management said it advanced portfolio optimization, targeted cost reductions and plant efficiency during 2025. Source
  • Animal Nutrition profit up 66%: Animal Nutrition full-year profit rose 66%, from focusing on higher-margin products, portfolio streamlining and cost optimization. Source
  • Wilmar penalty offset full-year gain: The $91 million full-year Wilmar gain was partly offset by $163 million for ADM’s share of the penalty imposed on Wilmar. Source
  • Lowest injury rate on record: Management said 2025 brought the lowest injury rate on record for the company. Source

2026 guidance drivers

  • 2026 guidance rests on policy and trade: The 2026 guidance rests on an expected more constructive operating environment as trade policies evolve and biofuel policy clarity progresses. Source
  • Top of range needs crush expansion: The top of the range assumes continued crush margin expansion, manufacturing efficiency gains and customer demand that strengthens. Source
  • Policy clarity timing sets range position: Management said the timing of policy clarity, especially U.S. biofuel policy, will largely decide whether ADM reaches the higher end of the range. Source

Coming up, as management said on 3 February 2026

  • Dividend payable March 10, 2026: The cash dividend of 52.0 cents per share is payable March 10, 2026, to holders of record on February 17, 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Oilseeds processed, fourth quarter 2025 (thousand metric tons) Source9,380 (fourth quarter 2024: 9,050)
Corn processed, fourth quarter 2025 (thousand metric tons) Source4,664 (fourth quarter 2024: 4,708)
Oilseeds processed, full year 2025 (thousand metric tons) Source36,324 (2024: 35,719)
Corn processed, full year 2025 (thousand metric tons) Source18,525 (2024: 18,541)

Risks management discussed

  • Regulatory: The low end of the 2026 adjusted EPS range assumes continued U.S. biofuel policy deferral and flat crush margins. Source
  • Demand: Refined Products and Other margins were pressured by lower food demand and by fuel demand held back by deferred U.S. biofuel policy clarity. Source
  • Operational: Starches and Sweeteners margins were hit by higher EMEA corn costs tied to industry-wide crop quality issues. Source
  • Regulatory: Specified charges included contingent settlements, including the settlement of the SEC investigation. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • On track: Management said it remains on track for the $500 million to $750 million cost savings target. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.