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Bunge Global SA (BG)·Q1 2025 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Q1 2025 was better than expected operationally, with adjusted EPS of $1.81 vs. $3.04 last year, as tariff-related timing shifts pulled earnings forward from Q2; FY25 adjusted EPS guidance held at approximately $7.75 .
  • Mix was two-speed: Processing delivered solid results with strength in Brazil/Europe/Asia soy crush, while Refined & Specialty Oils was down in most regions amid a more balanced supply/demand and U.S. biofuel policy uncertainty .
  • Balance sheet/liquidity remain robust (RMI > net debt by ~$3B; adjusted leverage 0.6x) and FY25 net interest expense guidance was lowered to $220–$250M from $250–$280M, offering a tailwind to EPS durability .
  • Near-term stock catalysts: potential U.S. RVO update, final regulatory approval and closing of the Viterra combination, and closing of announced divestitures (NA corn milling; EU margarines) .

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • “Better than expected” start to 2025; management highlighted nimbleness and tariff-related timing shifts that supported Q1, and reaffirmed FY25 adjusted EPS of ~$7.75 .
  • Processing outperformed in Brazil/Europe/Asia soy crush; management cited flexibility to benefit from regional dynamics and to keep capacity open in 2H if margins improve .
  • Strong liquidity and low leverage: RMI exceeded net debt by ~$3B; adjusted net debt/EBITDA at 0.6x, with $8.7B undrawn credit lines and ~$3.2B cash .

What Went Wrong

  • Refined & Specialty Oils results were down in most regions (except Asia) given a more balanced supply/demand and U.S. biofuel policy uncertainty .
  • Cash from operations was -$285M (vs. +$994M LY), driven by working capital swings as inventories rose with seasonal flows .
  • YoY earnings compression: adjusted EPS $1.81 vs. $3.04 and adjusted Segment EBIT $406M vs. $719M, reflecting a softer merchandising environment and lower Processing vs. last year .

Financial Results

Consolidated P&L vs prior quarters (YoY and QoQ)

MetricQ3 2024Q4 2024Q1 2025
Net Sales ($USD Millions)$12,908 $13,542 $11,643
GAAP Diluted EPS$1.56 $4.36 $1.48
Adjusted Diluted EPS$2.29 $2.13 $1.81

Q1 2025 Actual vs S&P Global Consensus (Wall Street)

MetricConsensusActual
Revenue ($USD Billions)$13.11B*$11.643B
Adjusted EPS ($)$1.31*$1.81

Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Notes: Q1 revenue missed, while adjusted EPS beat. Consensus figures and “actual” pairing align to non-GAAP adjusted EPS convention used by BG and street models .

Segment performance (Q1 2025 vs Q1 2024)

Segment (US$ in mm)Q1 2024Q1 2025
Agribusiness – Volumes (k MT)20,192 18,277
Agribusiness – Net Sales$9,740 $8,161
Agribusiness – Adjusted Segment EBIT$487 $268
Processing – Adjusted EBIT$411 $207
Merchandising – Adjusted EBIT$76 $61
Refined & Specialty Oils – Volumes (k MT)2,195 2,130
Refined & Specialty Oils – Net Sales$3,240 $3,092
Refined & Specialty Oils – Adjusted Segment EBIT$204 $123
Milling – Volumes (k MT)874 898
Milling – Net Sales$381 $375
Milling – Adjusted Segment EBIT$28 $15

KPIs and Balance Sheet/Liquidity

KPIQ1 2025
Adjusted Funds From Operations$392M
Cash from Operations-$285M
RMI vs Net DebtRMI exceeded net debt by ~$3B
Adjusted Net Debt / Adjusted EBITDA0.6x
Undrawn Committed Credit Facilities~$8.7B unused
Cash Balance~$3.2B

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious Guidance (as of Q4’24 release)Current Guidance (Q1’25)Change
Adjusted EPSFY 2025~ $7.75 ~ $7.75 Maintained
Adjusted Effective Tax RateFY 202521%–25% 21%–25% Maintained
Net Interest ExpenseFY 2025$250–$280M $220–$250M Lowered
Capital ExpendituresFY 2025$1.5–$1.7B $1.5–$1.7B Maintained
D&AFY 2025~$490M ~$490M Maintained
Segment Outlook – AgribusinessFY 2025Down YoY (Processing lower) Slightly lower vs prior outlook; down YoY (Processing) Slightly Lower vs prior outlook
Segment Outlook – Refined & Specialty OilsFY 2025Down YoY (NA balance) Similar to prior outlook; down YoY (NA balance) Maintained
Segment Outlook – MillingFY 2025Up YoY Similar to prior outlook; up YoY Maintained
Corporate & OtherFY 2025Up YoY More favorable vs prior outlook and vs LY Improved

Dividend cadence (approved at AGM): $0.70 per quarter in 2Q25, 3Q25, 4Q25, and 1Q26 ($2.80 annualized) .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicQ3 2024 (Q-2)Q4 2024 (Q-1)Q1 2025 (Current)Trend
Viterra regulatory/closingProgress toward remaining approvals In late stages of regulatory processes “Final stage” of regulatory approval; ready to close quickly once received Steady progress → imminent
U.S. biofuels policy (RVO)NA biofuel uncertainty noted in Oils NA Oils pressured by policy uncertainty Oils down in most regions except Asia due to balanced supply/demand and U.S. policy uncertainty; potential RVO upside if raised Policy still overhang; potential upside if RVO higher
Tariffs/trade dynamicsNoted shifting market dynamics Geopolitical/trade uncertainty Tariff/regulatory uncertainty pulled activity into Q1; outlook embeds current curves/tariffs Increased near-term timing effects
Portfolio actionsJoint venture sale (sugar & bioenergy) closed Advanced JV sale; buybacks Announced NA corn milling and EU margarines divestitures; Repsol JV milestone Sharpening to core global value chains
Regional crush marginsSouth America/Europe strength; NA softer in Processing Higher Europe/Asia soy crush; NA/SA lower; EU softseeds weak Q1 strength in Brazil/Europe/Asia; NA/Argentina/EU softseeds weaker; spot better; curve tougher ex-NA Similar pattern, timing through year

Management Commentary

  • CEO on Q1 setup and strategy: “Our team delivered a better than expected start to 2025… We are in the final stage of regulatory approval for our combination with Viterra and are prepared to close quickly once received.”
  • CEO on timing shifts: “We benefited in the first quarter from tariff-related timing shifts in demand and farmer activity…”
  • CFO on earnings cadence: ~40%/60% 1H/2H unchanged; Q1 vs Q2 flipped to ~60/40 due to pull-forward .
  • CEO on biofuels: A higher RVO would “strengthen the oil leg of the crush” and BG is not heavily locked for 2H, allowing benefit if margins improve .
  • CEO on portfolio/energy: Repsol JV expands lower-CI feedstocks (novel oils, UCO) optionality for renewable fuels in Europe .

Q&A Highlights

  • Viterra approval and CJ Selecta termination: Management remains confident on Viterra; CJ Selecta terminated due to passing long stop date and regulatory path; SPC feed remains attractive .
  • Earnings cadence: About half of Q1 overperformance pulled forward from Q2; 1H/2H mix remains ~40/60 .
  • Crush margins/geography: Soy crush strongest in Europe; U.S. #2; Argentina weak in Q1 but improving in Q2; canola outlook improves with new crop .
  • RVO/biofuels: Coalition with farmers/energy pushing for achievable RVO; higher RVO would support oil leg; BG relatively open for 2H .
  • South America farmer selling: Argentina farmer selling picked up (temporary tax window, improved weather, eased capital controls); Brazil record soybean crop and expected corn behind it .
  • Corn milling divestiture: Post-close, Milling will be South America wheat milling only; strong fit with Viterra’s Brazilian milling footprint .

Estimates Context

  • Q1 2025: Adjusted EPS $1.81 vs. consensus $1.31 (beat); Revenue $11.64B vs. $13.11B consensus (miss). Management explicitly reaffirmed FY25 adjusted EPS ~$7.75 despite Q1 timing pull-forward . Consensus values from S&P Global.*
  • Prior quarters context: Q4 2024 adjusted EPS $2.13 vs consensus $2.25; Q3 2024 adjusted EPS $2.29 vs consensus $2.15. Revenue outcomes were generally slightly below consensus in Q3–Q4 . Consensus values from S&P Global.*

Values retrieved from S&P Global.

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • The quarter’s quality was stronger than headlines: timing/tariff dynamics pulled earnings from Q2, but FY EPS guide held, and net interest expense guidance was cut—supportive to out-year EPS math .
  • Mix matters: Processing resilience and 2H optionality (limited forward locking) provide leverage to any improvement in biofuel policy (RVO) and new-crop crush margins, particularly in North America .
  • Oils overhang persists until U.S. policy clarity; Europe looks firmer through Repsol partnership and regional policy stability .
  • Portfolio sharpened: announced sales of NA corn milling and EU margarines realign resources to core global value chains and diversify energy exposure via Repsol JV .
  • Balance sheet/liquidity give flexibility for Viterra close and cyclical volatility (RMI > net debt by ~$3B; 0.6x leverage; $8.7B undrawn) .
  • Near-term trading setup: watch for (1) RVO update, (2) Viterra approval/close timing, (3) cadence reset in Q2 after Q1 pull-forward, and (4) Argentina/Brazil selling pace and global crush curves .
  • Dividend cadence reconfirmed ($0.70 quarterly) adds income support while strategic catalysts play out .

Appendix: Additional Data Points

  • Consolidated Q1 2025: Net sales $11.643B; GAAP EPS $1.48; adjusted EPS $1.81; adjusted total EBIT $362M .
  • Cash from operations Q1 2025: -$285M; Adjusted FFO $392M (working capital-driven delta vs LY) .
  • FY25 operating parameters: Tax 21–25%; Net interest $220–$250M; Capex $1.5–$1.7B; D&A ~$490M .
  • Dividend schedule for FY25/1Q26: $0.70 on 6/2/25; 9/2/25; 12/1/25; 3/3/26 .