MC
MOSAIC CO (MOS)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q2 2025 net sales were $3.01B, GAAP diluted EPS was $1.29, and adjusted EPS was $0.51; adjusted EBITDA was $566M. GAAP EPS benefited from $0.78 of notable items (FX/derivatives/Ma’aden mark-to-market), while adjusted EBITDA was pressured by larger-than-usual provisions and elevated idle/turnaround costs .
- Mosaic Fertilizantes outperformed with operating income of $109M and adjusted EBITDA of $159M; management guided Q3 segment EBITDA to “over $200M” on peak seasonal volumes and distribution margins normalizing .
- Guidance updates: Potash production raised to 9.3–9.5Mt (from 9.0–9.4Mt); Phosphate production lowered to 6.9–7.2Mt (from 7.2–7.6Mt); SG&A raised to $520–$550M (from $470–$500M); Q3 DAP $700–$720/t and MOP $270–$290/t .
- Stock reaction: Results missed Street estimates (EPS $0.51 vs $0.72; revenue $3.01B vs $3.16B), and shares fell ~11.32% on the day of the release .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Mosaic Fertilizantes execution drove higher prices, lower unit costs, and segment adjusted EBITDA of $159M; management expects Q3 EBITDA “significantly above” Q2 and to exceed $200M .
- Potash pricing strengthened (MOP $261/t, +$37/t QoQ) with sales volumes at 2.3Mt and segment adjusted EBITDA at $278M; Hydrofloat commissioning adds 400k t/yr low-cost capacity at Esterhazy .
- Cost program achieved $150M and expanded to $250M, targeting automation, supply chain optimization, margin optimization, and fixed-cost absorption improvements as phosphate run-rates normalize .
- Quote: “The work we completed in the first six months of the year sets the stage for a strong second half… We expect to generate significant free cash flow through the balance of the year” — Bruce Bodine, CEO .
What Went Wrong
- Phosphate operating earnings were $(8)M; adjusted EBITDA fell to $217M, with 1.5Mt sales (down from 1.7Mt YoY) due to turnarounds/reliability work; conversion costs were $126/t (vs $100/t YoY) and idle/turnaround expenses rose $48M YoY to $84M .
- SG&A rose to $167M (+$39M YoY) driven by $33M bad-debt provisions (including a $30M single customer) and global digital project amortization; management expects insurance to recover a significant portion over time .
- Distribution margins in Brazil ran “mid-$20s” in Q2 below the normalized $30–$40/t; shipment deferrals amid credit challenges pushed volumes into Q3 .
Financial Results
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Mosaic’s second quarter 2025 performance reflects extensive maintenance activity and several discreet items… We expect to generate significant free cash flow through the balance of the year.” — Bruce Bodine, President & CEO .
- “$150 million cost reduction program was achieved and is expanded to $250 million to include value capture and additional cost reduction initiatives.” — Press release .
- Phosphate outlook: “Sales volumes are expected to be 1.8 to 2.0 million tonnes [in Q3], … cash cost of conversion … $100–$105/t … DAP prices … $700 to $720/t” .
- Potash outlook: “Full-year production volume … 9.3–9.5Mt … Hydrofloat producing the first potash product tonnes … expected to drive production cost per tonne lower” .
Q&A Highlights
- Asset reliability ramp: CEO discussed a two-week delay on New Wales’ third pumping system, with encouraging early August run-rate; Louisiana trending better than visuals suggested .
- Brazil credit dynamics: Shipment deferrals and cautious sales prioritizing strong credit profiles; Q3 distribution margins expected to normalize [$30–$40/t] .
- Potash costs/mix: Hydrofloat ramp and Colonsay run decision imply FY cash cost target revised to $70–$75/t (from $64–$69) due to mix and CAD strength .
- Segment disclosure additions: Management highlighted new production sales volumes and margin disclosures to aid modeling (transcript services) .
Estimates Context
Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Result vs consensus Q2 2025: EPS miss (0.51 vs 0.717); Revenue miss ($3.01B vs $3.13B). Number of estimates: EPS n=13*, Revenue n=9*.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Q2 missed Street on adjusted EPS and revenue; GAAP EPS uplifted by notable items, masking underlying operational pressure — expect re-rating tied to Q3 execution in phosphate and Brazil distribution .
- Potash tailwinds are intact: higher realized pricing, increased FY production, Hydrofloat capacity adding low-cost tons — monitor CAD FX and Colonsay mix for cost trajectory .
- Phosphate recovery hinges on asset reliability and turnaround normalization; conversion costs guided to $95–$100/t by year-end as volumes ramp .
- Brazil remains a growth driver; expect Q3 volume surge, normalized distribution margins, and segment EBITDA >$200M — watch credit conditions/insurance recovery timing .
- Corporate cost agenda has more room: $250M program expansion could structurally improve margins and SG&A over 2026 .
- Near-term trading setup: sensitivity to DAP/MOP prices is high (each $10/t ≈ $70M/$65M EBITDA full-year) — Q3 pricing guidance implies favorable margin setup if volumes materialize .
- Medium-term thesis: tight global phosphate/potash supply, market access, and biosciences growth support FCF generation; asset reliability execution is the key catalyst for multiple expansion .
Notes:
- Non-GAAP definitions and reconciliations are provided by the company; GAAP-to-adjusted differences are primarily notable FX/derivatives/Ma’aden marks this quarter .
- Cash dividends: $0.22/share paid in Q2 ($70M) .