Archer Daniels Midland Hurt by Weak Exports

Archer Daniels Midland Co. reported a steeper-than-expected drop in revenue and profit in its latest quarter, as the grain trader and processor continued to face low exports and weak margins.

"Challenging market conditions continued in the first quarter," Chief Executive Juan Luciano said.

ADM, among the world's largest agribusinesses and a major ethanol producer, has been buffeted recently by lower ethanol-production margins and sluggish overseas demand for North American crops. Mr. Luciano also pointed to poor results from trading.

In the latest quarter, revenue in the Chicago company's agricultural-services segment, its largest, fell 19% to $6.48 billion. Revenue in the corn-processing business fell 10.5% as the oilseed-processing business posted a 21% drop in revenue. Total processed volume for corn and oilseed fell 0.9%.

Still, Mr. Luciano said he was "optimistic" that reduced South American soybean and corn production could improve margins and merchandising opportunities in the second half of the year.

The company posted earnings of $230 million, or 39 cents a share, down from $493 million, or 77 cents a share, a year prior. Excluding gains on sales, losses on asset impairments and other special items, per-share earnings fell to 42 cents a share from 78 cents a year before.

Revenue slid 18% to $14.38 billion.

Analysts had projected per-share earnings of 45 cents a share on revenue of $17.02 billion.

Shares of the company, up 21% in the last three months, were inactive in premarket trading.

Write to Austen Hufford at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

May 03, 2016 08:35 ET (12:35 GMT)

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