ADM Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ADM (NYSE: ADM) today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 and updated its full-year 2026 outlook, including an increase to adjusted EPS guidance.

3Q26 Key Takeaways:

• Net earnings of $821 million, with adjusted net earnings ¹ of $858 million
• EPS ² of $1.70, with adjusted EPS ^1,2 of $1.77

2026 Outlook³:

• ADM now expects 2026 adjusted EPS ^1,2 of approximately $5.50 to $5.80, up from the prior adjusted EPS guidance range of $5.15 to $5.60
• The updated outlook reflects expected year-over-year operating profit improvement for the fourth quarter in all segments
• External factors across the macroeconomic, geopolitical, policy, and trade environments continue to be monitored
• Capital expenditures now projected to be in the range of $1.2 to $1.3 billion, revised from the prior range of $1.3 to $1.5 billion, reflecting the company’s continued prioritization of high-return investments

“ADM delivered strong third quarter results, with earnings up significantly from the prior year quarter and operating profit growth across all segments,” said Juan Luciano, Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. “These results were driven by a constructive biofuels environment combined with our extensive North American footprint, which gives us significant access to premium markets, and good execution by our team. Our year-to-date performance and fourth quarter outlook support another increase to our full-year 2026 adjusted EPS guidance.”

Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2026 Results

Summary of Third Quarter and Year-to-Date 2026

For the third quarter of 2026, earnings before income taxes were $997 million, compared to the prior year quarter of $147 million. Total third quarter segment operating profit¹ was $1.4 billion, compared to the prior year quarter of $845 million. This excludes net specified item charges of $36 million. EPS² on a GAAP basis was $1.70, representing an increase of $1.48 compared to the prior year quarter EPS of $0.22. Adjusted EPS^1,2 was $1.77, an increase of $0.85 compared to the prior year quarter of $0.92.

Earnings before income taxes were $2.5 billion year-to-date in 2026, compared to the prior year period of $779 million. Total segment operating profit¹ was $3.6 billion year-to-date in 2026, compared to the prior year period of $2.4 billion. EPS² on a GAAP basis was $4.18, up $2.89 versus the prior year period, and adjusted EPS^1,2 was $4.33, up $1.77 versus the prior year period.

Agriculture Services and Oilseeds Summary (AS&O)

AS&O segment operating profit was $778 million for the third quarter of 2026, an increase of 105% compared to the prior year quarter. Included in third quarter results was approximately $35 million of net positive mark-to-market and timing impacts, led by a net positive impact of approximately $45 million in Refined Products and Other, which was partially offset by modest net negative impacts attributable to Ag Services and Crushing.

Ag Services operating profit was 9% lower compared to the prior year quarter, reflecting lower results in certain markets within ADM’s global agriculture supply chain. Higher corn and soybean exports from North America partially offset the decline.

Crushing operating profit increased by $298 million compared to the prior year quarter as the business performed well in a constructive North American biofuels margin environment. The constructive margin environment continued to be driven by higher domestic demand resulting from the Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) policy finalized in March of this year, combined with higher global energy prices. Additionally, global crush production volumes increased 1.6% year-over-year, and soybean meal demand remained strong throughout the quarter. In South America, crush margins were pressured by the delay in Brazil’s biofuels policy changes.

Refined Products and Other operating profit was 82% higher compared to the prior year quarter. The year-over-year increase was largely attributable to favorable North American biodiesel margins, including mark-to-market and timing impacts, driven by higher domestic demand resulting from the RVO policy finalization, combined with higher global energy prices.

Equity earnings from the company’s investment in Wilmar were approximately 38% higher compared to the prior year quarter.

Carbohydrate Solutions Summary

Carbohydrate Solutions segment operating profit was $470 million for the third quarter of 2026, an increase of 40% compared to the prior year quarter.

Starches and Sweeteners operating profit increased by 11% compared to the prior year quarter. Strong ethanol margins, including policy incentives, more than offset continued softness in liquid sweetener margins and volumes. Starches results continued to show stability, while global wheat milling volumes remained stable in a competitive pricing environment.

Vantage Corn Processors operating profit increased by $103 million compared to the prior year quarter, driven by robust North American ethanol margins, including policy incentives, increased domestic demand, and strong industry-wide exports.

Nutrition Summary

Nutrition segment operating profit was $134 million for the third quarter of 2026, representing a 3% increase compared to the prior year quarter.

Human Nutrition operating profit was 3% lower compared to the prior year quarter, as progress made in Flavors and the recovery of the Decatur East plant were more than offset by unplanned downtime, inflation pressures impacting certain input costs, market softness in Biotics, and the prior year quarter benefiting from approximately $10 million of insurance proceeds.

Animal Nutrition operating profit was 21% higher compared to the prior year quarter, driven by ongoing operational improvements and benefits from portfolio actions taken in 2025.

Corporate and Other Business Summary

For the third quarter of 2026, Corporate results improved compared to the prior year quarter due to the non-recurrence of prior year quarter impairment losses. Other Business’s results were higher compared to the prior year quarter primarily due to a one-time benefit related to the release of certain insurance reserves.

Conference Call Information

ADM will host a webcast today, November 3, 2026, at 7:30 a.m. Central Time to discuss financial results and outlook. To listen to the webcast, go to www.adm.com/webcast. A replay of the webcast will also be available for an extended period of time at www.adm.com/webcast.

About ADM

ADM unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. We’re an essential global agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. We’re a premier human and animal nutrition provider, offering one of the industry’s broadest portfolios of ingredients and solutions from nature. We’re a trailblazer in health and well-being, with an industry-leading range of products for consumers looking for new ways to live healthier lives. We’re a cutting-edge innovator, guiding the way to a future of new bio-based consumer and industrial solutions. And we're leading in business-driven sustainability efforts that support a strong agricultural sector, resilient supply chains, and a vast and growing bioeconomy. Around the globe, our expertise and innovation are meeting critical needs from harvest to home. Learn more at www.adm.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements, other than statements of historical or current fact included in this press release, are forward-looking statements. You can identify forward-looking statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” “believe,” “may,” “outlook,” “forecast”, “guidance”, “will,” “should,” “can have,” “likely,” “goals,” “objectives,” “priorities,” and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. For example, all statements the Company makes relating to its future results of operations and underlying assumptions, as well as growth opportunities, operational execution and improvements, progress on Company priorities, changes to the margin environment, earnings improvements, future demand, future investments, policy changes, capital allocation priorities and actions, the biofuels environment, global trade and tariff conditions, energy prices, and global market volatility are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that could cause actual results and outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, (1) operational risks related to equipment failure, natural disasters, epidemics, pandemics, adverse weather conditions, accidents, explosions, fires, war or acts of terrorism, cybersecurity incidents or other unexpected outages; (2) risks related to the availability and prices of agricultural commodities, agricultural commodity products, other raw materials and energy, including impacts from factors outside the Company’s control such as changes in market conditions, weather conditions, crop disease, plantings, climate change, competition and changes in global demand, as well as risks relating to global and regional economic downturns; (3) risks related to compliance with, and changes in, government programs, policies, laws, and regulations, including those related to trade, tariffs, sanctions, biofuels, sustainability, food safety and quality, the environment, tax, and financial markets; (4) risks related to international conflicts, acts of terrorism or war, sanctions, maritime piracy and other geopolitical events or economic disruptions, as well as other risks related to the disruption of global markets and trade flows; (5) risks and uncertainties relating to acquisitions, equity investments, joint ventures, integrations, divestitures, and other transactions; (6) risks relating to the Company’s execution of its strategic priorities, including achieving cost reductions and operational improvements, organic and inorganic growth and innovation in its products and services; (7) risks related to the Company’s technology systems and cybersecurity incidents; and (8) other risks, assumptions and uncertainties that are described in Item 1A, "Risk Factors" included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, as may be updated in subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Except to the extent required by law, the Company does not undertake, and expressly disclaims, any duty or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The Company uses certain “Non-GAAP” financial measures as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission. These are measures of performance not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), and should be considered in addition to, not in lieu of, GAAP reported measures. Reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in this press release.

Adjusted net earnings and Adjusted earnings per share (EPS). Adjusted net earnings reflects ADM’s reported net earnings after removal of the effect on net earnings of specified items as more fully described in the reconciliation tables below. Adjusted EPS reflects ADM’s diluted EPS after removal of the effect on EPS as reported of specified items as more fully described in the reconciliation tables below. Management believes that Adjusted net earnings and Adjusted EPS are useful measures of ADM’s performance because they provide investors additional information about ADM’s operations allowing better evaluation of underlying business performance and better period-to-period comparability. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended to replace or be alternatives to net earnings and EPS as reported, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, or any other measures of operating results under GAAP. Earnings amounts described above have been divided by the company’s diluted shares outstanding for each respective period in order to arrive at an adjusted EPS amount for each specified item.

Total segment operating profit. Total segment operating profit is ADM’s consolidated earnings before income taxes adjusted for Other Business, Corporate, and specified items as more fully described in the reconciliation tables below. Management believes that total segment operating profit is a useful measure of ADM’s performance because it provides investors information about ADM’s reportable segment performance excluding Other Business, Corporate overhead costs as well as specified items. Total segment operating profit is not a measure of consolidated operating results under GAAP and should not be considered an alternative to earnings before income taxes, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, or any other measure of consolidated operating results under GAAP.

Adjusted Return on Invested Capital (ROIC). Adjusted ROIC is Adjusted ROIC earnings divided by adjusted invested capital. Adjusted ROIC earnings is ADM’s net earnings adjusted for the after-tax effects of interest expense on borrowings and specified items. Adjusted invested capital is the sum of ADM’s equity (excluding redeemable and non-redeemable non-controlling interests) and interest-bearing liabilities (which totals invested capital), adjusted for specified items. Management believes Adjusted ROIC is a useful financial measure because it provides investors information about ADM’s returns excluding the impacts of specified items and increases period-to-period comparability of underlying business performance. Management uses Adjusted ROIC to measure ADM’s performance by comparing Adjusted ROIC to its weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Adjusted ROIC, Adjusted ROIC earnings and Adjusted invested capital are non-GAAP financial measures and are not intended to replace or be alternatives to GAAP financial measures.

EBITDA. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest on borrowings, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest on borrowings, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, adjusted for specified items. The Company calculates Adjusted EBITDA by removing the impact of specified items and adding back the amounts of income tax expense, interest expense on borrowings, and depreciation and amortization to net earnings. Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful measures of the Company’s performance because they provide investors additional information about the Company’s operations allowing better evaluation of underlying business performance and better period-to-period comparability. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures and are not intended to replace or be an alternative to net earnings, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Cash flows from operations before working capital. Cash flows from operations before working capital is defined as cash flows from operating activities adjusted for changes in operating assets and liabilities as presented in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows. Management believes that cash flows from operations before working capital is a useful measure of the Company’s cash generation. Cash flows from operations before working capital is a non-GAAP financial measure and is not intended to replace or be an alternative to cash from operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

Forecasted GAAP Earnings Reconciliation. ADM is not presenting forecasted GAAP earnings per diluted share, forecasted net earnings, forecasted total debt, or forecasted effective tax rate, or a quantitative reconciliation of those metrics to forecasted adjusted earnings per diluted share, forecasted adjusted EBITDA, forecasted net debt, or forecasted adjusted effective tax rate, respectively, in reliance on the unreasonable efforts exemption provided under Item 10(e)(1)(i)(B) of Regulation S-K. ADM is unable to predict with reasonable certainty and without unreasonable effort the impact of any impairment and timing of restructuring-related and other charges, along with acquisition-related expenses and the outcome of certain regulatory, legal and tax matters, as well as other potential reconciling items. The financial impact of these items is uncertain and is dependent on various factors, including timing, and could be material to our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Mark-to-market and timing impact

Mark-to-market and timing impacts represent changes in agricultural commodity pricing and foreign currency market factors and are not necessarily reflective of the operating performance of our business. Mark-to-market and timing impacts represent the estimated net unrealized gain and loss impacts of market factor changes on the valuation of certain of our merchandisable commodity inventories (including certain commodity inventories valued at the lower of cost or market), cash purchase and sales contracts, and futures and foreign currency contracts. The final mark-to-market and timing impacts will be realized when the underlying inventory, cash purchase and sales contracts, and futures and foreign currency contracts are settled.

Financial Tables Follow

Source: Corporate Release

Source: ADM