CF Industries doubles first-quarter profit as Middle East supply disruptions raise nitrogen prices

CF Industries nearly doubled its first-quarter 2026 net earnings, driven by higher global nitrogen prices after Middle Eastern export disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz. Net earnings reached $615 million, up from $312 million a year earlier. Revenue increased 20% year over year to $1.99 billion. EBITDA was $1.01 billion, and adjusted EBITDA rose to $983 million from $644 million in the first quarter of 2025. Results included a one-time litigation settlement gain of about $170 million.

The company stated that its North American production, supplied entirely by regional natural gas, continues to offer a structural cost advantage over producers reliant on imported LNG. CF Industries operated at over 99% of available ammonia capacity during the quarter, allowing it to benefit from higher nitrogen prices despite the ongoing Yazoo City, Mississippi, outage. The facility is not expected to resume production until late in the fourth quarter of 2026, reducing this year’s projected gross ammonia output to about 9.5 million tonnes, down from 10.1 million tonnes in 2025.

To offset production losses, CF Industries deferred planned maintenance at its Donaldsonville, Louisiana, ammonia complex and converted 100 ammonium nitrate hopper railcars for granular urea service to expand distribution capacity. The company also prioritized deliveries to U.S. customers over higher-priced export markets during the supply disruption, highlighting strong domestic nitrogen demand amid tighter global supplies.

Source: CF Industries / SEC