Key Highlights

• Third-quarter earnings of $0.41 per share¹; nine-month total reaches $1.77 per share
• Weaker prices for all nutrients; market uncertainty leads to lower potash sales volumes
• Nine-month cash flow from operating activities second-highest in company history
• Full-year estimate revised to $2.00-$2.20 per share

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) today reported third-quarter earnings of $0.41 per share ($356 million), down from $0.74 per share ($645 million) earned in the same period last year as a result of weaker prices for all three nutrients and lower potash sales volumes. With the benefit of stronger performance in the first half of the year, our nine-month earnings reached $1.77 per share ($1.6 billion), down 6 percent from the $1.89 per share ($1.7 billion) in last year’s comparative period.

Gross margin contributions from all three nutrients were negatively affected by a challenging fertilizer market. Our gross margin totals of $484 million during the third quarter and $2.3 billion for the first nine months trailed our performance in the comparative periods of 2012, when we generated $927 million and $2.8 billion, respectively.

Earnings before finance costs, income taxes and depreciation and amortization² (EBITDA) of $654 million for the third quarter and $2.7 billion for the first nine months were below the comparable previous-year totals. While cash flow from operating activities of $616 million in the period fell short of the $759 million realized in last year’s third quarter, the nine-month total of $2.6 billion was the second highest in our history.

Our offshore investments in Arab Potash Company (APC) in Jordan, Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM) in Chile and Israel Chemical Ltd. (ICL) in Israel contributed $85 million to earnings for the quarter. The nine-month contribution from our offshore potash investments, including a dividend from Sinofert Holdings Limited (Sinofert) in China, reached $251 million. Both totals trailed those of the previous year. The market value of our investments in these publicly traded companies equated to approximately $6 billion, or $7 per PotashCorp share, as of market close on October 23, 2013.

“The most recent quarter can best be characterized as a predictable response to an unpredicted event,” said PotashCorp President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Doyle. “As we have seen in the past, fertilizer customers faced with uncertainty act with extreme caution. This was the case during the third quarter, particularly in offshore potash markets, where significant purchases were delayed as Russian producer pronouncements left buyers waiting in anticipation of weaker prices. While this volatility does not change the long-term underlying fundamentals of fertilizer demand, it did significantly slow market activity and our ability to deliver the results we expected.”

Market Conditions

The need for proper crop nutrition fueled strong demand for potash through the first half of 2013, but an announced change in strategy by Uralkali in late July created considerable market uncertainty and stalled global demand. Key offshore markets – particularly large contract buyers in China and India – delayed purchases or were reluctant to accept major tonnage against existing contracts. Although Brazil continued to be a region of relative strength, with buyers procuring tonnes in preparation for their upcoming planting season, offshore shipments from North American producers fell to one of the lowest third-quarter totals in recent history. In North America, a pause in purchasing early in the quarter and a late crop resulted in shipments below the record achieved in 2012, a period when demand was pulled forward because an early harvest enabled strong fall applications. In both the offshore and North American markets, pricing weakened as the quarter progressed.

In nitrogen, US demand for ammonia, urea and nitrogen solutions was relatively flat compared to last year and production from low-cost domestic producers increased, reducing the need for higher-cost offshore imports. While this situation benefited domestic producers, the combination of typical seasonal slowness and increased availability of new supply from offshore exporting regions softened key global reference prices through the quarter.

Global phosphate markets were subdued during the quarter, as strong Latin American demand was offset by the continued absence of significant engagement from India and a delayed start to the US fall application season. Solid phosphate fertilizer shipments from US producers were slightly below those of both the third quarter and the first nine months of 2012. This environment put downward pressure on prices for most phosphate products.

Potash

The slowdown in global markets resulted in our third-quarter potash gross margin declining to $228 million from the $554 million generated during the comparative period of 2012. This quarter’s result brought our nine-month total to $1.3 billion, compared to $1.7 billion in the same period last year.

With many buyers delaying purchases, our third-quarter sales volumes declined. In North America, sales volumes of 0.7 million tonnes were in line with historical levels but trailed the record 1 million tonnes sold in the third quarter of 2012. In offshore markets, the 0.8 million tonnes moved during the quarter fell short of the 1.1 million tonnes sold in the same period last year as a result of reduced sales to Canpotex³ and fewer tonnes shipped from our New Brunswick facility. The majority of Canpotex shipments were directed to Other Asia (39 percent) and Latin America (34 percent) and, to a lesser extent, India (9 percent) and China (8 percent). Despite a weak demand environment during the quarter, our total sales volumes for the first nine months of 2013 reached 6.3 million tonnes, a 7 percent increase over the same period last year.

Buyer caution and competitive pressures in all key markets weakened the pricing environment and our average realized price of $307 per tonne for the third quarter was down from $429 per tonne during the same period last year.

Our third-quarter production of 1.2 million tonnes was down 27 percent from the same quarter of 2012. While both periods included normal maintenance downtime, this year’s total was also affected by additional downtime at Cory (four weeks) and reduced operating rates at Lanigan and Rocanville. Lower production levels had a negative impact on our per-tonne cost of goods sold for the quarter, but this impact was offset by the absence of higher-cost tonnes from Esterhazy.

Nitrogen

The positive impact of higher sales volumes was more than offset by lower prices for all major nitrogen product categories and brought nitrogen gross margin for the quarter to $178 million, below the $251 million earned in last year’s third quarter. For the first nine months, we generated gross margin of $725 million, compared to a record $772 million in the same period in 2012. With favorable natural gas costs and higher production levels, our US operations generated the majority of gross margin for the quarter ($116 million), while our facility in Trinidad contributed the remainder ($62 million).

Despite maintenance-related downtime in Trinidad, our third-quarter sales volumes increased to 1.4 million tonnes – well above the 1.1 million tonnes sold in the same period last year. The key driver of this increase was the restart of ammonia capacity at Geismar, which also helped raise our nine-month total to a record 4.3 million tonnes.

Our average realized nitrogen price of $327 per tonne for the third quarter fell below the $458 per tonne realized in the same period last year, as prices declined in all major product categories. Ammonia prices pulled back from the historically high levels of third-quarter 2012, while urea moved lower primarily due to increased supply pressures from key exporting countries. Our remaining nitrogen products – focused largely on more stable industrial markets – declined marginally compared to last year.

Including the impact of our hedge position, the total average natural gas cost included in production for the third quarter was $4.96 per MMBtu – 27 percent below the same period last year. This, along with the favorable impact of lower-cost production from Geismar, resulted in improved cost of goods sold for the quarter relative to the same period of 2012.

Phosphate

Phosphate gross margin of $78 million trailed the $122 million earned in the third quarter last year, primarily as a result of weaker prices. Feed and industrial products, which tend to deliver more stable margins, contributed $47 million for the quarter and demonstrated the value of our diversified phosphate product offerings, while fertilizer products generated $28 million. For the first nine months of 2013, our phosphate gross margin totaled $260 million, which compared to $370 million earned in the same period last year.

Phosphate sales volumes of 0.9 million tonnes for the third quarter and 2.7 million tonnes for the first nine months were comparable to 2012 levels.

Our average realized phosphate price for the quarter was $467 per tonne, down from $537 per tonne realized in the same period last year. This change was largely due to a 20 percent decline in prices for fertilizer products from third-quarter 2012; the decline in feed and industrial realizations was 4 percent.

Per-tonne cost of goods sold for the quarter trended lower compared to the same period last year as a result of reduced input costs for sulfur and ammonia.

Financial

Provincial mining and other taxes totaled $10 million, compared to $62 million in the third quarter last year, primarily due to adjustments in our annual forecast and the resulting impact on potash production tax accruals. With lower earnings during the quarter, our income tax expense declined to $116 million from $249 million in the comparative period of 2012.

Capital-related cash expenditures totaled $360 million in the quarter, down significantly from previous period spending levels, as we near completion of our major potash expansion program. 

Through our announced share repurchase program (by way of a normal course issuers bid), we repurchased 6.3 million common shares during the third quarter at an average cost of $30.95 per share.

Market Outlook

Markets for all three nutrients faced challenges during the third quarter as near-term uncertainty overshadowed the long-term fundamentals that drive food and fertilizer demand. The impact was evident in equity market valuations across the sector and in the actions of fertilizer buyers around the world.

This was most pronounced in the potash market. However, as the quarter progressed, growers and distributors in Brazil and North America began to focus on the agronomic needs of their soils and the supportive economic motivators of high-yield agriculture. In other markets, the procurement of new supply continues to be limited or deferred – not necessarily due to lack of immediate need, but in anticipation of lower prices. Although this evolving situation led us to reduce our global potash demand estimates for 2013 and our pricing expectations, we believe the deferral will contribute to a more positive demand environment in the coming year.

In North America, potash buyers are beginning to take the necessary steps to place product in advance of the fall application season. In recent weeks, they have been moving more aggressively in drawing against summer-fill tonnage commitments and are purchasing additional product requirements. In regions where the harvest is complete, fertilizer application activity is reportedly strong, although an especially late crop across much of the US will likely shorten the fall application window and could push demand from the final quarter of the year into the first half of 2014.

With Latin America well into its key planting season, favorable crop economics and the agronomic need to replenish nutrients in its soils continue to support strong demand for all fertilizer products. Most of the immediate requirements are now in place for their planting season and we anticipate buyers will take a more measured approach through the balance of the year. Despite this potential slowdown, Brazilian demand for fertilizer, including potash, is on track to reach record levels for the year.

In China, potash inventories are expected to satisfy fall application requirements but are likely to be drawn down through the second half of the year. We anticipate Canpotex will have sales to this market in the fourth quarter, which is reflected in the upper end of our sales volume guidance range. Challenging growing conditions in key agricultural regions are expected to put pressure on the supply of domestic grain and oilseeds and create a greater need for crop imports. We expect China’s desire to improve yields to keep pace with food requirements will increase future potash demand.

Challenges remain in India. Although potash contracts with major suppliers run through to March 2014, weak domestic demand caused by reduced government subsidies and currency volatility – as well as the desire to hold out for lower contract prices – could result in shipments and pricing falling short of our previous expectations.

Following limited potash movements during the third quarter, we anticipate buyers in Other Asian countries will engage more actively through the final quarter of 2013. With many customers entering their major tender season, supportive grower economics and limited inventories are expected to result in increased fourth-quarter shipments. Competition remains strong in this region.

Financial Outlook

In this environment, we have revised our 2013 potash gross margin forecast range to $1.5-$1.7 billion on expected shipment levels between 8 million and 8.4 million tonnes. We anticipate our operating levels will remain below those of the first half of the year as we manage our inventory and position ourselves for a Canpotex allocation run at Allan early in 2014. We expect our per-tonne operating costs in the fourth quarter to improve relative to those of third-quarter 2013 as well as the comparable period last year.

In nitrogen, we remain on track to surpass previous-year annual sales volumes. While prices for most nitrogen products appear to have found support during the third quarter, they have weakened from our previous expectations and led us to reduce our gross margin estimate for the full year.

In phosphate, weak Indian demand is expected to pressure solid fertilizer realizations through the balance of the year, although a strong North American fall application season could provide some near-term support. The decline of costs for purchased inputs – specifically sulfur and ammonia – and the continued stability provided by our feed, industrial and specialty liquid fertilizer products are expected to keep our margins relatively close to previous expectations.  

In this environment, we now forecast full-year 2013 combined gross margin for nitrogen and phosphate of $1.2 -$1.3 billion.

All other previously disclosed annual guidance assumptions for 2013 remain in place, with the exception of contributions from equity investments and dividend income, which are now anticipated to approximate $300 million.

Based on these factors and guidance items above, PotashCorp now forecasts full-year 2013 net income at $2.00-$2.20 per share.

Conclusion

PotashCorp is the world’s largest crop nutrient company and plays an integral role in global food production. The company produces the three essential nutrients required to help farmers grow healthier, more abundant crops. With global population rising and diets improving in developing countries, these nutrients offer a responsible and practical solution to meeting the long-term demand for food. PotashCorp is the largest producer, by capacity, of potash and third largest producer of nitrogen and phosphate. While agriculture is its primary market, the company also produces products for animal nutrition and industrial uses. Common shares of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.

For further information please contact:

Investors	Media
Denita Stann Vice President, Investor and Public Relations Phone: (306) 933-8521 Fax: (306) 933-8844 E-mail Denita	Bill Johnson Senior Director, Public Affairs Phone: (306) 933-8849 Fax: (306) 933-8844 E-mail Bill

This release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information (forward-looking statements). These statements can be identified by expressions of belief, expectation or intention, as well as those statements that are not historical fact. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions including with respect to: foreign exchange rates, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities and effective tax rates. While the company considers these factors and assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. The results or events set forth in forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Several factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to the following: variations from our assumptions with respect to foreign exchange rates, expected growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, and effective tax rates; fluctuations in supply and demand in the fertilizer, sulfur, transportation and petrochemical markets; costs and availability of transportation and distribution for our raw materials and products, including railcars and ocean freight; changes in competitive pressures, including pricing pressures; adverse or uncertain economic conditions and changes in credit and financial markets; the results of sales contract negotiations within major markets; economic and political uncertainty around the world; timing and impact of capital expenditures; risks associated with natural gas and other hedging activities; changes in capital markets; unexpected or adverse weather conditions; changes in currency and exchange rates; unexpected geological or environmental conditions, including water inflows; imprecision in reserve estimates; adverse developments in new and pending legal proceedings or government investigations; acquisitions we may undertake; strikes or other forms of work stoppage or slowdowns; rates of return on and the risks associated with our investments; changes in, and the effects of, government policies and regulations; security risks related to our information technology systems; and earnings and the decisions of taxing authorities, which could affect our effective tax rates. Additional risks and uncertainties can be found in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 under the captions “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A – Risk Factors” and in our other filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian provincial securities commissions. Forward-looking statements are given only as at the date of this release and the company disclaims any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.