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YoY shift: Lean +
Year-over-year tone shift - average net-tone change across Risk Factors and MD&A vs the prior 10-K. This filing is 0.43pp more bullish than last year's.
Why YoY instead of absolute: the LM lexicon has ~6.6× more negative words than positive (legal/risk-disclosure language is heavy on hedging), so every 10-K reads bearish on raw tone. Year-over-year change strips that bias and surfaces the actual shift in management's framing.
Tone shift by section
The two components the gauge averages: how Risk Factors and MD&A each shifted in net tone versus last year's 10-K. The headline above is their average, so a green needle over a soft section just means the other section carried it.
Risk Factors
+0.59pp
Lean +
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
MD&A
+0.27pp
Flat
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
Per-snippet highlights
Sentence-level sentiment highlighting with category and subcategory filters is coming once the snippet-scoring pipeline lands. For now, dig into the actual section text on the Sections tab.
Language change vs prior 10-K
Risk Factors (Item 1A) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
adversely+10
incidents+4
damage+3
failure+3
negatively+3
Positive rising
achieve+4
successfully+2
improve+2
success+2
opportunities+1
Risk Factors (Item 1A)
7,729 words
Item 1A.
RISK FACTORS
The risks described below, as well as the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, should be carefully considered. Any one or more of such risks could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, and stock price and could cause actual results of operations and financial condition to vary materially from past or anticipated future results of operations and financial condition. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company or that the Company currently believes to be immaterial may also adversely affect the Company.
Operational Risks
The Company is exposed to potential business disruption risks which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and could result in increased expenses and liabilities.
The Company engages in manufacturing and distribution activities across numerous markets and geographies. As a result, the Company is subject to risks inherent in such activities and from time to time has experienced unplanneddowntime or extensive property and business from various events and external factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control. These events and factors include, but are not limited to, equipment , raw material , natural , weather conditions, , explosions, fires, environmental events, strikes or other labor or industrial , war or acts of terrorism, cybersecurity attacks, or other . These events could result in personal , of life, and environmental . In some cases, the Company is dependent on a single plant or facility to manufacture or process certain products in a geographical region or otherwise. The Company may not be to timely or effectively, and the associated liability which could result from these risks may not always be covered by or could exceed liability insurance, and any insurance proceeds may not be received for several years after an event occurrence. The impact of these events and factors has and could in the future require significant investments and expenditures to repair facilities or equipment and require management attention and other resources, which has and could impact the Company’s results of operations.
Language change vs prior 10-K
MD&A (Item 7) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
impairment+7
restructuring+4
challenges+3
negative+2
termination+2
Positive rising
improved+6
positive+3
gain+2
achieve+2
enhance+2
MD&A (Item 7)
9,017 words
Item 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements, which can be found in Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
This MD&A generally discusses 2025 and 2024 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2025 and 2024. Discussions of 2023 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2024 and 2023 are not included in this Form 10-K and can be found in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II. Item 7 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed on February 20, 2025.
Company Overview
Archer-Daniels-Midland Company and its subsidiaries (the "Company" or "ADM") unlocks the power of nature to enrich the quality of life. The Company is an essential global agricultural supply chain manager and processor, providing food security by connecting local needs with global capabilities. ADM is also a premier human and animal nutrition provider, as well as a leader in health and well-being products.
Reportable Segments
The Company’s operations are organized, managed, and classified into three reportable segments: Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions, and Nutrition. The Company’s remaining operations are not reportable segments, as defined by the applicable accounting standard, and are classified within either Corporate or Other Business. See Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Note 17. Segment and Geographic Information for further information on the nature of our business and our reportable segments.
The Company’s operations rely on dependable and efficient transportation services, the disruption of which could result in difficulties supplying materials to the Company’s facilities and impair the Company’s ability to deliver products to its customers in a timely manner. The Company relies on access to navigable rivers and waterways in order to fulfill its transportation obligations more effectively. In addition, if certain non-agricultural commodity raw materials, such as water or certain chemicals used in the Company’s processing operations, are not available, the Company’s business could be disrupted. Any major lack of available water for use in certain of the Company’s processing operations could have a material adverse impact on operating results. Certain factors which may impact the availability of non-agricultural commodity raw materials are out of the Company’s control including, but not limited to, disruptions resulting from weather, high or low river water conditions, economic conditions, border closures, manufacturing delays or disruptions at suppliers, shortage of materials, interruption of energy supply, and unavailable or poor supplier credit conditions.
Transportation, inflationary impacts, and fluctuations in energy prices could affect the Company’s operating results.
The Company’s operating costs and the selling prices of certain finished products are sensitive to changes in energy prices, inflationary pressures, and certain logistic constraints. The Company’s processing plants are powered principally by electricity, natural gas, and coal. The Company’s transportation operations are partially dependent upon rail access, diesel fuel and other petroleum-based products, as well as on the availability and cost of ocean freight and port operations. Significant increases in the cost or access of these items, including any consequences of inflationary impacts, regulation or taxation of greenhouse gases, has and could in the future adversely affect the Company’s production costs and operating results.
Human capital availability may not be sufficient to effectively support global operations.
ADM’s global operations function with skilled individuals necessary for the processing, warehousing, and shipping of raw materials for products used in other areas of manufacturing or sold as inputs or products to third-party customers. The availability of skilled trade and production workers has been a specific focus for the manufacturing industry. The inability to properly staff manufacturing facilities with skilled trades and hourly labor due to a limited number of qualified resources could negatively impact operations.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
PART I
The Company may fail to realize the benefits of or experience delays in the execution of its strategic priorities.
As part of its broader strategy, the Company is focused on operational excellence and driving targeted cost reductions. The Company has implemented plans to improve the performance of its manufacturing and production facilities, increase operating leverage within the Nutrition segment, and reduce third party spend and selling, general, and administrative expenses. The success of these plans, and any future related plans, depend on a broad range of factors. The Company’s ability to improve its cost structure depends on reducing its manufacturing, delivery and administrative costs, as well as having cost-effective purchasing programs for raw materials, energy and related manufacturing requirements, all of which are subject to risks and uncertainties and may not be successful. The Company’s working capital requirements are directly affected by the price of global commodities, which may fluctuate significantly and change quickly. The implementation of these plans may be more difficult, costly, or time-consuming than expected, and may not result in any or all of the anticipated benefits, which could adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.
In addition, ADM proactively reviews its portfolio of businesses to identify opportunities to simplify and optimize its portfolio and enhance shareholder value. As a result, from time to time, the Company seeks to divest certain of its assets or businesses by selling them or entering into joint ventures. The Company’s ability to successfully complete a divestiture or joint venture transaction will depend on, among other things, its ability to identify buyers or joint venture partners that are prepared to acquire and successfully operate such assets or businesses on acceptable terms, and on the Company's ability to adjust and optimize its retained businesses following the divestiture. These transactions may involve unanticipateddelays, costs, and other problems, and senior management may be required to divert attention away from other aspects of ADM’s businesses to address these problems.
The Company is also focused on organic and inorganic growth and its success in achieving growth could be adversely affected by a broad range of risks that could result in increased costs, decreased revenues, and delayed synergies. ADM’s growth also depends in part on innovation in products, processes and services. The Company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of its R&D efforts and other investments depends on a variety of factors, and may not result in new products and services at a rate or of a quality sufficient to gain market acceptance. In addition, the markets for these products may not develop or grow as the Company anticipates. Growth in new geographies outside the U.S. can expose the Company to volatile economic, political, and regulatory risks that may negatively impact its operations and ability to achieve its growth strategy. Expanding businesses where the Company has limited presence may expose the Company to risks related to the inability to identify an appropriate partner or target and favorable terms, inability to retain/hire strategic talent, or integration risks that may require significant management resources that would have otherwise been available for ongoing growth or operational initiatives.
Acquisitions may involve unanticipateddelays, costs, and other problems. Due diligence performed prior to an acquisition may not identify a material liability or issue that could impact the Company’s reputation or adversely its affect results of operations resulting in a reduction of the anticipated acquisition benefits or an increase in unexpected liabilities. Additionally, acquisitions may involve integration risks such as: internal control effectiveness, system integration risks, the risk of impairment charges related to goodwill and other intangibles, ability to retain acquired employees, and other unanticipated risks. The Company may fail to realize the operational or financial benefits expected from acquisitions, which may impact the Company’s growth strategy.
The Company has limited control over, may not realize the expected benefits of, and may be required to write down, its equity investments and joint ventures, and may not be able to monetize the investments at an attractive value when the Company decides to exit the investments.
The Company has invested in or advanced funds to joint ventures and investments over which the Company has limited control as to governance and management activities (see Part II. Item 8. Note 8. Investments in and Advances to Affiliates for investment balances and related net sales amounts). Risks related to these investments may include: the financial strength of the investment partner; loss of revenues and cash flows, and related gross profit, to the investment partner; the inability to implement beneficial management strategies, including risk management and compliance monitoring, with respect to the investment’s activities; the risk that the Company may not be able to resolvedisputes with the partners; the continued fit of such investments relative to the Company’s strategies; and the risk that the Company may not realize the operational or financial benefits expected from the investment. The Company may encounter unanticipated operating issues, financial results, or compliance and reputational risks related to these investments.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
PART I
The Company faces risks related to health epidemics, pandemics, and similar outbreaks.
The Company could be materially impacted in the future if a health epidemic, pandemic, or similar outbreak would arise causing severedisruptions. In such circumstances, ADM may be unable to perform fully on its contractual obligations, critical global supply chain and logistical networks may be affected, and costs and working capital needs may increase. These cost increases may not be fully recoverable or adequately covered by insurance. In addition, demand for certain products that ADM produces, particularly biofuels and ingredients that go into food and beverages that support the food services channels, could be materially impacted from a prolonged regional or global outbreak, leading to government-imposed lockdowns, quarantines, or other restrictions.
Geopolitical Risks
The Company faces risks related to international conflicts, acts of terrorism, war, other geopolitical events, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, maritime piracy, and other economic disruptions.
ADM’s assets and operations could be subject to extensive property damage, business disruption, loss in value, nationalization, and expropriation as a result of geopolitical conflicts, acts of terrorism (e.g. purposeful adulteration of the Company’s products), war, and piracy, as well as any sanctions or embargoes resulting from these events. These events can disrupt trade flows, damage infrastructure, limit access to raw materials, reduce customer demand, or impede the Company’s ability to operate facilities or move product. They also may trigger macroeconomic volatility, including fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates, and foreign exchange rates, which can negatively affect margins, inventory values, and hedging positions. Further, compliance with rapidly evolving sanction regimes may require operational adjustments and could increase the risk of inadvertentviolations.
For example, ADM’s assets and operations located in the region affected by the conflict between Russia and Ukraine are at an increased risk of property damage, inventory loss, business disruption, and expropriation. The Black Sea region is a major exporter of wheat and corn to the world, and the disruption of supply may continue to cause volatility in volumes, prices, and margins of these commodities and related products. Further, there is a risk that ADM and its related parties could trade with a sanctioned partner due to the number of sanctions taken against Russia. The Company could be materially impacted if, in the worst-case scenario, the conflict in Ukraine advances to other countries.
Trade receivables may be at risk of higher defaults, and other third-party risks could affect ADM’s ability to obtain inputs if suppliers are unable to perform or face insolvency, as certain supplies may not be attainable due to sanctions and/or restrictions on cross-border payment transactions. As the Company continues to monitor geopolitical developments, shipping routes are adjusted accordingly as increased use of technology, including drones, has provided pirates with enhanced capabilities to identify and target vessels. Most attacks on ships in high-risk areas result in boarding, which poses significant safety and security risks to crew and cargo. Piracy and related maritime threats could negatively impact the Company. Crew extractions, potential ransom payments, lease obligations, and expenses related to rerouting vessels to circumvent high-risk areas may result in financial loss. Furthermore, disruptions in shipping schedules may be impacted for an extensive period. In these circumstances, trade policies and the Company’s critical global supply chain and logistical networks could be affected, impairing the Company’s ability to satisfy contractual obligations, and impacting working capital requirements. Insurance may not adequately cover these risks. In addition, provisions for certain products that ADM produces, particularly those that support the food services channels, could be materially impacted.
Geopolitical risks could disrupt global markets and negatively impact the Company’s business and financial results.
The Company is subject to geopolitical, economic and other risks of doing business globally. The Company’s operating results could be affected by political instability and by changes in monetary, fiscal, trade, and environmental policies, laws, regulations, and acquisition approval schemes, creating risks including, but not limited to: changes in a country’s or region’s economic or political conditions; burdensome local labor conditions and regulations, and safety and environmental regulations; reduced protection of intellectual property rights; changes in the regulatory or legal environment; restrictions on currency exchange activities; currency exchange fluctuations; burdensome taxes and trade tariffs; limited enforceability of legal agreements and judgments; adverse tax audit assessments, administrative agency or judicial outcomes; and regulation or taxation of greenhouse gases. International risks and uncertainties, including changing social and economic conditions as well as terrorism, political hostilities, and war, could limit the Company’s ability to transact business in these markets.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
PART I
The Company has historically benefited from the free flow of agricultural and food and feed ingredient products from the U.S. and other sources to markets around the world. Increases in tariff and restrictive trade policies around the world has, and could, negatively impact the Company’s ability to enter certain markets or the price of products may become less competitive in those markets. For example, the Company’s results of operations were impacted by changes in and uncertainty relating to global trade and tariffs in 2025, and the resulting trade flow disruptions, such as U.S. soybean trade with China, as well as the deferral of U.S. biofuel policy with respect to renewable volume obligations (RVO), and the resulting uncertainty which impacted demand for soybean oil and other feedstocks.
Environmental, Social, and Governance Risks
The Company is subject to a wide range of food safety and quality, manufacturing and labeling, occupational health and safety, environmental, and other regulatory requirements which may expose the Company to certain regulatory or reputational risks.
The Company’s business depends on the quality and safety of the agricultural commodities, ingredients, food, feed, nutritional products, and other products it sources, manufactures, processes, stores, transports, and sells. As a result, the Company is exposed to a wide range of food quality and safety risks. ADM must comply with U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state, and local regulations on food safety, quality, manufacturing and labeling. Certain of the Company’s products may require regulatory approvals, pre‑market notifications, or ongoing compliance with evolving or uncertain regulatory frameworks in multiple jurisdictions. Further, regulatory scrutiny and standards in the food, feed, and nutrition sectors continue to evolve, such as the ongoing review by regulatory authorities in the EU and other jurisdictions of the safety and permitted uses of specified chemicals. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or changes in regulatory interpretations, standards, or enforcement priorities could restrict the Company’s ability to manufacture, market, or sell certain products, increase compliance costs, or require product reformulation or withdrawal from certain markets, and could subject ADM to substantial fines, administrative sanctions, criminalpenalties, litigation, and other liabilities, as well as damage to its reputation. The Company’s liability which could result from noncompliance and other risks may not be covered by, or could exceed liability insurance related to product liability and food safety matters.
The Company also is subject to extensive U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state, and local occupational health and safety, environmental and other regulatory requirements. Any failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations may subject ADM to substantial fines, administrative sanctions, criminalpenalties, revocations of operating permits and/or shutdowns of its facilities, litigation, and other liabilities, as well as damage to its reputation. Further, ADM may be subject to environmental liabilities for past operations at current facilities and in some cases to liabilities for past operations at facilities that it no longer owns, operates or uses. The Company may also be subject to liabilities for operations of acquired companies. The Company’s operational activities can also result in seriousaccidents that could result in personal injuries, facility shutdowns, reputational harm to our business and/or require the expenditure of significant amounts to remediate safety issues or repair damaged facilities.
The Company is subject to various evolving regulations related to ESG matters which impacts the Company’s business and strategies, and could adversely affect its reputation, business and results of operations.
The Company is subject to various evolving, and sometimes inconsistent, United States federal, state, local and non-U.S. regulations related to ESG matters, including regulations related to the production of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Some of these regulations establish specific metrics, targets, and disclosure frameworks for a variety of ESG issues, including environmental sustainability, supply chain labor practices, deforestation, workforce health and safety, proper handling of chemicals or materials, among others. Compliance with these changing and sometimes divergent ESG laws in a timely manner could, among other things, increase raw material, administrative, compliance or other costs, require the Company to make changes to its business operations or strategies, or require the Company to make additional investments in its facilities or equipment. Further, it is difficult to predict the potential impact and timing of any new or additional legislation, regulations or agreements related to climate change or other ESG matters.
The Company has programs and policies in place that are aimed at expanding responsible practices while reducing its environmental footprint. The Company has also established ESG related goals and objectives. The Company may be required to make investments and incur costs to implement these programs and policies that are significant or higher than anticipated,
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PART I
ADM may not be able to achieve the goals and objectives, and ADM may not realize, on a timely basis or at all, the anticipated benefits of these investments and actions, any of which could adversely impact the Company’s reputation and business.
The Company’s carbon capture and storage (CCS) operations, through which ADM is able to capture and store CO2, are also subject to potential risks and uncertainties, including complying with complex and evolving regulations, obtaining and maintaining permits and regulatory approvals, and managing operational challenges, which could have an adverse effect on its reputation, business and results of operations. ADM is currently diversifying and scaling its CCS operations to capture and store greater amounts of CO2, which may not be successful and are subject to similar risks and uncertainties.
The Company’s goals and stakeholder expectations relating to ESG-related matters and sustainable practices may expose the Company to increased costs, reputational harm and other risks.
The Company has established and publicly announced certain goals and strategies related to sustainable practices and other ESG-related issues, which may be refined in the future. The execution of the Company’s strategy to achieve these goals is subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which may be outside of ADM’s control and may prove to be more costly than anticipated. Any failure, or perceived failure, to achieve these goals or the setting or publication of certain goals or objectives could damage the Company’s reputation or may expose the Company to regulatory risks. Additionally, recent changes to governmental and investor perspectives on ESG matters could affect the Company's ability to pursue its sustainability and ESG-related goals and the Company may face criticism as a result of ‘anti-ESG’ sentiment among certain stakeholders, which may adversely impact the Company’s reputation, business, cash flows, and results of operations.
Financial Risks
Limitations on access to external financing could adversely affect the Company’s operating results due to its capital-intensive nature.
The Company requires significant capital, including continuing access to credit markets, to operate its current business and fund its growth strategy. The Company’s working capital requirements, including margin requirements on open positions on futures exchanges, are directly affected by the price of agricultural commodities, which may fluctuate significantly and change quickly. The Company also requires substantial capital to maintain and upgrade its extensive network of storage facilities, processing plants, refineries, mills, ports, transportation assets, and other facilities to keep pace with competitive developments, technological advances, regulations, and changing safety standards in the industry. Moreover, the expansion of the Company’s business and pursuit of acquisitions or other business opportunities may require significant amounts of capital. Access to credit markets and pricing of the Company’s capital is dependent upon maintaining sufficient credit ratings from credit rating agencies. Strong credit ratings allow the Company to access cost-competitive tier one commercial paper markets. As of December 31, 2025, the three major credit rating agencies maintained the Company’s credit ratings at investment grade levels with a negative outlook. Further watches, reviews or downgrades could occur. If the Company is unable to maintain sufficiently high credit ratings, access to these commercial paper and other debt markets and costs of borrowings could be adversely affected. If the Company is unable to generate sufficient cash flow or maintain access to adequate external financing, including as a result of significant disruptions in the global credit markets, it could restrict the Company’s current operations and its growth opportunities.
Strategic and Economic Risks
Agricultural commodities, agricultural commodity products, and non-agricultural commodity raw materials the Company procures, transports, stores, processes, and merchandises can be affected by various factors beyond the Company’s control.
The availability and prices of agricultural commodities are subject to wide fluctuations, including impacts from factors outside the Company’s control such as changes in market conditions, weather conditions, crop disease, plantings, government programs and policies, including global trade, renewable energy/biofuel policies and other regulatory considerations, climate change, competition, and changes in global demand, which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results. Additionally, the Company depends globally on agricultural producers to ensure an adequate supply of the agricultural commodities.
Reduced supply of agricultural commodities and rising costs of non-agricultural commodity raw materials could adversely affect the Company’s profitability by increasing the cost of raw materials and/or limiting the Company’s ability to procure, transport, store, process, and merchandise agricultural commodities and products in an efficient manner. High and volatile
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
PART I
commodity and non-agricultural commodity prices can place more pressures on short-term working capital funding. Conversely, if supplies are abundant and crop production globally outpaces demand for more than one or two crop cycles, price volatility is somewhat diminished. This could result in reduced operating results due to the lack of supply chain dislocations and reduced market spread and basis opportunities.
The Company has certain finished products, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which are closely related to, or may be substituted for, petroleum products, or in the case of ethanol, blended into gasoline to increase octane content. Therefore, the selling prices of ethanol and biodiesel can be impacted by the selling prices of gasoline, diesel fuel, and other octane enhancers. A significant decrease in the price of gasoline, diesel fuel, or other octane enhancers could result in a significant decrease in the selling price of the Company’s ethanol and biodiesel. The Company may use derivative contracts as anticipatory hedges for both purchases and sales of commodities to protect itself in the near term against price changes and to protect and maximize processing margins, but there can be no assurance that any derivative contracts entered into by the Company will have those effects.
The Company is subject to risks relating to global and regional economic downturns, which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.
A significant downturn in the global economy could lead to reduced demand for agricultural commodities and food products, which could adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations. Beyond the United States, the Company has significant operations in both developed areas and emerging market areas. One of the Company’s strategies is to expand the global reach of its core model, which may include expanding or developing its business in emerging market areas. Both developed and emerging market areas are subject to impacts of economic downturns, including decreased demand for the Company’s products, and reduced availability of credit, or declining credit quality of the Company’s suppliers, customers, and other counterparties. In addition, emerging market areas could be subject to more volatile operating conditions including, but not limited to, logistics limitations or delays, labor-related challenges, epidemic outbreaks and economic recovery, limitations or regulations affecting trade flows, local currency concerns, and other economic and political instability. Political fiscal instability could generate intrusive regulations in emerging markets, potentially creating unanticipated assessments of taxes, fees, increased risks of corruption, etc. Economic downturns and volatile market conditions could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and ability to execute its long-term business strategies.
The Company has significant competition in the markets in which it operates and is subject to industry-specific risks which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.
The Company faces significant competition in each of its businesses and has numerous competitors, who can be different depending upon each of the business segments in which it participates. Competition impacts the Company’s ability to generate and increase its gross profit as a result of the following factors:
– Pricing of the Company’s products is partly dependent upon industry processing capacity, which is impacted by competitor actions to bring idled capacity on-line, build new production capacity or execute aggressive consolidation;
– Many of the products bought and sold by the Company are global commodities or are derived from global commodities that are highly price competitive and, in many cases, subject to substitution;
– Significant changes in exchange rates of foreign currencies versus the U.S. dollar, particularly the currencies of major crop growing countries, could also make goods and products of these countries more competitive than U.S. products;
– Improved yields in different crop growing regions may reduce the reliance on origination territories in which the Company has a significant presence; and
– Continued merger and acquisition activities resulting in further consolidations could result in greater cost competitiveness and global scale of certain players in the industry, especially when acquirers are state-owned and have profit and return objectives that may differ from private sector enterprises.
In addition, the competitive dynamics of the Company’s markets are subject to geopolitical and related risks, including the governments of countries and regions working with ADM's competitors to address trade flow restrictions or develop their own local or regional capacity.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
PART I
The Company competes for the acquisition of inputs such as raw materials, transportation services, and other materials and supplies, as well as for workforce and talent. The Company is also subject to industry-specific risks which include but are not limited to: launch of new products by other industries that can replace the functionalities of the Company’s production; shifting consumer preferences; and product safety and quality. For example, changes in consumer health or dietary preferences could reduce demand for food products that contain sweeteners, such as high fructose corn syrup, edible oils, genetically modified products, and/or other processed ingredients, which could negatively impact our sales and profitability.
In the case of the Nutrition business, while maintaining efficient and cost-effective operations are important, the ability to drive innovation and develop quality nutritional and wellness solutions for human and animal needs are key factors to remain competitive in the nutrition market. Certain of the Company’s merchandised commodities and finished products are used as ingredients in livestock and poultry feed. The Company is subject to risks associated with economic, product quality, feed safety or other factors which may adversely affect the livestock and poultry businesses, including the outbreak of disease in livestock and poultry, for example African swine fever, which could adversely affect demand for the Company’s products used as ingredients in feed. In addition, ADM’s investment in the flavors and ingredients businesses exposes the Company to risks related to innovation, adaptation, and product claims to meet the changing requirements of its customers.
The Company’s risk management strategies may not be effective.
The Company has a Chief Risk Officer who oversees the Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) Program and regularly reports to the Board of Directors through the Audit Committee, which assists the Board in its oversight of the Company's ERM program, on the myriad of risks facing the Company and the Company’s strategies for mitigating those risks. The Company’s business is affected by, among other things, geopolitical and market risks, including fluctuations in agricultural commodity cash prices and derivative prices, transportation costs, energy prices, interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, and equity markets, as well as operational and other disruptions, and compliance and regulatory exposures. The Company’s risk management efforts may not be successful at detecting a significant risk exposure, and such exposure could adversely affect the Company’s operating results.
Regulatory Risks
The Company is subject to numerous laws, regulations, and mandates globally which could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and forward strategy.
The Company does business globally, connecting crops and markets in over 180 countries, and is required to comply with laws and regulations administered by the United States federal government as well as state, local, and non-U.S. governmental authorities in numerous areas including: accounting and income taxes, anti-corruption, anti-bribery, global trade, trade sanctions, privacy and security, environmental, product compliance and safety, and handling and production of regulated substances. Any failure of the Company to comply with these laws and regulations could impact the Company’s reputation, subject the Company to significant liabilities, and adversely affect the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as its overall strategy.
Risks relating to regulations specifically affecting the agricultural sector and related industries, as well as those that affect the Company’s other business and practices, could adversely affect the Company’s business, reputation and operating results.
Agricultural production and trade flows are subject to government policies, mandates, regulations, and trade agreements, including taxes and tax credits, tariffs, duties, subsidies, incentives, foreign exchange rates, and import and export restrictions, including policies related to genetically modified organisms, traceability standards, sustainable practices, product safety and labeling, renewable fuels, low carbon fuel mandates, and technology related to energy production and/or emissions reductions. These policies can influence the planting of certain crops; the location and size of crop production; whether unprocessed or processed commodity products are traded; the volume and types of imports and exports; the availability and competitiveness of feedstocks as raw materials; the viability and volume of production of certain of the Company’s products; and industry profitability. For example, changes in government policies, tax credits, and/or regulation of ethanol and biodiesel, including, but not limited to, the Clean Fuels Production Tax Credit and the related "45Z" tax credit and the Renewable Fuel Standard under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 in the United States, including the treatment of small refinery exemptions, can have an impact on the Company’s operating results. In particular, the Company's ability to generate significant 45Z tax credits relating to its CCS operations and other initiatives, is subject to risks and uncertainties, including CCS regulatory and
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
PART I
operational challenges, and 45Z tax credit process and compliance risks, and could have an adverse effect on its reputation, business, and results of operations. International trade regulations can adversely affect agricultural commodity trade flows by limiting or disrupting trade between countries or regions. Further, government regulations and/or policies relating to the type of fats, sugars, and grains consumed, as well as changes in customer preferences, can also negatively impact demand for the Company’s ingredients and/or products.
The Company is also subject to certain additional financial and commodities market and insurance-related regulations due to its futures commission merchant business, agricultural commodity risk management practices, and captive insurance provider. These regulations include customer protection, capital and financial responsibility requirements, transaction reporting, risk-management practices, margin and collateral standards, anti-money-laundering and sanctions compliance, and other requirements, such as those imposed by Commodity Futures Trading Commission regulations, the Dodd-Frank Act, Consumer Protection Act, and the European Market Infrastructure Regulation. These requirements are complex, evolving and differ in respects from the regulatory requirements to which the Company's other businesses are subject. Any failure of the Company to comply with these laws and regulations could impact the Company's reputation, and adversely affect the Company’s futures commission merchant business and its agricultural commodity risk management practices, or captive insurance provider. Future government policies may adversely affect the supply of, demand for, and prices of the Company’s products; adversely affect the Company’s ability to deploy adequate hedging programs; restrict the Company’s ability to do business in its existing and target markets; and adversely affect the Company’s revenues and operating results.
The Company’s strategy involves expanding the volume and diversity of crops it merchandises and processes, expanding the global reach of its core model, expanding its value-added product portfolio, and expanding the sustainable agriculture programs and partnerships in which it participates. Government policies including, but not limited to, antitrust and competition law, trade restrictions, food safety regulations, sustainability requirements, and traceability, can impact the Company’s ability to successfully execute this aspect of its strategy. Certain compliance and other risks to the Company may be heightened in emerging markets.
Changes in tax laws or exposure to additional tax liabilities could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
The Company is subject to income taxes as well as non-income taxes in various jurisdictions throughout the world. ADM’s effective tax rates could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings by jurisdiction, changes in tax laws, tax rate changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and material adjustments from tax audits. The Company frequently faces challenges from U.S. and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due including questions regarding the timing, amount of deductions, the allocation of income among various tax jurisdictions. The outcomes of these challenges could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations and financial condition in the periods in which they are recognized.
Further, legislatures and taxing authorities in many jurisdictions in which ADM operates may enact changes to their tax rules. The U.S. One Big Beautiful Bill Act ("OBBBA"), which includes significant changes to corporate tax rules, deductions, expensing, and international tax provisions, may affect the Company’s tax position, the timing and amount of deductible expenditures, and the application of credits and incentives. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (the “OECD”), the European Union, and other countries (including countries in which the Company operates) have enacted substantial changes to numerous long-standing tax principles impacting how large multinational enterprises are taxed. In particular, the OECD’s Pillar Two initiative introduced a 15% global minimum tax applied on a country-by-country basis. The U.S., under the current Administration, has opposed the adoption of Pillar Two and other OECD initiatives. While the OECD has reached an agreement with the G7 to exempt U.S. multinationals from certain impacts and it introduced certain related safe harbors, the ultimate impact on the Company remains uncertain due to whether all countries immediately adopt the safe harbors and whether certain Pillar Two reporting obligations remain applicable. Each country must enact the changes to their local laws in order for the rules to go in effect. The implementation of Pillar Two will result in additional mandatory disclosures, which will likely cause additional scrutiny of the Company's tax positions and potentially increased tax assessments.
Changes in administration or shifts in legislative priorities may lead to alterations in the U.S. tax code or may potentially influence the global tax landscape and the Company's compliance requirements related to tariffs and sanctions.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
PART I
Technological Risks
The Company’s inability to successfully upgrade its information and operational technology systems could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, and operational results .
The Company is currently upgrading its technology platforms, including certain ERP systems, with these upgrades expected to occur in phases over the next several years. These upgrades include making changes to legacy systems or acquiring new systems with new functionality, and building new policies, procedures, training programs and monitoring tools. ADM has recently refined its digital strategy and is pivoting away from large global implementations and directing resources to prioritize regional, more agile projects. While the Company expects that this recent pivot will expedite certain upgrades and enhance capabilities cost effectively, there can be no assurance that this approach will yield the expected benefits on a timely basis or at all, or that the Company will not continue to evolve its approach over time. Further, these projects may involve unanticipateddelays, costs, and other problems. The Company’s efforts have required and will continue to require significant investments of human and financial resources. The Company’s strategy for pursuing these upgrades and implementations will likely evolve over time and may increase the time or expense involved in completing these projects.
In implementing system upgrades, the Company may experience significant increases to inherent costs and risks associated with changing and acquiring these systems, policies, procedures and monitoring tools, including capital expenditures, additional operating expenses, demands on management time and other risks and costs of delays or difficulties in transitioning to or integrating new systems policies, procedures, or monitoring tools into its current systems. Any significant disruption or deficiency in the design and implementation of any of these systems may adversely affect the Company’s ability to operate its business, or to maintain effective disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting. These implementations, modifications and upgrades may not result in productivity improvements at a level that outweighs the costs of implementation, or at all. In addition, difficulties with implementing new technology systems, such as ERPs, delays in the Company’s timeline for planned improvements, significant system failures or the Company’s inability to successfully modify its technology systems, policies, procedures or monitoring tools to respond to changes in its business needs in the past have caused and in the future may cause disruptions in the Company’s business operations, increase security risks, including the risk of cybersecurity breaches, and may have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Information and operational technology systems are subject to interruptions or failures which may affect the Company’s ability to conduct its business.
The Company’s operations rely on certain key technology systems, some of which are dependent on services provided by third parties, to provide critical data connectivity, information, and services for internal and external users. These interactions include, but are not limited to: ordering and managing materials from suppliers; risk management activities; converting raw materials to finished products; inventory management; shipping products to customers; processing transactions; summarizing and reporting financial results of operations; human resources benefits and payroll management; and complying with regulatory, legal or tax requirements. Additionally, a significant portion of the Company’s technology environment used to support significant business functions consists of legacy systems, some of which were implemented many years ago, are highly customized, or are integrated with newer technologies. The instability of aging legacy systems could diminish performance and elevate the risk of system failures, reduce compatibility with modern software, and impact growth initiatives.
The Company’s systems, processes, and sites are subject to cybersecurity and other incidents, which could expose the Company to operational and various regulatory risks.
Like other large multi-national corporations, the Company and third parties with which the Company conducts business are subject to a wide range of cybersecurity risks relating to their systems and data. The Company and these third parties regularly experience cyber-attacks and incidents, some of which (including email phishing attacks on email systems) have adversely impacted the Company, and the Company expects to continue to be subject to such attacks. These attacks may include phishing, state-sponsored cyber-attacks, industrial espionage, insider threats, computer denial-of-service attacks, computer viruses, ransomware and other malware, payment fraud or other cyber incidents. Increased IT security and social engineering threats and more sophisticated computer crime, including advanced persistentthreats, pose a potential risk to the security of the Company’s technology systems, networks, and services, as well as the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of the Company’s third-party data. The Company is subject to a variety of laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions regarding artificial intelligence (AI), privacy, data protection, and data security, including those related to the
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
PART I
collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer, and security of personal data. Compliance with and interpretation of various data privacy regulations continue to evolve, and any violation could subject the Company to legal claims, regulatory penalties, and damage to its reputation.
If the Company’s systems are breached, damaged, or cease to function properly due to any number of causes, such as catastrophic events, power outages, security breaches, or cyber-based attacks, and the Company’s recovery efforts do not effectively mitigate the risks on a timely basis, the Company may suffer significant interruptions in its ability to manage its operations, loss of valuable data, actual or threatened legal actions, and damage to its reputation, which may adversely impact the Company’s revenues, operating results, and financial condition.
The Company is subject to various technical, legal, and opportunistic-related risks relating to use of artificial intelligence and other emerging digital technologies.
The Company continues to focus on leveraging digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (“AI”) and advanced analytics across its operations. The effective design, deployment, governance and oversight of these technologies involve risks and uncertainties that could adversely affect the Company’s business, reputation, financial condition and results of operations. The Company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of AI initiatives depends on a number of factors, many of which are outside of its control.
AI systems rely heavily on vast amounts of data, so they require significant investments in data infrastructure, high‑quality data inputs, skilled personnel, cybersecurity safeguards, and ongoing monitoring. If not managed and protected properly, AI systems could heighten risks for data breaches, cybersecurity incidents, model manipulation, or the unauthorized use or disclosure of confidential, proprietary or personal information. AI technology is evolving rapidly with governments and regulatory bodies around the world continuing to introduce new requirements, guidelines, and frameworks related to the responsible use of AI. Compliance with these emerging and changing regulations may require ADM to incur substantial costs and make changes to its business practices and complex adjustments to its AI systems. Furthermore, legal challenges related to intellectual property, liability for AI-driven decisions, and potential misuse of AI present significant risks.
AI systems may fail to perform as expected under certain conditions or become vulnerable to adversarial attacks that manipulate the AI’s output. As AI becomes more integrated into the Company’s operations, the risks of system failure or malfunction increase, which could disrupt business processes. The rapid pace of AI development requires specialized talent and resources to design, implement, and maintain AI systems. The shortage of skilled AI professionals presents a risk to the Company’s ability to effectively develop and leverage AI technologies. Additionally, the complexity of AI systems demands continuous investment, which could strain resources and impact other areas of the business.
Further, the Company’s investments in AI may not achieve expected returns, may take longer than anticipated to generate value, if at all, or may become obsolete due to rapid technological change. In addition, ADM may be adversely affected if it fails to keep pace with the adoption and effective use of AI technologies by its competitors and other industry participants.
Other Risks
The Company is involved in a number of legal proceedings that may result in adverse outcomes.
The Company is involved in a number of legal proceedings that arise from time to time. The outcome of these proceedings is subject to inherent uncertainties. The actual costs to be incurred depend upon many unknown factors and the outcome of some of these proceedings and other contingencies could adversely affect the Company’s operations or could result in excessiveadverseverdicts, fines, or results. Additionally, as the Company has seen in the past, involvement in such lawsuits, investigations and inquiries, and other proceedings, as well as compliance with any settlements or consent decrees that result from those proceedings, could divert management’s attention and resources from other matters, impact the reputation of the Company, and may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial position or operating results.
For more information regarding pending legal proceedings, please see Part I, Item 3, Legal Proceedings and Part II, Item 8, Note 20, Legal Proceedings.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
PART I
Negative publicity has in the past and in the future may adversely affect the Company and the market price of its common stock .
The Company has at times in the past been subject to negative publicity and may in the future face negative publicity. Negative publicity and unfavorable perceptions of the Company have caused and could in the future cause significant declines in the price of the Company’s common stock. Negative publicity can also impact the terms under which some customers and suppliers are willing to continue to do business with the Company and affect the Company’s financial performance or financial condition. In addition, negative publicity or unfavorable perceptions make it more difficult for the Company and its employees to operate, resulting in reduced morale, a potential increase in employee turnover, and difficulty attracting talent. As a result, any new or ongoing negative publicity could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition, and the market price of the Company's common stock.
2025 Strategy
The Company’s goal is to continue to build and sustain long-term value for its shareholders and customers. The Company has established the following priorities to help achieve its goal:
• Focus on execution and cost management – ADM seeks to prioritize operational excellence and drive targeted cost reductions through: (1) boosting plant efficiencies; (2) optimizing operating leverage within the Nutrition segment; and (3) reducing third party spend and selling, general, and administrative expenses.
• Strategic simplification – ADM seeks to enhance returns on invested capital by executing a pipeline of simplification opportunities to optimize our portfolio and organizational structure, including: (1) addressing performance, demand, and capacity challenges; (2) reducing capital expenditures that do not meet the Company’s return objectives; and (3) reducing capability overlaps through synergies, closures, and divestitures.
• Targeted growth investment – ADM seeks to prioritize organic investment in key strategic initiatives, while also ensuring our businesses are ready for the future, including: (1) plant modernization investments; (2) cost optimization investments; and (3) enterprise system and process enhancements.
• Deploy capital with discipline – ADM seeks to prudently invest in opportunities while continuing to return value to shareholders through dividends.
The successful execution of the above priorities is expected to afford ADM the ability to continue investing in future growth that creates value over the long-term. ADM is investing in several key areas such as enhanced nutrition, biotics, biosolutions, precision fermentation, and decarbonization. Each of these development pathways has a different growth profile and timeline for value creation, and each complements our core business and presents the potential for compelling, enduring returns.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ADM has refined its digital strategy and has pivoted away from large global implementations and toward prioritizing regional, more agile projects. The Company is accelerating its data journey while continuing to invest in cybersecurity and network and application resilience. As a result of this strategy refinement, during the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company recognized an impairment charge of $179 million related to previously capitalized internal-use software. See Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. Note 18. Asset Impairment, Exit, and Restructuring Costs for further information.
Sustainability
For more than 120 years, ADM has built its business on the strength of agriculture, innovation, and responsible stewardship. Today, sustainability is a core driver of ADM’s growth strategy, powering innovation, improving resilience, and unlocking new value across the global food system. The crops that ADM turns into an expansive array of products depend on healthy soil, water and air, and as the Company looks to the future, it is advancing efforts that enable and support agriculture and farmers, drive innovation and long-term value, and protect and strengthen vital supply chains.
ADM is focused on scaling regenerative practices in partnership with farmers, supporting them with tools, insights, and financial incentives to help their operations thrive. ADM is innovating to meet growing demand for sustainably sourced, bio-based products, creating new market opportunities for farmers whose crops deliver health, transparency, and environmental benefits. The Company is modernizing its own operations to improveefficiency, enhance competitiveness, reduce emissions, and help build a more resilient supply chain.
Targeted Actions to Deliver Cost Savings
On February 4, 2025, the Company announced targeted actions expected to deliver in excess of a $500 million of cumulative cost savings in the next 3 to 5 years. These include cost optimization and portfolio simplification initiatives designed to help the Company achieve cost efficiencies. See Note 18. Asset Impairment, Exit, and Restructuring Costs of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional information regarding restructuring related charges.
Recent Significant Portfolio Actions
ADM’s recent significant portfolio actions and announcements included:
• The acquisition in January 2025 of Vandamme Hugaria Kft, a 700 metric ton/day non-genetically modified crush and extraction facility based in Hungary. See Note 3. Acquisitions of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
• The closure of the Tres Corações facility based in Brazil, in July 2025. Preparation for the closure resulted in exit and restructuring costs, including impairment of certain assets.
• The launch in September 2025 of a joint venture, Plainsman Company, with PYCO Industries, Inc., a leader in the local agricultural communities it serves, combining its and ADM’s Lubbock, Texas, cottonseed processing capabilities.
• Entered into a definitive agreement in September 2025 with Alltech Inc., a global leader in agriculture, to launch a North American animal feed joint venture to offer an industry-leading range of products and solutions for livestock, equine, backyard and leisure animals.
• Entered into a definitive agreement in December 2025 with Planters Cotton Oil Mill, Inc. (Planters), a premier cottonseed processor, to launch a new cottonseed joint venture. Planters is expected to contribute its crush plant in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, as well as additional origination and storage facilities located in the region, to the joint venture. ADM plans to contribute its Memphis, Tennessee, cottonseed facility. ADM expects to continue operating its Memphis oil refinery as part of the joint venture, while its crushing operations at the Memphis facility are expected to end.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Operating Performance Indicators
The Company is exposed to certain risks inherent to an agricultural-based commodity business. These risks are further described in Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The Company’s Ag Services and Oilseeds and Carbohydrate Solutions segments are principally agricultural commodity-based businesses where changes in selling prices move in relationship to changes in prices of the commodity-based agricultural raw materials. As a result, changes in agricultural commodity prices have relatively equal impacts on both revenues and cost of products sold.
The Company's Nutrition segment primarily utilizes agricultural commodities (or products derived from agricultural commodities) as raw materials. However, in these operations, agricultural commodity market price changes do not necessarily strongly correlate to changes in cost of products sold. As a result, changes in revenues may correspond to changes in margins.
The Company has consolidated subsidiaries in 75 countries. For the majority of the Company’s subsidiaries located outside the United States, the local currency is the functional currency except for certain significant subsidiaries in Switzerland where Euro is the functional currency, and Brazil and Argentina where U.S. dollar is the functional currency. Revenues and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rates for the applicable periods. For the majority of the Company’s business activities in Brazil and Argentina, the functional currency is the U.S. dollar; however, certain transactions, including taxes, occur in local currency and require remeasurement to the functional currency. Changes in revenues are expected to be correlated to changes in expenses reported by the Company caused by fluctuations in the exchange rates of foreign currencies, primarily the Euro, British pound, Canadian dollar, and Brazilian real, as compared to the U.S. dollar.
The Company measures its performance using key financial metrics including net earnings, adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS), margins, segment operating profit, total segment operating profit, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA), and adjusted EBITDA. Some of these metrics are not defined by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP) and should be considered in addition to, and not in lieu of, GAAP financial measures. For more information, see the “ Non-GAAP Financial Measures ” section below.
The Company’s financial results can vary significantly due to changes in factors such as fluctuations in energy prices, weather conditions, crop plantings, government programs and policies, trade policies, changes in global demand, general global economic conditions, changes in standards of living, global production of similar and competitive crops, and geopolitical developments. Due to the unpredictable nature of these and other factors, the Company undertakes no responsibility for updating any forward-looking information contained within this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Year Ended December 31, 2025 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2024
Market Factors Influencing Operations and Results in the Twelve Months Ended December 31, 2025
The Company is subject to a variety of market factors which affect the Company’s operations and results, including those discussed below related to 2025.
In the Ag Services and Oilseeds segment, increased global supplies of grains and oilseeds, higher projected ending stocks-to-use ratios, the deferral of U.S. biofuel policy, the evolving global trade landscape, and logistical and weather challenges resulted in compressed margins. The Ag Services subsegment in North America was impacted by global trade policy uncertainty, though it benefited from the partial return of soybean exports in the fourth quarter of the current year from North America to China. Further, low water levels slowed execution pace; South America Origination was negatively impacted by slower corn farmer selling, and the Black Sea business was negatively impacted by farmer retention and logistical issues due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict escalations. In the Crushing and the Refined Products and Other (RPO) subsegments, the postponement of the implementation of European Union Deforestation Regulation and the deferral of U.S. biofuel and trade policy evolution negatively impacted sales volumes and margins.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In the Carbohydrate Solutions segment, solid domestic and export demand for ethanol, along with lower industry production, helped improveimbalances between production and domestic demand. For the Starches and Sweeteners subsegment, North America saw demand softness in the sweeteners, paper, and corrugated markets. Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) was impacted by higher corn costs and increased competition.
In the Nutrition segment, the Human Nutrition subsegment continued to see growth trends in the Flavors market, as high value categories such as energy drinks and ready to drink beverages continued to perform strongly. Similarly, the Dietary Supplements market continued to grow in line with historical rates and shows expansion opportunities as customer acceptance of postbiotics (heat-stable version of probiotics) allows sales in a larger variety of segments (food and beverage). While tariffs and inflation continue to pose challenges to the Human Nutrition subsegment, clean label and healthier categories are outpacing the broader industry. In the Animal Nutrition subsegment, declining commodity prices continued to support feed ration commodities as well as additive markets, while localized volume softness impacted demand.
Processed volumes by product for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows (in metric tons):
(In thousands)
Change
Oilseeds
Corn
The Company generally operates its production facilities, on an overall basis, at or near capacity, adjusting facilities individually, as needed, to react to the current margin environment and seasonal local supply and demand conditions. The increase in processed oilseeds volumes in 2025 was primarily related to higher volumes in South America due to improved plant reliability, in addition to improved North America crush volumes driven by improved utilization after the restoration of operations at the Company’s Decatur, Illinois facility. The processed corn volumes were consistent year over year.
Federal Clean Fuel Production Credits and Federal Blenders’ and Producers’ Credits
Biodiesel tax incentives have been provided through various U.S. statutes. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 introduced the Clean Fuel Production Credit (IRC Section 45Z or "45Z"). The 45Z credit is effective for fuel produced and sold between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2029 and replaces prior incentives such as the Blenders’ Tax Credit ("BTC") for qualifying fuels. For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company did not generate significant 45Z credits. The Company estimates that the total benefits available under 45Z will be higher in future periods primarily due to changes enacted in the OBBBA.
The BTC was previously the primary regulation, applicable to qualifying biodiesel. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 extended the BTC through December 31, 2024 and established the 45Z effective January 1, 2025, as discussed above. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recorded benefits of $316 million related to the BTC.
Results of Operations
Earnings before income taxes decreased 44% or $1.0 billion, to $1.3 billion. Results in the current year were primarily driven by lower pricing and execution margins. In 2025, the Company recorded $372 million of impairments driven by revaluation losses related to investments in the alternative protein market and the Company's updated investment strategy around startup and development stage companies, $283 million of asset impairment, exit, contingency, restructuring charges, and impairment charges of $179 million related to previously capitalized software, and Wilmar International Limited (“Wilmar”) equity earnings related impacts reflecting a one time remeasurement gain of $254 million and a $163 million penalty charge. In the prior year period, the Company recorded a $461 million impairment of its investment in Wilmar.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Total segment operating profit (a non-GAAP measure) in 2025 decreased 23% or $1.0 billion, to $3.2 billion, primarily driven by lower results in the Ag Services and Oilseeds segment and the Carbohydrate Solutions segment. Total segment operating profit (a non-GAAP measure) in the year ended December 31, 2025 excluded specified items of $236 million that were primarily comprised of asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs, as well as net impacts related to Wilmar. Total segment operating profit (a non-GAAP measure) in the year ended December 31, 2024 excluded asset impairment, restructuring, and net settlement contingencies of $490 million.
Total segment operating profit (a non-GAAP measure) is reconciled to earnings before income taxes, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, in the " Non-GAAP Financial Measures " section below.
Revenues for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, were as follows (in millions):
Change
Ag Services and Oilseeds
Ag Services
Crushing
Refined Products and Other
Total Ag Services and Oilseeds
Carbohydrate Solutions
Starches and Sweeteners
Vantage Corn Processors
Total Carbohydrate Solutions
Nutrition
Human Nutrition
Animal Nutrition
Total Nutrition
Total Segment Revenues
Other Business
Total Revenues
Revenues and cost of products sold in agricultural merchandising and processing businesses are significantly correlated to the underlying commodity prices and volumes. In periods of significant changes in market prices, the underlying performance of the Company is better evaluated by looking at margins since both revenues and cost of products sold, particularly in the Ag Services and Oilseeds segment, generally have a relatively equal impact from market price changes which generally result in an insignificant impact to gross profit.
Revenues decreased $5.3 billion to $80.3 billion driven by lower sales volumes ($2.9 billion) and lower sales prices ($2.3 billion). Lower sales volumes of soybeans, corn, and sorghum were partially offset by higher sales volumes of meal and oils. Lower sales prices of meal, soybeans, and wheat were partially offset by higher sales prices of corn and oils. Ag Services and Oilseeds revenues decreased 7% to $61.6 billion driven by lower sales volumes ($2.8 billion) and lower sales prices ($2.1 billion). Carbohydrate Solutions revenues decreased 4% to $10.7 billion driven by lower sales prices ($330 million) and lower sales volumes ($167 million). Nutrition revenues increased 2% to $7.5 billion driven by higher sales prices ($68 million) and the benefit of a contract cancellation in Health and Wellness ($55 million).
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Cost of products sold decreased $4.5 billion to $75.2 billion driven by lower sales volumes and lower average commodity costs. Manufacturing expenses increased $209 million primarily driven by higher compensation costs, insurance costs, and EMEA energy costs, partially offset by decreases in maintenance costs.
Gross profit decreased $745 million or 13%, to $5.0 billion driven by a decrease in margins of $865 million in Ag Services and Oilseeds, partially offset by a margin increase of $113 million in Nutrition.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased 3% to $3.6 billion primarily driven by decreased third party service costs, due to improved cost management, and lower financing fees related to the Company’s accounts receivable securitization programs, driven by the Company's cash management initiative. The decrease was partially offset by increased compensation costs and provisions for bad debts.
Asset impairment, exit, and restructuring costs decreased $72 million to $473 million. Charges in the current year included $283 million of restructuring charges, primarily driven by $207 million and $46 million of charges within the Nutrition segment and the Ag Services and Oilseeds segment, respectively, and an impairment charge of $179 million, related to previously capitalized software, within Corporate. Charges in the prior year included a $461 million impairment related to the Company's Wilmar equity investment, $43 million of impairments related to customer lists and discontinued trademarks in the Animal Nutrition subsegment, $4 million of reportable segment specific restructuring charges and $23 million of restructuring in Corporate.
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates increased $27 million to $648 million driven by higher earnings from the Company’s investments in Wilmar and Olenex, partially offset by lower earnings in Stratas Foods, Terminal de Grãos Ponta da Montanha S.A., and Mid-America Biofuels. Current year Wilmar earnings included the impact of the Company's share of Wilmar's remeasurement gain of the $254 million and penalty charge of $163 million. See Note 8. Investments in and Advances to Affiliates of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data for additional information.
Interest and investment income decreased $444 million to $118 million, primarily due to revaluation losses of $372 million, driven by $257 million and $115 million within Corporate and the Nutrition segment, respectively, in addition to lower interest income at ADM Investor Services due to lower interest rates.
Interest expense decreased $94 million to $612 million primarily due to improved cash management, driven by decreased expense within Corporate driven by lower use of the Company’s commercial paper borrowing programs, lower interest rates, and favorable settlements of international tax audits, as well as lower interest rates at ADM Investor Services.
Other income - net of $150 million decreased $101 million, driven by lower third party insurance recoveries related to Decatur East and West.
Income taxes of $182 million decreased $294 million. The Company’s effective tax rate for 2025 was 14.5% compared to 21.1% for 2024 . The change in the effective rate was driven primarily by tax treatment of non-recurring items and the Company's geographic mix of earnings.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Segment Operating Profit
Segment operating profit for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was as follows (in millions):
Change
Segment Operating Profit (1)
Ag Services and Oilseeds
Ag Services
Crushing
Refined Products and Other
Wilmar
Total Ag Services and Oilseeds
Carbohydrate Solutions
Starches and Sweeteners
Vantage Corn Processors
Total Carbohydrate Solutions
Nutrition
Human Nutrition
Animal Nutrition
Total Nutrition
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2025, segment operating profit for the Ag Services and Oilseeds, Carbohydrate Solutions and Nutrition segments included a positive impact of timing-related adjustments for incentive compensation payouts of $45 million, $12 million, and $20 million, respectively. The offsetting adjustment of $77 million was recorded in Corporate with no net impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In the Ag Services and Oilseeds segment, segment operating profit decreased 34%. Ag Services subsegment had lower results compared to the prior year, primarily driven by lower Global Trade results, driven by lower margins due to negative freight timing and lower trading results, and a decrease in sales volumes, partially offset by productivity actions, leading to decreased expenses, and improved Transportation results. Ag Services subsegment results were further impacted by decreased North American volumes and margins, driven by lower soybean exports and the impact of certain export duties, improved results in South America, driven by lower costs related to logistics take or pay contracts that negatively impacted the prior year, partially offset by the temporary disruption at a key port facility in Brazil and lower investment income in South America. Ag Services had approximately $37 million of net negative mark-to-market timing impacts during the current year, compared to approximately $34 million of net positive impacts in the prior year. The Crushing subsegment had lower results versus the prior year, driven by lower soy and canola crush margins and higher manufacturing costs in North America and EMEA; in addition to a decrease in insurance proceeds in the current year of $32 million, down from $76 million in the prior year, relating to the Decatur East insurance claim. South America Crushing results improved slightly on higher volumes. Crushing had approximately $46 million of net positive mark-to-market timing impacts during the current year, compared to approximately $20 million of net positive impacts in the prior year. Refined Products and Other subsegment results were lower than the prior year, driven by uncertain trade policy and lower demand for vegetable oil and biodiesel, negatively impacting biodiesel and refining margins in Europe and North America. The Refined Products and Other subsegment had approximately $46 million of net positive mark-to-market timing impacts during the current year, compared to approximately $194 million of net negative impacts in the prior year.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In the Carbohydrate Solutions segment, segment operating profit decreased 12% compared to the prior year. The Starches and Sweeteners subsegment results were lower compared to the prior year driven by lower wet mill ethanol and starch margins and higher manufacturing costs. Prior year results in North America benefitted from the receipt of $84 million of insurance proceeds from the settlement of Decatur West and Decatur East insurance claims compared to $9 million of proceeds received in the current year. In EMEA, results were driven by lower volumes and margins due to the competitive pricing environment and crop quality issues. Global Wheat Milling margins improved due to higher wheat basis gains. The Vantage Corn Processors subsegment results increased compared to the prior year, driven by improved ethanol volumes and margins.
In the Nutrition segment, segment operating profit increased 8%. Human Nutrition subsegment results were lower than the prior year. Flavors results were higher compared to the prior year, driven by higher volumes and margins in North America due to an increase in sales among existing key customers across multiple product categories. Specialty Ingredients results were lower, driven by higher raw material and manufacturing costs due to the resumption of operations at the Decatur East facility. The prior year also benefitted from approximately $71 million of insurance proceeds related to the Decatur East claim as compared to no proceeds in the current year. In Health and Wellness, results were lower as decreased margins, driven by certain negative inventory valuation adjustments and reduced tolling margins due to a contract cancellation, partially offset by higher Biotics margins. Animal Nutrition subsegment results were higher compared to the prior year, driven by cost optimization efforts and improved margins due to higher margin in feed additives and lower raw material costs.
Other Business and Corporate Results
Other Business contribution of operating profit increased 21% from $247 million to $298 million, Captive insurance results improved, driven by lower claim settlements. Current year results included claim payments to segments of $41 million to other segments for the Decatur East and West insurance claims, of which $39 million was from reinsurers, compared to prior year results including partial settlements to segments of $231 million for the Decatur East and West insurance claims, of which $133 million was from reinsurers. ADM Investor Services results were lower due to lower interest rates.
Corporate results were as follows (in millions):
Change
Interest expense - net (1)
Unallocated corporate function costs (2)
Expenses related to acquisitions
Revaluation losses, including impairment, contingency and restructuring charges (3)
Other income - net
Total Corporate
(1) Interest expense - net decreased $74 million, driven by reduced short-term borrowings, lower interest rates on the Company’s commercial paper borrowing programs, and favorable settlements of international tax audits.
(2) Unallocated corporate function costs decreased $59 million, driven by decreases in financing fees related to the Company’s accounts receivable securitization programs, due to improved cash management, in addition to lower third party service costs and lower corporate function costs, due to cost management initiatives, partially offset by increased incentive compensation.
(3) Revaluation losses, including impairment, contingency and restructuring charges increased $472 million driven by $257 million of impairment charges related to market dynamics and the Company's updated investment strategy around startup and development stage companies, an impairment charge of $179 million related to previously capitalized software, and $40 million of charges relating to a legal reserve, all presented as specified items.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company uses certain “non-GAAP” financial measures as defined by the SEC. These are measures of performance not defined by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, 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 section.
The Company uses adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted EPS, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and total segment operating profit, non-GAAP financial measures as defined by the SEC, to evaluate the Company’s financial performance.
Adjusted net earnings is defined as net earnings adjusted for the effects on net earnings of specified items as more fully described in the reconciliation tables. Adjusted diluted EPS is defined as diluted EPS adjusted for the effects on reported diluted EPS of specified items as more fully described in the reconciliation tables.
EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest on borrowings, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest on borrowings, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, adjusted to exclude the impact of specified items as more fully described in the reconciliation tables.
Total segment operating profit is defined as ADM’s consolidated earnings before income taxes, adjusted for Other Business, Corporate, and specified items as more fully described in the reconciliation tables.
Management believes that adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted EPS, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and total segment operating profit 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. Adjusted net earnings, adjusted diluted EPS, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, and total segment operating profit are not intended to replace or be an alternative to net earnings, diluted EPS, and earnings before income taxes, the most directly comparable amounts reported under GAAP.
The table below provides a reconciliation of net earnings (the most directly comparable GAAP measure) to adjusted net earnings (a non-GAAP measure) and diluted EPS (the most directly comparable GAAP measure) to adjusted diluted EPS (a non-GAAP measure) for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
In millions
Per share
In millions
Per share
Average number of shares outstanding - diluted
Net earnings and diluted EPS
Adjustments: (1)
(Gain) on sale of assets and businesses (net of tax of $9 million in 2025 and $3 million in 2024)
Impairment, exit, restructuring charges, and settlement contingencies (net of tax of $154 million in 2025 and $1 million in 2024)
ADM's share of equity method investment non-recurring (gains) and charges, net
Expenses related to acquisitions (net of tax of $2 million in 2024)
(Gain) on contract termination (net of tax of $17 million in 2025)
Certain discrete tax adjustments
Total adjustments
Adjusted net earnings and adjusted diluted EPS
(1) Tax effected using the U.S. and other applicable tax rates.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The table below provides a reconciliation of net earnings (the most directly comparable GAAP measure) to EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) and adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP measure) for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (in millions).
Change
Net earnings
Net loss attributable to non-controlling interests
Income tax expense
Earnings Before Income Taxes
Interest expense (1)
Depreciation and amortization (2)
EBITDA
(Gains) on sale of assets and businesses
Impairment, exit, restructuring charges, and settlement contingencies
ADM's share of equity method investment non-recurring (gains) and charges, net
(Gain) on contract termination
Expenses related to acquisitions
Railroad maintenance expense
Adjusted EBITDA
(1) Represents interest expense on borrowings and therefore excludes ADM Investor Services related interest expense.
(2) Excludes $20 million of accelerated depreciation recorded within restructuring charges as a specified item for the year ended December 31, 2025.
The table below provides a reconciliation of earnings before income taxes (the most directly comparable GAAP measure) to total segment operating profit (a non-GAAP measure) for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 (in millions).
Change
Earnings Before Income Taxes
Other Business (earnings)
Corporate
Specified Items:
(Gains) on sale of assets and businesses
Impairment, exit, restructuring charges, and settlement contingencies
ADM's share of equity method investment non-recurring (gains) and charges, net
(Gain) on contract termination
Total Segment Operating Profit
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's objective is to have sufficient liquidity, balance sheet strength, and financial flexibility to fund the operating and capital requirements of a capital intensive agricultural commodity-based business. The Company depends on access to credit markets, which can be impacted by its credit rating and factors outside of the Company’s control, to fund its working capital needs and capital expenditures.
The primary source of funds to finance the Company’s operations, capital expenditures, and advancement of its growth strategy is cash generated by operations and lines of credit, including a commercial paper borrowing facility and accounts receivable securitization programs. In addition, the Company believes it has access to funds from public and private equity and debt capital markets in both U.S. and international markets.
At December 31, 2025, the Company’s capital resources included shareholders’ equity of $22.7 billion and lines of credit, including the accounts receivable securitization programs described below, totaling $12.3 billion, of which $9.4 billion was unused. Of the Company’s total lines of credit, $5.1 billion supported the commercial paper borrowing programs, against which there was $715 million of commercial paper outstanding at December 31, 2025.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company had $1.0 billion of cash and cash equivalents, $312 million of which is cash held by foreign subsidiaries whose undistributed earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested. Based on the Company’s historical ability to generate sufficient cash flows from its U.S. operations and unused and available U.S. credit capacity of $5.1 billion, the Company has asserted these funds are indefinitely reinvested outside the U.S.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company has total available liquidity of $10.4 billion comprised of cash and cash equivalents and unused lines of credit. The Company believes that cash flows from operations, cash and cash equivalents on hand, and unused lines of credit will be sufficient to meet its ongoing liquidity requirements for at least the next twelve months.
Operating Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities was $5.5 billion, $2.8 billion, and $4.5 billion for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2025 compared to 2024 was due to changes in net working capital, partially offset by lower earnings in the current year. Changes in net working capital were driven by changes in inventory, payables to brokerage customers and segregated investments, partially offset by changes in accrued expenses and other payables.
Changes in inventories resulted in cash inflow of $1.5 billion in the current year reflecting lower commodity pricing and reductions driven by working capital reduction initiatives, compared to an inflow of $162 million in the prior-year, reflecting lower commodity pricing.
Changes in payables to brokerage customers resulted in cash inflow of $1.1 billion in the current year compared to an outflow of $78 million in the prior year. The inflow in the current year is driven by increased trading activity in the Company’s futures commission and brokerage business.
Change in segregated investments resulted in an outflow of $43 million in the current year compared to an outflow of $693 million in the prior year, driven by brokerage customer trading activity.
Changes in accrued expenses and other payables resulted in an outflow of $823 million in the c urrent year period compared to an outflow of $276 million in the prior year perio d, primarily driven by the valuation of derivative contracts.
Investing Cash Flows
Net cash used in investing activities was $1.0 billion, $2.7 billion, and $1.5 billion for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2025 primarily included additions to property, plant and equipment of $1.2 billion, business acquisitions, net of cash acquired of $108 million, proceeds from sales of marketable securities of $277 million, and proceeds from sales of assets, businesses and investments of $111 million.
Net cash used in investing activities for the year ended December 31, 2024 included additions to property, plant and equipment of $1.6 billion, businesses acquired, net of cash acquired of $927 million and purchase of marketable securities of $308 million.
Financing Cash Flows
Net cash used in financing activities was $2.9 billion, $1.5 billion, and $4.6 billion for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
In the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company repaid in full €650 million of 1.000% notes, previously included within Current maturities of long-term debt.
Net cash used in financing activities for the year ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 included net repayments for short-term credit agreements of $1.1 billion and net borrowings of $1.8 billion, respectively.
Dividends paid for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 were $987 million, $985 million, and $977 million, respectively.
No share repurchases were made in the twelve months ended December 31, 2025. Cash paid for share repurchases for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $2.3 billion. As of December 31, 2025, the Company had 115 million shares remaining that may be repurchased under its stock repurchase program until December 31, 2029.
Credit Ratings
As of December 31, 2025, the three major credit rating agencies maintained the Company’s credit ratings at investment grade levels with a negative outlook.
Accounts Receivable Securitization Program
The Company has accounts receivable securitization programs (the “Programs”) with certain commercial paper conduit purchasers and committed purchasers. The Programs provide the Company with up to $3.0 billion in funding against accounts receivable transferred into the Programs and expand the Company’s access to liquidity through efficient use of its balance sheet assets (see Part II. Item 8. Note 19. Sale of Accounts Receivable for more information and disclosures on the Programs). As of December 31, 2025, the Company utilized $2.1 billion of its facility under the Programs.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
In 2026, the Company expects capital expenditures of approximately $1.4 billion and dividend payments of $1.0 billion, subject to other strategic uses of capital and the evolution of operating cash flows and the working capital position throughout the year. The Company’s other material cash requirements within the next 12 months include current maturities of long-term debt of $1.0 billion, interest payments of $527 million, operating lease payments of $357 million, and pension, other postretirement, and defined contribution plan contributions of $119 million.
The Company’s purchase obligations as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 were $13.8 billion and $12.4 billion, respectively. The increase is primarily related to an increase in obligations for commodities. As of December 31, 2025, the Company expects to make payments related to purchase obligations of $12.5 billion within the next twelve months. The Company expects to make payments related to debt and interest, operating leases, purchase obligations and other material cash requirements beyond the next twelve months of approximately $15.3 billion.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The Company’s credit facilities and certain debentures require the Company to comply with specified financial and non-financial covenants including maintenance of minimum tangible net worth as well as limitations related to incurring liens, secured debt, and certain other financing arrangements. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2025.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The process of preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the carrying values of the Company’s assets and liabilities as well as the recognition of revenues and expenses. These estimates and judgments are based on the Company’s historical experience and management’s knowledge and understanding of current facts and circumstances.
Certain of the Company’s accounting estimates are considered critical, as these estimates are important to the depiction of the Company’s financial statements and require significant or complex judgment by management. Critical accounting estimates are those estimates made in accordance with GAAP which involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on ADM’s financial condition and results of operations.
Management has discussed with the Company’s Audit Committee the development, selection, disclosure, and application of these critical accounting estimates. Following are the accounting estimates management considers critical to the Company’s financial statements.
Fair Value Measurements - Inventories and Commodity Derivatives
Description: Certain of the Company’s inventory, inventory-related payables, and commodity derivative assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2025 are valued at estimated fair values, including $6.2 billion of merchandisable agricultural commodity inventories, $822 million of commodity derivative assets, $613 million of commodity derivative liabilities, and $730 million of inventory-related payables. Commodity derivative assets and liabilities include forward purchase and sales contracts for agricultural commodities. Merchandisable agricultural commodities are freely traded, have quoted market prices, and may be sold without significant additional processing.
Judgments and Uncertainties: Management estimates fair value for its commodity-related assets and liabilities based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted for differences in local markets. The Company’s inventory, inventory-related payables, and commodity derivative fair value measurements are mainly based on observable market quotations without significant adjustments and are therefore reported as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Level 3 fair value measurements of approximately $3.2 billion of assets and $329 million of liabilities represent fair value estimates where unobservable price components represent 10% or more of the total fair value price. For more information concerning amounts reported as Level 3, see Part II. Item 8. Note 4. Fair Value Measurements.
Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: Changes in the market values of these inventories and commodity contracts are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a component of cost of products sold. If management used different methods or factors to estimate market value, amounts reported could differ materially. Additionally, if market conditions change subsequent to year-end, amounts reported in future periods could differ materially.
Income Taxes
Description: The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with the applicable accounting standards which prescribe a minimum threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred taxes are recognized for the estimated taxes ultimately payable or recoverable based on enacted tax law. Changes in enacted tax rates are reflected in the tax provision as they occur.
Judgments and Uncertainties: ADM calculates its provision for income taxes based on the statutory tax rates and tax attributes available to the Company in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company uses judgment in evaluating the Company’s tax positions and determining its annual tax provision.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: While ADM considers all of its tax positions fully supportable, the Company faces challenges from U.S. and foreign tax authorities regarding the amount of taxes due. The Company recognizes a tax position in its Consolidated Financial Statements when it is determined to be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on its technical merits. The position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
Business Combinations
Description: The Company’s acquisitions are accounted for in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 805, Business Combinations, as amended. The consideration transferred is allocated to various assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date with the residual allocated to goodwill.
Judgments and Uncertainties: Fair values allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations require management to make significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets. Management makes estimates of fair values based upon assumptions it believes to be reasonable. These estimates are based upon historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies and are inherently uncertain. The estimated fair values related to intangible assets primarily consist of customer relationships, trademarks, and developed technology which are determined primarily using discounted cash flow models. Estimates in the discounted cash flow models include, but are not limited to, certain assumptions that form the basis of the forecasted results (e.g. revenue growth rates, customer attrition rates, and royalty rates). These significant assumptions are forward looking and could be affected by future economic and market conditions.
Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: During the measurement period, which may take up to one year from the acquisition date, adjustments due to changes in the estimated fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed may be recorded as adjustments to the consideration transferred and related allocations. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or the final determination of the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any such adjustments are charged to the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Goodwill Impairment
Description: Goodwill represents the aggregate of the excess consideration paid for acquired businesses over the fair value of the net assets acquired. At December 31, 2025, the Company had goodwill of $4.8 billion. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually on October 1 or more frequently whenever there are indicators that the carrying value may not be fully recoverable, utilizing either the qualitative or quantitative testing method. The Company has seven reporting units with goodwill identified at one level below the operating segment using the criteria in ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). Two reporting units do not have any recorded goodwill. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company evaluated goodwill for impairment using a qualitative assessment for six reporting units and using a quantitative assessment for the Animal Nutrition reporting unit. See Part II. Item 8. Note 9. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets for further information.
Judgments and Uncertainties: The Company has the option to first qualitatively assess factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If the Company elects not to use this option, or it is determined that qualitative factors alone are not sufficient to conclude whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, or it is determined from the qualitative assessment that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then the Company performs the quantitative goodwill impairment test. As part of the Company’s impairment analysis, the fair value of a reporting unit is generally determined using both the income and market approaches. Critical estimates in the determination of the fair value, when using a discounted cash flow analysis, of each reporting unit require management to make assumptions including, but not limited to, future expected cash flows of the reporting unit utilizing appropriate revenue growth, EBITDA margins, and discount rates. A decline in the actual cash flows of a reporting unit in future periods, as compared to the projected cash flows used in the discounted cash flow analysis, could result in the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeding its fair value. Further, a change in the discount rate, as a result of a change in economic conditions or otherwise, could result in the carrying values of the reporting units exceeding their respective fair values. Although the Company believes its estimates of fair value are reasonable, actual financial results could differ from those estimates due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making such estimates.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: The estimated fair value of the Animal Nutrition reporting unit was evaluated to be approximately 15% in excess of its carrying value and no impairment was recorded.
The Company used a combination of the income and market approaches when performing the quantitative assessment of goodwill for the Animal Nutrition reporting unit. The Company weighted the income approach with a probability weight of 75%, as it is based on the future business plans and growth estimates for the Company’s Animal Nutrition business and thus considers short-term and long-term cash flow expectations for the business. The market approach was weighted at 25%, as it represents an estimate of fair value based on market guideline companies for which future growth expectations are not precisely known. The income approach is predicated upon the value of the estimated future cash flows that a business will generate going forward. The Company used the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method under the income approach for the analysis of Animal Nutrition. The market approach assumes that companies operating in the same industry will share similar characteristics and that values will correlate to those characteristics. Therefore, under the market approach, a comparison of the reporting unit to similar companies whose financial information is publicly available may provide a reasonable basis to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit. The two forms of the market approach most commonly applied are the Guideline Public Company (GPC) method and the Guideline Merged and Acquired Company (GMAC) method. The Company utilized the GPC method to estimate the fair value of the Animal Nutrition reporting unit under the market approach. The GMAC method was also considered, but ultimately was not relied upon due to the lack of recent transactions that were directly comparable. In the selection of the appropriate market multiples, the Company considered the performance of the business, the size, risks, opportunities, and a comparison of the margins and growth of the Animal Nutrition business compared to the guideline public companies. The estimated fair value calculated by the GPC method was within 10% of the estimated fair value calculated by the income approach.
The Company performed a sensitivity analysis for the significant assumptions used in the goodwill impairment testing analysis for the Animal Nutrition reporting unit. The sensitivities were calculated in isolation using the income approach and keeping all other assumptions constant. The sensitivities for revenue growth and EBITDA margins do not consider the offsetting impact of a lower discount rate assumption to reflect the reduced risk in estimated future cash flow growth used under the income approach or the related impacts on pricing multiples used under the market approach.
As of December 31, 2025, goodwill allocated to the Animal Nutrition reporting unit totaled $958 million. For Animal Nutrition reporting unit impairment testing, below are certain hypotheticals where a change would result in an impairment:
– Increase to the discount rate of approximately 175 basis points would result in a goodwill impairment of approximately $29 million;
– Decrease to forecasted EBITDA margins of approximately 150 basis points would result in goodwill impairment of approximately $69 million
– Decrease in the forecasted revenue growth rate of approximately 290 basis points would result in goodwill impairment of approximately $1 million.; and
– Increase in the expected capital expenditures as a percentage of revenue over the entire forecast of approximately 100 basis points would result in a goodwill impairment of approximately $181 million.
Investments in Affiliates
Description: The Company applies the equity method of accounting for investments over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, including its 22.5% investment in Wilmar. These investments in affiliates are carried at cost plus equity in undistributed earnings and are adjusted, where appropriate, for amortizable basis differences between the investment balance and the underlying net assets of the investee. Generally, the minimum ownership threshold for asserting significant influence is 20% ownership of the investee. However, the Company considers all relevant factors in determining its ability to assert significant influence including but not limited to, ownership percentage, board membership, customer and vendor relationships, and other arrangements.
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ARCHER-DANIELS-MIDLAND COMPANY
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Judgments and Uncertainties: The Company has evaluated its investments in affiliates as of December 31, 2025 to be appropriately stated at carrying values. The Company also periodically compares the book value of its investment in Wilmar against its market value as determined through quoted market prices, and evaluates for any potential other-than-temporary impairment. The Company’s investment in Wilmar had a carrying value of $4.0 billion as of December 31, 2025, and a market value of $3.4 billion based on the quoted Singapore Exchange market price, converted to U.S. dollars at the applicable exchange rate, at December 31, 2025. The Company evaluated several factors in its determination of whether an other-than-temporary impairment had occurred. This included consideration of the severity and duration of the carrying value being above Wilmar's stock price, the recent performance of Wilmar’s stock price as quoted on the Singapore Exchange, including stock price performance subsequent to the balance sheet date, Wilmar's financial condition and near-term performance prospects, latest consensus analyst forecasts, Wilmar’s long history of earnings and dividends and the Company’s continued representation on Wilmar’s Board. The Company considers its investment in Wilmar a significant and strategic relationship and has the intent and ability to retain its investment in Wilmar for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. Based on the evaluation of the factors above, the Company does not consider the investment to be other-than temporarily impaired at December 31, 2025.
Sensitivity of Estimate to Change: The performance of impairment tests involves the use of estimates and assumptions, which may change period to period. If the Company used different assumptions in the evaluation of its equity method investments, including its investment in Wilmar, the Company may conclude that investments are other-than-temporarily impaired.
Recent accounting pronouncements
See “ New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted ” within Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II. Item 8 for information regarding recent accounting pronouncements.
