Archer Daniels Midland Company Reports First Quarter Earnings of $ .77 Per Share

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20091103005833/en

Company Executed Well; Sees Demand in Key Markets Improving
DECATUR, Ill.--(Business Wire)--
Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE:ADM) today announced earnings of $ 496
million and net sales of $ 14.9 billion for the quarter ended September 30,
2009.

"The ADM team executed well, delivering strong sequential earnings growth," said
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Patricia Woertz."Earnings were
significantly better than the second half of fiscal 2009. As we advance our
growth strategy, we are using our financial strength to build shareholder value.
Looking ahead, we see demand improving in some key markets, and we have the
assets and acumen to capture value as the global economy resets."

* Net earnings attributable to ADM for the quarter ended September 30, 2009,
were $ 496 million -- $ .77 per share, down 53% from last year`s record first
quarter.
* Net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, were $14.9 billion, down
29 %.
* Segment operating profit for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, was $ 774
million, down 34 %.

* Oilseeds Processing profit decreased on lower margins and production.
* Corn Processing profit improved on lower net corn and manufacturing costs.
* Agricultural Services profit decreased due to reduced demand and less volatile
commodity market conditions.
* Other operating profit was materially unchanged. Global wheat milling margins
improved.

* Financial Highlights

(Amounts in millions, except per share data and percentages)
Quarter ended

September 30
2009 2008 % Change
Net sales $ 14,921 $ 21,160 (29 %)
Segment operating profit $ 774 $ 1,176 (34 %)
Net earnings attributable to ADM $ 496 $ 1,045 (53 %)
Earnings per share $ .77 $ 1.62 (52 %)
Average number of shares outstanding 644 645 -

Strategic Investment Activities

To drive earnings growth, the Company advanced its strategy to expand the size
and global reach of its core model:

* The Company began operations at its new cocoa processing facility in Kumasi,
Ghana, improving access to a key growing region.
* The Company acquired five oceangoing vessels, totaling 250,000 metric tons of
cargo capacity, enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of its transportation
network.
* The Company acquired an oilseed processing plant in Olomouc, Czech Republic,
improving access to the Central European market and expanding its origination
footprint.
* The Company began production at its new Columbus, Nebraska, ethanol plant. The
plant`s scale and its integration with the Company`s existing infrastructure
give it a cost-efficient position as the industry meets the increased 2010
ethanol mandate.
* The Company completed construction of its Clinton, Iowa, cogeneration facility
which provides cost-effective process steam and electricity to its adjacent corn
processing complex.
* The Company began production at its first sugarcane ethanol plant in Brazil,
improving its capacity to meet growing Brazilian demand for renewable fuel.

New Accounting Standards

Certain amounts in the prior year`s Consolidated Statements of Earnings, Segment
Operating Analysis, Summary of Financial Condition and Summary of Cash Flows
have been restated and presentation formats have been modified to apply the
requirements of new accounting standards ASC Topic 810 and ASC Topic 470-20.
Effective July 1, 2009, the Company adopted this amended guidance which requires
retrospective application to all periods presented.

Discussion of Operations

Net sales decreased 29 % to $ 14.9 billion primarily due to decreased average
selling prices and, to a lesser extent, foreign exchange translation impacts.
Average selling prices decreased in line with year-over-year declines in
underlying commodity costs. There were no material changes in overall sales
quantities.

A summary of segment operating profit and net earnings is as follows:

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008 Change

Oilseeds Processing $ 284 $ 510 $ (226 )
Corn Processing 188 118 70
Agricultural Services 175 428 (253 )
Other 127 120 7
Segment operating profit 774 1,176 (402 )
Corporate (57 ) 310 (367 )
Earnings before income taxes 717 1,486 (769 )
Income taxes (220 ) (440 ) 220
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 497 1,046 (549 )
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests (1 ) (1 ) -
Net earnings attributable to ADM $ 496 $ 1,045 $ (549 )

Net earnings attributable to ADM decreased $ 549 million, due principally to the
$ 402 million decrease in segment operating profit and the reduced impact on
Corporate results of the change in LIFO inventory valuations. Income taxes
decreased due principally to decreased pretax earnings, partially offset by an
increased effective tax rate resulting from changes in the geographic mix of
pretax earnings.

Oilseeds Processing Operating Profit

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008 Change

Crushing and origination $ 135 $ 339 $ (204 )
Refining, packaging, biodiesel and other 70 106 (36 )
Asia 79 65 14
Total Oilseeds Processing $ 284 $ 510 $ (226 )

Oilseeds Processing operating profit decreased $ 226 million. Crushing and
origination results declined $ 204 million due to lower production volumes
resulting from a short global soybean supply. Crushing margins and fertilizer
results decreased from high prior-year levels as demand was weaker.

Refining, packaging, biodiesel and other operating profit decreased $ 36
million, due principally to lower sales volumes in North America and reduced
biodiesel margins in Europe and South America.

Oilseeds results in Asia increased $ 14 million as the Company`s investments,
principally the equity interest in Wilmar International Limited, continued to
perform well.

Corn Processing Operating Profit

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008 Change

Sweeteners and starches $ 194 $ 65 $ 129
Bioproducts (6 ) 53 (59 )
Total Corn Processing $ 188 $ 118 $ 70

Corn Processing operating profit increased $ 70 million. Sweeteners and starches
operating profit increased $ 129 million due to lower net corn and manufacturing
costs and higher year-over-year average sweetener selling prices.

Bioproducts operating profit decreased $ 59 million. Ethanol selling prices
decreased due to lower gasoline prices and decreased gasoline demand.
Bioproducts results were also negatively impacted by low lysine selling prices
and by increased startup costs related to the Company`s industrial chemicals and
sugar businesses.

Agricultural Services Operating Profit

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008 Change

Merchandising and handling $ 157 $ 385 $ (228 )
Transportation 18 43 (25 )
Total Agricultural Services $ 175 $ 428 $ (253 )

Agricultural Services operating profit decreased $ 253 million. Merchandising
and handling results were lower than the year-ago quarter due to reduced demand
resulting from the weaker global economy and less volatile commodity market
conditions. Transportation results declined due to lower barge freight rates and
reduced northbound barge activity.

Other Operating Profit

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008 Change

Processing $ 107 $ 103 $ 4
Financial 20 17 3
Total Other $ 127 $ 120 $ 7

Other operating profit increased $ 7 million. Other processing operating profit
increased $ 4 million as improved global wheat milling margins and Gruma S.A.B.
de C.V. equity earnings were partially offset by a decline in cocoa processing
margins and sales volumes. Results for the quarter ended September 30, 2008,
included $12 million of profit related to the Company`s malting business which
was disposed of on July 31, 2008.

Other financial operating profit increased $ 3 million for the quarter, due to
improved captive insurance results partially offset by weaker results of the
Company`s brokerage services business caused by the low short-term interest rate
environment.

Corporate Results

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008 Change

LIFO income $ 76 $ 453 $ (377 )
Investment (expense)/income - net (65 ) (29 ) (36 )
Gain/(loss) on security transactions 11 (9 ) 20
Corporate costs (69 ) (94 ) 25
Other (10 ) (11 ) 1
Total Corporate $ (57 ) $ 310 $ (367 )

Corporate results decreased $ 367 million. Market prices for LIFO-based
inventories were generally lower resulting in a decrease in LIFO inventory
reserves of $76 million compared to a $453 million decrease in last year`s
quarter. Investment expense - net increased $ 36 million reflecting a decrease
in interest income caused by lower short-term rates and lower working capital
requirements of the operating segments. Corporate costs were down $ 25 million
as employee-related costs and provisions for doubtful accounts decreased.

Conference Call Information

Archer Daniels Midland Company will host a conference call and audio webcast at
8:00 a.m. Central Time on Tuesday, November 3, 2009, to discuss financial
results and provide a Company update. In addition, a financial summary slide
presentation will be available to download approximately 60 minutes prior to the
call. To listen to the call via the Internet or to download the slide
presentation, go to www.adm.com/webcast. To listen by telephone, dial
800-901-5247 or 617-786-4501; the access code is 76474255. Replay of the call
will be available beginning at 11:00 a.m. Central Time on November 3 to November
10, 2009. To listen to the replay by telephone, dial 888-286-8010 or
617-801-6888; the access code is: 25626820. To listen to the replay online,
visit www.adm.com/webcast.

Every day, the 28,000 people of Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) turn
crops into renewable products that meet the demands of a growing world. At more
than 230 processing plants, we convert corn, oilseeds, wheat and cocoa into
products for food, animal feed, chemical and energy uses. We operate the world`s
premier crop origination and transportation network, connecting crops and
markets in more than 60 countries. Our global headquarters is in Decatur,
Illinois, and our net sales for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009, were $69
billion. For more information about our Company and our products, visit
www.adm.com.

Archer Daniels Midland Company
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
(unaudited)

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008
(in millions, except per share amounts)

Net sales and other operating income $ 14,921 $ 21,160
Cost of products sold 13,948 19,293
Gross profit 973 1,867
Selling, general and administrative expenses 354 409
Other income - net (98 ) (28 )
Earnings before income taxes 717 1,486
Income taxes 220 440
Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 497 1,046
Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests (1 ) (1 )
Net earnings attributable to ADM $ 496 $ 1,045

Diluted earnings per common share $ .77 $ 1.62

Average number of shares outstanding 644 645

Other income - net consists of:
Interest expense $ 98 $ 138
Investment income (30 ) (54 )
Net gain on marketable securities transactions (1 ) (9 )
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (152 ) (123 )
Other - net (13 ) 20
$ (98 ) $ (28 )

Archer Daniels Midland Company
Segment Operating Analysis
(unaudited)

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008
(in millions)
Net sales and other operating income
Oilseeds Processing $ 6,358 $ 7,772
Corn Processing 1,916 2,241
Agricultural Services 5,322 9,569
Other 1,325 1,578
Total net sales and other operating income $ 14,921 $ 21,160

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008
(in millions)
Segment operating profit (loss)
Oilseeds Processing $ 284 $ 510
Corn Processing 188 118
Agricultural Services 175 428
Other 127 120
Total segment operating profit 774 1,176
Corporate (1) (57 ) 310
Earnings before income taxes $ 717 $ 1,486

Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008
(in 000s metric tons)
Processing volumes
Oilseeds Processing 6,372 7,024
Corn Processing 4,621 4,589
Wheat, cocoa and malt 1,910 1,877
Total processing volumes 12,903 13,490

(1) Includes LIFO credit of $ 76 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 and $453 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, respectively.

Archer Daniels Midland Company
Summary of Financial Condition
(unaudited)

September 30 2009 June 30 2009
(in millions)
NET INVESTMENT IN
Working capital $ 10,912 $ 10,927
Property, plant, and equipment 8,366 7,950
Investments in and advances to affiliates 2,559 2,459
Long-term marketable securities 644 626
Other non-current assets 1,137 1,139
$ 23,618 $ 23,101

FINANCED BY
Short-term debt $ 254 $ 356
Long-term debt, including current maturities 7,623 7,640
Deferred liabilities 1,498 1,452
Shareholders' equity 14,243 13,653
$ 23,618 $ 23,101

SUMMARY OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
Quarter ended
September 30
2009 2008
(in millions)
Operating Activities
Net earnings $ 497 $ 1,046
Depreciation and asset abandonments 196 177
Other - net 37 (457 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 1,262 3,914
Total Operating Activities 1,992 4,680
Investing Activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (497 ) (483 )
Business disposals - 236
Business acquisitions - (24 )
Other investing activities 68 (28 )
Total Investing Activities (429 ) (299 )
Financing Activities
Long-term debt borrowings - 102
Long-term debt payments (34 ) (15 )
Net repayments under lines of credit (107 ) (2,570 )
Purchases of treasury stock - (100 )
Cash dividends (90 ) (84 )
Other 3 8
Total Financing Activities (228 ) (2,659 )
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 1,335 1,722
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period 1,055 810
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period $ 2,390 $ 2,532

Archer Daniels Midland Company
David Weintraub, 217-424-5413
Director, External Communications
Dwight Grimestad, 217-424-4586
Vice President, Investor Relations

Copyright Business Wire 2009