Financial Performance - Corteva reported a strong year in 2025, with fourth-quarter results meeting expectations, except for stronger cash flow generation than anticipated [6] - The company achieved low single-digit top-line growth and low double-digit operating EBITDA growth, resulting in over 200 basis points of margin expansion, reaching over 22% for the first time as a public company [6][18] - Organic sales for the fourth quarter were down 4% year-over-year, with crop protection experiencing volume and price declines of 2% and 1% respectively [14][15] - For the full year, organic sales increased by 4%, with crop protection volume up 5% and seed price, mix, and volume gains of 3% and 2% respectively [16][18] Business Line Performance - The seed business showed organic growth in every region, with significant net cost improvements and royalty improvements, particularly in North America corn and Brazil soybean licensing [7][17] - The crop protection business also delivered growth and margin expansion, generating over $300 million in productivity and cost benefits [8][18] - The company expects to see modest growth in crop protection in 2026, despite competitive pricing dynamics in major markets [9][19] Market Insights - Overall agricultural fundamentals remain mixed, with record demand for food and fuel, and major crop inventories within normal ranges [8][9] - Farmers are prioritizing top-tier seed technologies while managing tighter margins, leading to a potential shift back to soybeans in 2026 [9][19] Strategic Direction - Corteva is on track for a separation in the second half of 2026, with ongoing preparations for executive leadership teams and capital structure submissions [4][5] - The company reached a resolution with Bayer regarding seed freedom to operate, which is expected to accelerate licensing opportunities and provide business certainty [10][11] - The resolution is anticipated to generate about $1 billion in aggregate earnings upside over the next decade through outlicensing and branded sales [12] Management Commentary - Management expressed confidence in the company's performance and outlook for 2026, reiterating a preliminary operating EBITDA midpoint of $4.1 billion, representing a 7% growth compared to the prior year [9][19] - The company is focused on controlling operational efficiencies and maintaining strong cash flow, with a commitment to returning cash to shareholders [23] Other Important Information - Free cash flow improved significantly to $2.9 billion, driven by increased EBITDA and working capital discipline [18][23] - The company plans to target approximately $500 million in share repurchases in the first half of 2026 [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break down the Bayer litigation impact? - Management highlighted that the agreement provides freedom to operate and increased access to the licensing market, accelerating corn licensing to as early as 2027 and entering the cotton licensing market [26][28] Question: Is there existing licensing expense that will no longer be incurred? - Management confirmed that a portion of the $120 million net royalty benefit in 2026 comes from Bayer royalties that will not be paid, leading to a net-neutral position two years ahead of expectations [33][34] Question: What is the status of Conkesta soybeans in Brazil? - Management indicated that they expect to double market share in 2026, transitioning to a focus on licensing through multipliers [61][64] Question: How do you view the productivity benefits for 2026? - Management stated that the $200 million productivity benefits are split equally between seed and crop protection, with ongoing opportunities for improvements [89]

Industry Overview - The AgTech and food innovation sector is experiencing significant transformation as technology adoption accelerates in farming, food production, and distribution, focusing on sustainability and efficiency [1] - Structural pressures such as climate volatility, labor constraints, and rising input costs are driving the need for innovation, with consumers increasingly favoring transparency and responsible sourcing [2] Digitization and Technological Advancements - A major trend is the digitization of farm operations, with precision agriculture, connected machinery, and real-time analytics optimizing yields while minimizing waste [3] - Companies like Deere & Company are central to this shift, utilizing GPS-guided equipment and data platforms to enhance productivity [3] Food Innovation Trends - Food innovation is evolving as producers adapt to health-oriented diets and sustainability considerations, influencing product development strategies [4] - Tyson Foods is investing in alternative proteins and automation to align its offerings with long-term consumer trends [4] Investment Opportunities - The AgTech and Food Innovation sector presents compelling investment opportunities as companies balance short-term volatility with long-term necessity [5] - Key players such as Corteva, Beyond Meat, and Ingredion are highlighted for their alignment with trends in precision agriculture and protein demand [6] Company Insights: Corteva - Corteva is positioned as a leader in AgTech, focusing on advanced seed genetics and crop protection solutions to meet rising demand driven by climate variability and pest pressures [7] - The company is rolling out new hybrids and investing in gene editing technologies to accelerate innovation [8] - Corteva's initiatives include developing environmentally aligned crop protection solutions, reinforcing its role in the AgTech ecosystem [9] Company Insights: Ingredion - Ingredion is focusing on clean-label ingredients and functional nutrition, responding to inflation and shifting consumer preferences [11] - The company's Texture & Healthful Solutions segment is experiencing solid growth, particularly in clean-label ingredients and protein fortification [12] - Ingredion is also advancing food innovation through targeted solution development and technology adoption, including sugar reduction technologies [13] Company Insights: Beyond Meat - Beyond Meat is adapting to changing protein consumption patterns by focusing on health, sustainability, and resource efficiency [14] - The company is enhancing the nutritional quality of its plant-based proteins, aligning with consumer demand for transparency [15] - Beyond Meat's innovation strategy includes faster product iteration through the Beyond Test Kitchen and ongoing supply-chain improvements [16]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic sales increased by 11% year-over-year in Q3, with both seed and crop protection contributing to this growth [20] - Year-to-date organic sales were up 6%, driven by a 3% increase in price mix and a 4% increase in volume for seeds [21] - Operating EBITDA for the quarter was positive, showing over 600 basis points of margin expansion compared to the previous year [20] - Full-year operating EBITDA is now expected to be in the range of $3.8 billion to $3.9 billion, reflecting a 14% growth at the midpoint [13][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The seed business achieved $200 million in productivity and deflation benefits, alongside $90 million in royalty improvements [9] - Crop protection business is expected to see full-year EBITDA growth in the high single digits, driven by demand for differentiated technology [10] - New products and biologicals in crop protection delivered double-digit volume gains compared to the prior year [21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall agricultural market fundamentals remain mixed, with record demand for food and fuel, and major crop inventories within normal ranges [12] - In Brazil, the crop protection market is expected to stabilize pricing, moving from high single-digit losses to mid-single-digit growth [60] - The crop protection industry is anticipated to see low single-digit growth in 2026, with high single-digit growth in biologicals [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to separate into two public entities by the second half of 2026 to better position its seed and crop protection businesses for long-term growth [6][8] - Focus on differentiated technologies and collaborations is expected to drive innovation and market success [7] - The introduction of hundreds of new products is anticipated to enhance returns for farmers and contribute to volume growth [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing strong early demand for safrinha seeds in Brazil and a robust R&D pipeline valued at $9 billion [8][30] - The company is raising its full-year operating EBITDA guidance due to broad-based organic sales growth and cost improvements [24] - Management noted that the agricultural market is experiencing competitive pricing dynamics, particularly in Brazil, but underlying demand remains strong [12][60] Other Important Information - The company expects to achieve a free cash flow conversion rate of approximately 50% for the year, alongside $1 billion in share repurchases [15][26] - The anticipated separation is aimed at sharpening focus and accelerating innovation, with a commitment to delivering strong results during the transition [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What should the independent company focus on post-separation? - Management highlighted the importance of their strong R&D pipeline and differentiated technology as key areas for growth and margin improvement [30] Question: Will there be further pruning of the AI portfolio? - Management expressed satisfaction with the current portfolio and indicated openness to partnerships and collaborations to enhance offerings [36] Question: How are credit market conditions evolving for growers in Latin America? - Management noted that while there are higher borrowing costs and increased bankruptcies, Corteva is managing risks effectively with minimal losses [40][41] Question: What are the expectations for biologicals growth? - Management reported strong growth in biologicals, with expectations for continued high single- to low double-digit growth rates in the future [53] Question: How is the company managing working capital? - Management indicated that working capital improvements have contributed significantly to free cash flow, with expectations for typical inventory builds in Q4 [73]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Organic sales increased by 11% year-over-year for the third quarter, with both seed and crop protection contributing to this growth [17] - Year-to-date organic sales were up 6%, driven by a 3% increase in seed price mix and a 4% increase in seed volume [18] - Operating EBITDA for the third quarter showed a significant improvement, with a margin expansion of over 600 basis points compared to the prior year [17] - Full year operating EBITDA is now expected to be in the range of $3.8 billion to $3.9 billion, reflecting a 14% growth at the midpoint compared to the previous year [10][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The seed business achieved $200 million in productivity and deflation benefits, alongside $90 million in royalty improvements [7] - Crop protection business is expected to see full year EBITDA growth in the high single digits, driven by demand for differentiated technology [8] - New products and biologicals in crop protection delivered double-digit volume gains compared to the prior year [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall agricultural market fundamentals remain mixed, with record demand for food and fuel, and major crop inventories within normal ranges [10] - Competitive pricing dynamics continue in some major markets, particularly in crop protection [10][15] - In Brazil, crop protection pricing is expected to stabilize, moving from high single-digit losses last year to mid-single-digit losses this year [41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced plans to separate into two public companies to better position its seed and crop protection businesses for long-term growth [4][6] - Focus on differentiated technologies and new product introductions is expected to drive solid returns for farmers and premium market positioning [15] - The company anticipates rolling out several hundred new hybrids and varieties in 2026 to enhance farmer productivity [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the future, citing strong early safrinha seed demand in Brazil and a robust R&D pipeline valued at $9 billion [6][25] - The company expects low single-digit growth in the crop protection industry, with high single-digit growth in biologicals [14] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong balance sheet and cash flow outlook, with a commitment to $1 billion in share repurchases [23] Other Important Information - The company is on track for a free cash flow conversion rate of approximately 50% for the year [12] - The anticipated separation is expected to unlock value and sharpen focus on innovation [16] - The company is committed to maintaining R&D investment at 6%-7% of revenue to support ongoing innovation [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What should the independent company focus on post-separation? - Management emphasized the strength of the crop protection business and the depth of its R&D pipeline, indicating that the focus should remain on differentiated technology and collaboration opportunities [24][25] Question: Are there plans for further pruning of the AI portfolio? - Management expressed satisfaction with the current portfolio and indicated openness to partnerships and collaborations to enhance offerings [29][30] Question: How are credit market conditions evolving for growers in Latin America? - Management noted that while there are higher borrowing costs and increased bankruptcies, Corteva has managed risks effectively, resulting in minimal losses [31][32] Question: What are the expectations for synergy costs post-separation? - Initial estimates for synergy costs were projected at $80 million to $100 million, with ongoing efforts to minimize this number [34][36] Question: How is the biologicals segment performing? - Management reported strong growth in biologicals, with expectations for continued high single-digit to low double-digit growth rates [39] Question: What is the outlook for crop chemical pricing? - Management expects crop chemical pricing to stabilize, with Brazil showing signs of improvement compared to previous years [41][42] Question: How is the seed market share performing? - Management expressed confidence in gaining market share in key crops, particularly corn and soy, with expectations for Conkesta to reach double-digit market penetration in Brazil [50][51]