CF reports record quarter

CF Industries Holdings Inc. reported net earnings attributable to common shareholders of $470.7 million ($7.40 per diluted share) on sales of $1.48 billion for the fourth quarter ending Dec. 31, 2012, compared to the year-ago $438.9 million ($6.66 per share) on sales of $1.72 billion.

One quarterly highlight was record ammonia shipments from several terminals.

Full-year earnings were $1.85 billion ($28.59 per share) on sales of $6.1 billion, up from 2011’s $1.54 billion ($21.98 per share) on sales of $1.54 billion.

CF expects a great first half of 2013, citing an anticipated high corn acreage and favorable natural gas costs.