CF Industries beats fourth-quarter profit estimates on strong ammonia demand

Feb 18 (Reuters) - Fertilizer firm CF Industries CF.N beat expectations for fourth-quarter core profit on Wednesday, as it benefited from higher prices and strong demand for nitrogen.

A robust planting season and healthy crops in several parts of North America last year have lifted fertilizer demand, boosting sales for companies such as CF Industries, which said it expects nitrogen demand in the region to remain positive through the spring season.

CF Industries produces nutrients such as nitrogen, ammonium nitrate, urea ammonium nitrate solution, granular urea and ammonia, all of which are key feedstocks for fertilizers.

The fertilizer firm's adjusted core profit for the quarter ended December 31 came in at $821 million, compared to analysts' estimates of $721.3 million, according to data compiled by LSEG.

Net sales rose to $1.97 billion during the quarter, driven by a 22.7% increase in ammonia segment revenue, compared with $1.52 billion a year earlier.

The company also forecast capital expenditure of $1.3 billion in 2026, reflecting the consolidation of the Blue Point joint venture into its financial statements.