Broker tips more than 15% upside for Orica shares after a “strong” start to the year

Australian chemicals and explosives giant Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI) has started the year with “strong momentum”, while at least one broker is tipping its shares will hit a new high-water mark on continued good results.

Orica held its annual general meeting on Tuesday, with managing director Sanjeev Gandhi bullish on the company’s prospects for the year ahead.

As he told the meeting:

Building on the strong performance in 2025, we have started the 2026 financial year with strong momentum. Demand for blasting technology, specialty mining chemicals and digital solutions remains strong, and our disciplined approach to execution and capital allocation positions us to navigate inflationary pressures, energy costs and geopolitical uncertainty. Looking forward, Orica is well-positioned to continue to deliver profitable growth across all three business segments and create enduring value for our customers and shareholders.

Balance sheet management

On capital management, Mr Gandhi said that in 2025 the company had, for the first time in a decade, conducted a share buyback which was “substantially completed … and this program has been increased by up to an additional $100 million, demonstrating our ongoing commitment to delivering value for our shareholders”.

Mr Gandhi said the company’s “disciplined approach” to capital management and prudent balance sheet was “structured to withstand volatility in the external environment”.

We continue to deliver our strategy in dynamic operating environments, where shifting market conditions and evolving societal expectations create new opportunities for innovation, adaptation and global growth— strengthening Orica’s position and supporting long-term value creation for our customers and shareholders.

Share price gains on the cards

The analysts at RBC Capital markets said in a note to clients on Tuesday morning that company’s musings at the AGM appeared to be “slightly more positive than the commentary provided at the FY2025 result on 13 November 2025 as the company stated that it had started the 2026 financial year with ‘strong’ momentum as opposed to the November characterisation of ‘good’ momentum”.

The RBC team went on to say:

The remainder of the language in relation to the 2026 outlook remains broadly consistent with that provided on November 13 and is consistent with our earnings forecasts. We retain our Outperform rating and $27.50 price target. Orica also reiterated that it is well-positioned to continue to deliver profitable growth across all three business segments.

If the Orica share price were to reach the RBC price target, it would mark a fresh 12-month high and represent a 16.3% increase from the current share price of $23.64.

Orica was valued at $11.1 billion at the close of trade on Monday.

The post Broker tips more than 15% upside for Orica shares after a “strong” start to the year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.