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Nutrien Ltd (TSE:NTR)
TSX:NTR

Nutrien (NTR) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:NTR

Nutrien

(TSX:NTR)

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Outperform 72 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
C$120.00
▲(11.42% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/20/26
Overall score reflects solid but cyclical financial performance (earnings rebound but weaker and uneven free cash flow), supported by a constructive technical uptrend and reasonable valuation with a ~3.1% dividend. Earnings call was net-positive on execution and capital allocation, tempered by operational and regional risks (Brazil, Trinidad-related nitrogen volumes, working-capital and phosphate pressure).
Positive Factors
Integrated production and distribution scale
Nutrien's record 27.5 Mt fertilizer sales in 2025 reflects durable end-to-end supply chain scale. Vertical integration across production, trading and retail helps capture margins at multiple points, supporting steadier revenue and market share through industry cycles.
Potash cost control and automation
Sustained sub-target potash costs and near-half mine automation indicate structural productivity and safety gains. Lower controllable costs and higher automation improve long-term margin resilience and reduce unit cost volatility versus peers reliant on manual operations.
Capital discipline and balance-sheet repair
Consistent capex restraint, strategic divestitures and meaningful short-term debt reduction strengthen financial flexibility. Improved cash allocation (dividends and buybacks) and lower leverage create a more durable platform for reinvestment and shareholder returns.
Negative Factors
Uneven free cash flow conversion
Declining and uneven free cash flow versus reported earnings signals that profitability doesn't fully translate into spendable cash. This cyclicality limits repeatable capacity for capex, deleveraging or buybacks during downcycles and raises execution risk on cash targets.
Trinidad/New Madrid nitrogen outage risk
Loss of ~15% of nitrogen volumes due to gas and operational constraints is a structural supply vulnerability. Prolonged outages compress volumes and margins, force reliance on third-party supply or higher-cost alternatives, and heighten exposure to feedstock availability.
Brazil retail underperformance and review
A key downstream market running below hurdle rates erodes retail margin durability and complicates growth targets. Potential restructuring or divestitures introduce execution risk and could reduce scale or local distribution advantages in an important agricultural market.

Nutrien (NTR) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

Nutrien Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionNutrien Ltd. provides crop inputs and services. It offers potash, nitrogen, phosphate, and sulfate products; and financial solutions. The company also distributes crop nutrients, crop protection products, seeds, and merchandise products through approximately 2,000 retail locations in the United States, Canada, South America, and Australia. In addition, it provides services directly to growers through a network of farm centers in North America, South America, and Australia. The company was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Saskatoon, Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyNutrien makes money primarily through two major business segments: (1) upstream fertilizer production and wholesale distribution and (2) downstream retail sales of crop inputs and services. First, in its fertilizer businesses, Nutrien earns revenue by producing and selling crop nutrients—most notably potash and nitrogen—into domestic and international markets. Sales are typically driven by shipment volumes and realized selling prices, which are influenced by global fertilizer supply/demand, crop prices, farmer profitability, energy and feedstock costs (particularly for nitrogen), and logistics. Nutrien can sell these products directly to customers and channel partners and also supply product into its own retail network, benefiting from vertical integration across production, trading, and distribution. Second, through Nutrien Ag Solutions (its retail segment), the company generates revenue from selling agricultural inputs to growers, including fertilizer products, crop protection products, and seed, along with associated agronomic services and programs that support on-farm decision-making and application. Retail revenue is influenced by acres planted, input intensity, product mix, local market competition, and seasonal purchasing patterns. This segment can also contribute earnings through service activities (such as application and agronomy support) and by bundling product sales with advisory and fulfillment capabilities. Across both segments, earnings are supported by the scale of its production assets, global distribution/logistics capabilities, and the breadth of its retail footprint, which can help capture margin at multiple points in the value chain (manufacturing, wholesale, and retail). Material factors affecting profitability include commodity pricing for fertilizers, input costs (especially natural gas for nitrogen), operating rates, freight and distribution costs, working-capital swings tied to seasonal demand, and overall agricultural market conditions.

Nutrien Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 18, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 06, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call communicates a predominantly positive operational and financial tone: the company delivered record volumes, double-digit adjusted EBITDA growth (+13%), lower-than-target controllable potash costs ($58/tonne vs $60 goal), meaningful automation progress (49% potash automation), strong capital discipline (CapEx reduced to $2.0B, ~$900M divestiture proceeds, >$600M debt paydown) and increased shareholder returns (+30%). Notable challenges remain—Brazil retail underperformance, Trinidad gas and production uncertainty (assumed offline in 2026), a year-end working capital/inventory build, and near-term phosphate margin pressure—but management has clear plans to address these issues (asset reviews, cost reductions, portfolio simplification). On balance the positive operational execution, strengthened balance sheet, and capital allocation progress outweigh the disclosed lowlights.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Adjusted EBITDA Growth
Adjusted EBITDA of $6.05 billion in 2025, up 13% year-over-year, driven by operational execution and cost management across segments.
Record Fertilizer Sales Volumes
Delivered record total fertilizer sales volumes of 27.5 million tonnes in 2025, reflecting end-to-end supply chain strength and market demand.
Potash Operational and Cost Performance
Potash controllable cash cost averaged $58 per tonne (below the $60 target), achieved 49% potash mine automation (safety and productivity benefits), and management raised potash sales guidance during the year. 2026 potash sales guidance is 14.1–14.8 million tonnes; management noted benchmark potash prices roughly 20% higher year-over-year in many markets.
Nitrogen Reliability Improvements
Nitrogen sales volumes increased to 10.9 million tonnes in 2025 with a 4 percentage-point improvement in ammonia operating rates due to reliability initiatives and low-cost debottlenecks; 2026 nitrogen sales guidance is 9.2–9.7 million tonnes (assumes no production from Trinidad/New Madrid).
Phosphate Recovery and Guidance
Phosphate operating rate averaged 87% in the second half of 2025 following reliability improvements; 2026 phosphate sales guidance is 2.4–2.6 million tonnes, within prior guidance range despite near-term demand softness.
Downstream Retail Progress
Retail adjusted EBITDA increased to $1.74 billion in 2025 through cost reductions, stronger proprietary margins and execution in Brazil margin plan; management cites a structural retail earnings improvement (Ken cited ~$400 million increase in retail earnings since 2023) and guidance of $1.75–$1.95 billion for 2026.
Capital Discipline and Cash Generation
Reduced 2025 capital expenditures to $2.0 billion (below Investor Day target of $2.2–$2.3 billion), generated approximately $900 million gross proceeds from divestitures, reduced short-term debt by over $600 million year-over-year, and reported structurally improved free cash flow and working capital unwind expectations for 2026.
Enhanced Shareholder Returns and Balance Sheet Action
Increased cash returned to shareholders by 30% in 2025, declared the 8th consecutive annual dividend increase, Board authorized repurchase of up to 5% of common shares over 12 months, and repurchases running at roughly $50 million per month year-to-date.
Negative Updates
Brazil Retail Underperformance and Strategic Review
Brazil retail remains below internal hurdle rates: the business moved from a loss in 2024 to near-breakeven in 2025 but continues to face macroeconomic headwinds; management is actively reviewing alternatives for components of the Brazilian business and may restructure or divest assets in 2026.
Trinidad Nitrogen Uncertainty and Shutdown Impact
Controlled shutdown of Trinidad operations in Q4 2025 impacted volumes; management assumes no production from Trinidad and New Madrid in 2026 (these accounted for ~1.6 million tonnes or ~15% of 2025 nitrogen segment sales volumes) and noted these facilities contributed minimal free cash flow (~1% of CF, ~3% of earnings), with future operation contingent on affordable gas access.
Working Capital and Inventory Build
Ended 2025 with a working capital build due to delayed customer purchases and weather; management referenced a working capital build (~$300 million) and noted inventories were higher than desired in Q4 (investor question referenced ~$500 million), creating a near-term cash conversion headwind that management expects to unwind in 2026.
Phosphate Demand Sensitivity and Margin Pressure
Phosphate saw a farmer pullback in 4Q when prices were high (noted as a prior quarter effect) and management flagged elevated input costs that could pressure phosphate margins in the near term despite higher operating rates.
Seed Revenue Pressure in Retail
Seed sales have declined (management cited seed sales down ~7.5% on a two-year stack) driven by a mix of strategic choices (reducing lower-margin seed exposure in Brazil) and weather-related disruptions that impacted demand in key regions; this has weighed on retail revenue mix.
Execution Risks: Turnarounds and Supply Chain
2026 includes multiple planned turnarounds (three cited for nitrogen) and management acknowledged that high demand levels (potash demand 74–77 million tonnes projected) are testing global operating and supply chain capabilities—creating volume and price risk if execution or logistics falter.
Company Guidance
Nutrien’s 2026 guidance emphasizes continued volume-led growth and disciplined capital allocation: potash sales volumes guided to 14.1–14.8 Mt (aligned with a global demand view of ~74–77 Mt) with controllable cash cost at or below $60/t (2025 controllable cost $58/t) and mine automation at 49%; nitrogen sales volumes 9.2–9.7 Mt (assumes no Trinidad/New Madrid production; those were ~1.6 Mt or ~15% of 2025 N volumes) after 2025 nitrogen volumes of 10.9 Mt and a 4‑pp improvement in ammonia operating rates; phosphate sales volumes 2.4–2.6 Mt (H2 2025 operating rate ~87%); retail adjusted EBITDA $1.75–$1.95bn (2025 retail adj. EBITDA $1.74bn) with proprietary products gross margin ~ $1.2bn and expected high single‑digit growth, mid‑single‑digit North American crop volumes growth, and continued Brazil actions; company capex $2.0–$2.1bn (sustaining ~$1.65bn, growth ~$400m; 2025 capex $2.0bn vs Investor Day target $2.2–$2.3bn); working capital expected to unwind after a ~ $300m Q4 build to materially improve cash conversion; 2025 adjusted EBITDA was $6.05bn (up 13%), record fertilizer sales of 27.5 Mt, ~$900m gross proceeds from divestitures, >$600m of short‑term debt paydown, a 30% increase in cash returned to shareholders in 2025, Board authorization to repurchase up to 5% of shares (repurchases ~ $50m/month YTD; ~2% repurchased last year), eighth consecutive annual dividend increase (dividend expense ~ $1bn) and capital leases ~ $0.5bn; regional potash benchmarks noted around Brazil $375/t, U.S. winter fill $355/st, SE Asia $375/t, India $349/t and China ~$348/t, with benchmark prices roughly ~20% higher year‑over‑year.

Nutrien Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Financial profile is generally sound with manageable leverage and an earnings rebound in 2025, but results are clearly cyclical versus the 2022 peak. Free cash flow has drifted down since 2022 and declined again in 2025, with uneven cash conversion (FCF roughly half of net income in 2025).
Income Statement
68
Positive
Revenue has been volatile (down in 2023–2024, then up in 2025), but profitability improved meaningfully in 2025 with stronger gross and operating profitability versus 2024. Still, earnings remain well below the 2022 peak, underscoring the cyclical nature of results and less consistent margin performance over time.
Balance Sheet
74
Positive
Leverage appears manageable and stable, with debt-to-equity around ~0.46–0.52 across the period and equity holding up well. Returns on equity rebounded in 2025 after a weak 2024, but remain far below the exceptional 2022 level, indicating profitability—and therefore balance-sheet efficiency—can fluctuate materially with the cycle.
Cash Flow
62
Positive
Cash generation is positive and free cash flow remains solid, but free cash flow has declined from 2022 and fell again in 2025 (negative growth). Cash conversion is mixed, with free cash flow running at roughly half of net income in 2025, suggesting earnings strength isn’t fully translating into incremental free cash flow and cash flow can be uneven year-to-year.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue27.36B25.97B29.06B37.88B27.71B
Gross Profit8.49B7.53B8.47B15.42B9.41B
EBITDA6.37B4.21B4.88B12.78B6.58B
Net Income2.31B674.00M1.26B7.66B3.15B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets52.21B51.84B52.75B54.59B49.95B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments699.72M853.00M941.00M901.00M499.00M
Total Debt12.93B12.81B12.57B11.93B10.85B
Total Liabilities26.89B27.40B27.55B28.72B26.25B
Stockholders Equity25.28B24.41B25.16B25.82B23.65B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.04B1.38B2.47B5.67B2.10B
Operating Cash Flow4.08B3.54B5.07B8.11B3.89B
Investing Cash Flow-1.40B-2.13B-2.96B-2.90B-1.81B
Financing Cash Flow-2.87B-1.45B-2.06B-4.73B-3.00B

Nutrien Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price107.70
Price Trends
50DMA
94.79
Positive
100DMA
88.20
Positive
200DMA
84.24
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
2.81
Negative
RSI
70.72
Negative
STOCH
75.05
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:NTR, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 107.7 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 100.19, above the 50-day MA of 94.79, and above the 200-day MA of 84.24, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 2.81 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 70.72 is Negative, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 75.05 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:NTR.

Nutrien Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (61)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
72
Outperform
C$55.05B13.019.13%3.52%2.67%154.37%
71
Outperform
C$788.40M2.7533.41%20.52%1196.33%
61
Neutral
$10.43B7.12-0.05%2.87%2.86%-36.73%
53
Neutral
C$65.31M-3.09-40.67%-36.30%10.13%
51
Neutral
C$30.60M-3.66-459.98%51.04%-2521.74%
44
Neutral
C$26.38M-2.88-21.85%39.56%
* Basic Materials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:NTR
Nutrien
114.41
44.24
63.06%
TSE:BEE
Bee Vectoring Technologies International
0.01
0.00
0.00%
TSE:KRN
Karnalyte Resources
0.50
0.33
209.37%
TSE:NPK
Verde Agritech
1.24
0.57
85.07%
TSE:IFOS
Itafos
4.08
2.00
96.06%
TSE:MGRO
MustGrow Biologics
0.52
-0.64
-55.17%

Nutrien Corporate Events

Stock BuybackDividends
Nutrien Lifts Dividend and Plans New Share Buyback Program
Positive
Feb 18, 2026

Nutrien Ltd. has raised its quarterly dividend to US$0.55 per share, a roughly one percent increase that brings its annualized payout to US$2.20, with payments structured in either Canadian or U.S. dollars depending on shareholder residency and election options. The board also authorized a normal course issuer bid to repurchase up to five percent of its outstanding common shares over the next 12 months, signaling continued emphasis on shareholder returns and capital allocation discipline, subject to regulatory approval.

The dividend framework includes flexibility for registered shareholders to choose their payment currency and enroll in direct deposit, while all dividends are designated as eligible under Canadian tax rules. Together, the modest dividend hike and planned buyback underscore confidence in cash generation and balance-sheet strength, with potential implications for earnings per share and overall capital return to investors if the repurchase program is fully executed.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:NTR) stock is a Buy with a C$80.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Nutrien stock, see the TSE:NTR Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock BuybackDividendsFinancial DisclosuresM&A Transactions
Nutrien Boosts Earnings, Cash Returns as Portfolio Streamlining Accelerates
Positive
Feb 18, 2026

Nutrien reported full-year 2025 net earnings of $2.30 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $6.05 billion, driven by higher fertilizer selling prices, record upstream sales volumes and stronger retail performance, while fourth-quarter net earnings reached $0.58 billion. The company highlighted significant free cash flow generation, about $900 million in asset sale proceeds since late 2024, reduced adjusted net debt and a 30 percent increase in cash returns to shareholders through dividends and buybacks.

Retail adjusted EBITDA rose to $1.74 billion in 2025 as cost savings, stronger proprietary product margins and a disciplined Brazil strategy improved profitability. Potash adjusted EBITDA climbed to $2.25 billion on higher prices and record volumes, supported by strong affordability and demand, while automation accounted for nearly half of mined ore tonnes, reinforcing Nutrien’s low-cost edge.

Nitrogen adjusted EBITDA increased to $2.15 billion as operating rates improved and low-cost debottlenecking projects at North American plants expanded ammonia output. The board approved a modest dividend increase to $0.55 per share and authorized a new normal course issuer bid for up to 5 percent of outstanding shares, subject to exchange approval, signaling continued focus on shareholder returns.

Strategic portfolio actions continued, including the $0.6 billion sale of Nutrien’s 50 percent stake in Profertil S.A. and the cessation of production at the New Madrid nitrogen upgrade facility, both aimed at concentrating on core, higher-return assets. The company is also reviewing strategic alternatives for its phosphate business and assessing options for its Trinidad nitrogen facility, positioning the portfolio for enhanced earnings quality, capital efficiency and resilience as it pursues 2026 performance targets and benefits from supportive potash and nitrogen market fundamentals.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:NTR) stock is a Buy with a C$80.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Nutrien stock, see the TSE:NTR Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 20, 2026