Mizuho Lifts Target on Nutrien (NTR) as Sector Pressures Persist

Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) is included among the 15 Global Dividend Stocks to Diversify Your Portfolio.

Mizuho Lifts Target on Nutrien (NTR) as Sector Pressures Persist

On December 18, Mizuho raised its price target on Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) to $65 from $61 and kept a Neutral rating. The move came as part of the firm’s 2026 outlook for the chemicals, agriculture, and packaging sector. The analyst said China’s higher export volumes are weighing on most basic chemical markets. Mizuho also expects the March quarter to start off as weak as the December quarter ended for many companies across the group.

Earlier in the month, Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) took a clear step to streamline its portfolio. On December 10, the company said it completed the sale of its 50% equity stake in Argentina-based nitrogen producer Profertil S.A. The buyer group included Adecoagro S.A. and Asociacion de Cooperativas Argentinas Coop Ltda, which acquired the business through a joint transaction. Nutrien said total pre-tax proceeds from the sale were about $600 million.

That deal adds to a broader divestment push. With the Profertil transaction now closed, Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) has generated roughly $900 million in gross proceeds from asset sales since the fourth quarter of 2024. Management has framed these moves as a way to sharpen focus and strengthen the balance sheet in a softer operating environment.

Ken Seitz, Nutrien’s President and CEO, made the following comment:

“Closing the sale of our equity stake in Profertil demonstrates continued progress towards simplifying our portfolio, enhancing earnings quality, and improving cash conversion. We intend to allocate the proceeds towards capital allocation priorities that support our ability to grow free cash flow per share over the long term, including targeted growth investments, share repurchases and debt reduction.”

Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE:NTR) operates as a global supplier of essential crop nutrients, producing and distributing potash, nitrogen, and phosphate. The company also supports farmers through its large retail platform, Nutrien Ag Solutions, which provides products, services, and agronomic expertise across key agricultural regions.

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