On Friday, JPMorgan made a decisive move by downgrading the shares of Nutrien Ltd. (NYSE: NTR), a major agricultural company, from Neutral to Underweight. The firm also adjusted Nutrien’s price target, bringing it down to $48.00 from the previous $58.00.
The downgrade comes as JPMorgan observes the correlation between North American agricultural companies and domestic corn prices. The firm highlighted that while other companies in the sector have certain dynamics that might shield them from market fluctuations, Nutrien appears more susceptible to potential downturns in grain prices.
The analyst pointed out the unique position of other companies within the agriculture sector. Mosaic, for example, benefits from its phosphate business, which has seen increased strength due to a drop in China’s phosphate exports leading to higher prices. Similarly, CF Industries Holdings (NYSE: CF), Inc. is influenced by European natural gas prices, and Corteva (NYSE: CTVA) is experiencing a positive earnings dynamic due to higher seed prices. FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) has already seen a significant correction in its share price.
The rationale behind the downgrade of Nutrien’s stock is predicated on the expectation that grain prices may not decline. This, coupled with a likely decrease in Nutrien’s EBITDA, could limit the upside potential for the company’s capital appreciation, according to JPMorgan’s analysis.
Investors and market watchers now have a revised outlook on Nutrien’s stock, as reflected by JPMorgan’s updated rating and price target. The firm’s assessment suggests that Nutrien’s stock may not fare as well in the current market environment compared to some of its peers within the agricultural sector.
