Orica (ASX:ORI), Nufarm (ASX:NUF) and Sims (ASX:SGM) operate across different areas of industrial activity. Orica supplies explosives, blasting technology and Mining chemicals, Nufarm provides crop-protection products and seed technologies, while Sims operates metal recycling and technology asset processing businesses.

Their 2026 updates provide different readings on mining activity, agricultural demand, recycling markets, operating margins and balance-sheet management.

Orica (ASX:ORI)

Orica (ASX:ORI) supplies commercial explosives, blasting systems, mining chemicals and digital technologies to resources customers across international markets.

For the six months ended 31 March 2026, Orica reported EBIT of A$512 million and net profit after tax before significant items of A$283.1 million. Statutory net profit was affected by A$283.7 million of after-tax significant items, resulting in a statutory net loss of A$0.6 million.

Return on net Assets reached 14.7%, while the company declared an Interim Dividend of 28.5 cents per share. Orica also completed an A$500 million on-market share buyback.

During 2026, Orica continued integrating acquired businesses including Nelson Brothers and the Danafloat copper-processing chemicals portfolio. The company is also implementing an organisation-wide program targeting at least A$100 million of recurring cost-base reductions, with most benefits expected during 2027.

With Orica’s financial year ending on 30 September, subsequent reporting will provide further information on full-year earnings, integration progress and delivery of cost initiatives.

Nufarm (ASX:NUF)

Nufarm (ASX:NUF) operates across crop protection and seed technologies, supplying agricultural products across Australia, the Americas, Europe and Asia.

For the first half of FY26, Nufarm reported Revenue of A$1.7 billion and underlying EBITDA of A$243 million. Underlying net profit after tax reached A$52 million, while gross margin was 33%.

Net Debt declined by A$135 million to A$1.23 billion, while Leverage was reported at 3.6 times. Seed Technologies generated underlying EBITDA of A$58 million, supported partly by progress across Nufarm’s omega-3 platform.

For FY26, management has targeted positive free Cash Flow and Capital Expenditure below A$200 million. The company has also outlined an objective of reducing net debt to underlying EBITDA toward approximately two times by financial year-end.

Nufarm’s full-year performance will depend on agricultural demand, seasonal conditions, crop-protection margins, seed technology development and progress in reducing leverage.

Sims (ASX:SGM)

Sims (ASX:SGM) operates metal recycling businesses alongside Sims Lifecycle Services, which processes retired technology and electronic equipment.

For FY26, Sims reported revenue of A$8.01 billion and underlying EBIT of A$468 million. The company also declared total FY26 dividends of 34 cents per share.

North America Metal generated underlying EBIT of A$135.9 million, while the SA Recycling joint venture contributed A$235.5 million.

Sims Lifecycle Services generated revenue of A$757 million and underlying EBIT of A$172.7 million. Memory-repurposing volumes reached approximately 16.8 million units as Demand for reuse of technology components increased.

Australian and New Zealand Metal underlying EBIT was A$55.8 million amid more difficult ferrous market conditions.

For the first half of FY27, Sims has guided to Sims Lifecycle Services underlying EBIT of A$75 million to A$90 million, with timing and Business mix expected to influence the result.

Industrial Activity

Orica (ASX:ORI), Nufarm (ASX:NUF) and Sims (ASX:SGM) are exposed to different parts of the industrial cycle.

Orica’s activity is linked to mining volumes, resources Investment and demand for blasting and processing technologies. Nufarm depends on agricultural conditions, crop-protection demand and seed technology development. Sims is exposed to scrap-metal markets, steel activity and demand for recycling and technology asset processing.

Currency movements and input costs can also influence reported Earnings across their international operations.

Key Risks

Orica remains exposed to mining activity, raw-material costs and execution across acquisitions and its cost-reduction program. Complex project and customer contracts also require consistent operational delivery.

Nufarm faces agricultural seasonality, crop-protection pricing, weather conditions and balance-sheet risk. Progress toward lower leverage and positive free cash flow remains important to its financial position.

Sims remains exposed to ferrous and non-ferrous scrap prices, global steel production and recycling volumes. Earnings from Sims Lifecycle Services may also fluctuate with technology replacement cycles and product mix.

What Investors May Watch Next

For Orica (ASX:ORI), upcoming full-year reporting will provide information on FY26 earnings, Acquisition integration and progress toward its cost-reduction objectives.

For Nufarm (ASX:NUF), the FY26 result will provide an update on cash generation, leverage and performance across Crop Protection and Seed Technologies.

For Sims (ASX:SGM), future disclosures will provide further information on recycling-market conditions and whether Sims Lifecycle Services delivers within its first-half FY27 EBIT guidance range.