Melbourne, March 5, 2026, 18:31 (AEDT)
- Orica bought back 211,686 shares on March 4 for A$4.95 million
- About 23.2 million shares have been repurchased since March 2025 for roughly A$484 million
- The on-market buyback is capped at A$500 million and is scheduled to end on March 27
Orica Limited (ASX:ORI) said it bought back 211,686 shares on Wednesday for A$4.95 million, part of its on-market share buy-back. It paid between A$23.29 and A$23.97 a share and has now spent about A$484 million to repurchase roughly 23.2 million shares under the programme, with Goldman Sachs Australia acting as broker, a filing showed. 1
The update matters because the buyback is running down to its final weeks and the company has little room left if it plans to use the full amount authorised. Buybacks reduce the number of shares on issue and can lift earnings per share if profits hold steady.
Orica shares have been weak in recent sessions, which makes the buyback more noticeable than it would be in a rising market. The stock closed at A$23.29 on Wednesday after ending Tuesday at A$23.82. 2
An on-market buyback is when a company repurchases its own shares through the stock exchange, like any other buyer. The pace can shift day to day, depending on price, trading volumes and the company’s own limits.
When Orica launched the buyback last year, chief executive Sanjeev Gandhi said the repurchases “demonstrates the Board and Management’s confidence in Orica’s financial strength and outlook.” The company also said the exact amount and timing would depend on market conditions. 3
Orica supplies explosives, blasting systems and mining chemicals used at mines and quarries. Demand tends to track mining activity and contract work, and customers routinely push for lower costs and higher productivity.
But buybacks are optional. Orica can slow, pause or stop purchases, and a buyback does not guarantee support for the share price if broader market sentiment turns or if the company decides it needs cash elsewhere.
The buyback disclosures will keep landing in the market each day it purchases stock, offering a near-real-time read on how quickly Orica uses its remaining capacity as the March end date approaches.
