Flat Residential Electricity Demand And Rising Costs Will Erode Profits

Key Takeaways

• Rising efficiency and distributed energy adoption threaten long-term electricity revenue and margin expansion amid stricter global decarbonisation and ESG demands.
  
• Capital-heavy investments in renewables and digital platforms face execution risks, while legacy fuel dependency exposes cash flow and profitability to transition-related challenges.
  
• Global expansion, operational discipline, renewables investment, resilient LNG portfolio, and strong capital management position Origin for sustained profitability and long-term shareholder value.

Catalysts

An integrated energy company, engages in the exploration and production of natural gas, electricity generation, wholesale and retail sale of electricity and gas, and sale of liquefied natural gas in Australia and internationally.

• Current investor optimism appears to be pricing in uninterrupted growth from the electrification of transport, industry, and heat, but guidance suggests Origin anticipates broadly flat residential electricity demand as efficiency gains and distributed resources partially offset new load, posing a risk to long-term electricity revenue.
  
• Expectations for margin expansion may be overstated, as global decarbonisation policies and escalating investor ESG requirements are likely to drive higher compliance costs and accelerate fossil asset retirements, putting downward pressure on net margins amid the ongoing transition.
  
• Although strong growth in distributed energy technologies and digital services is positive, the proliferation of behind-the-meter solutions (rooftop solar, batteries, VPPs) could cannibalize grid-supplied volumes faster than currently assumed by markets, threatening Origin's traditional wholesale and retail earnings base.
  
• The company's capital-intensive investments in renewables, storage, and international software platforms (Kraken/Octopus) are being valued as sources of near-term EBITDA growth, yet these ventures may face execution risks and cost overruns, which could compress return on capital and drag on future earnings.
  
• Anticipated cash flows from LNG remain vulnerable to global price volatility and regulatory shifts, while Origin's reliance on legacy gas and coal assets exposes the company to potential asset write-downs and long-term profitability headwinds as the global transition accelerates, affecting both operating cash flow and net income.

Origin Energy Future Earnings and Revenue Growth

Assumptions

• Analysts are assuming Origin Energy's revenue will decrease by 0.4% annually over the next 3 years.
• Analysts assume that profit margins will shrink from 8.6% today to 7.2% in 3 years time.
• Analysts expect earnings to reach A$1.2 billion (and earnings per share of A$0.7) by about August 2028, down from A$1.5 billion today. However, there is a considerable amount of disagreement amongst the analysts with the most bullish expecting A$1.5 billion in earnings, and the most bearish expecting A$1.0 billion.
• In order for the above numbers to justify the analysts price target, the company would need to trade at a PE ratio of 20.1x on those 2028 earnings, up from 15.0x today. This future PE is greater than the current PE for the AU Electric Utilities industry at 10.6x.
• Analysts expect the number of shares outstanding to remain consistent over the next 3 years.
• To value all of this in today's terms, we will use a discount rate of 6.48%, as per the Simply Wall St company report.

Origin Energy Future Earnings Per Share Growth

Risks

• Origin Energy is successfully expanding its global platform businesses, Octopus and Kraken, with rapid customer growth, significant addressable markets, and strong recurring revenue targets, potentially providing considerable upside to revenues and earnings through global technology and retail markets.
  
• The company is demonstrating operational and financial discipline, evidenced by robust customer growth, reduced cost to serve, improved customer retention metrics, and effective use of technology (e.g., AI, VPP, Kraken platform), which may enhance net margins and long-term profitability.
  
• Investments in renewable energy and battery storage are on track and expected to deliver attractive post-tax returns (8–11%), positioning Origin well to benefit from energy transition trends, lower carbon costs, and increased demand for reliable/clean power, supporting future earnings and cash flows.
  
• The APLNG asset remains a strong cash generator with increasing 2P reserves, steady production costs, and substantial reserves beyond current contracts, enabling potential growth in LNG exports as global gas demand remains robust, thereby positively impacting revenue and dividends.
  
• The company maintains a strong balance sheet with low net debt-to-EBITDA, high dividend payout ratios (above 80% of free cash flow), and clear capital allocation discipline, allowing continued investment in growth projects and providing scope for sustainable or even increasing dividends, thus supporting shareholder returns over the long-term.

Valuation

• The analysts have a consensus price target of A$11.908 for Origin Energy based on their expectations of its future earnings growth, profit margins and other risk factors. However, there is a degree of disagreement amongst analysts, with the most bullish reporting a price target of A$13.7, and the most bearish reporting a price target of just A$10.0.
  
• In order for you to agree with the analyst's consensus, you'd need to believe that by 2028, revenues will be A$17.1 billion, earnings will come to A$1.2 billion, and it would be trading on a PE ratio of 20.1x, assuming you use a discount rate of 6.5%.
  
• Given the current share price of A$12.92, the analyst price target of A$11.91 is 8.5% lower. The relatively low difference between the current share price and the analyst consensus price target indicates that they believe on average, the company is fairly priced.
  
• We always encourage you to reach your own conclusions though. So sense check these analyst numbers against your own assumptions and expectations based on your understanding of the business and what you believe is probable.