How are Australia’s biggest blue-chip stocks performing in 2026?

Despite the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) being Australia’s benchmark index, it is highly concentrated towards a few blue-chip stocks. 

In fact, the ASX 200 is one of the most concentrated developed-market indices on the planet.

After initially starting off 2026 strongly, Australia’s benchmark index has cooled off this month amidst geopolitical conflict. 

Across January and February, the ASX 200 rose more than 5%. 

Since then, it has dipped just over 4%. 

Let’s see how some of Australia’s blue-chip stocks have performed. 

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA remains Australia’s largest company by market cap. 

The big bank experienced a huge boost during February as earnings season brought some strong results, surprising many brokers who had tipped a decline in 2026. 

The bank reported a 6% increase in cash profit to $5.45 billion for 1H FY26.

It also declared a fully-franked interim dividend of $2.35 per share, up 4% from 1H FY25.

At the time of writing, it is up 9.9% for the year to date. 

It has also remained steady amidst broader market volatility in March. 

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP is Australia’s second largest company by market cap and its largest mining/materials stock. 

The global mining giant also was a winner during earnings season, hitting all-time highs in February. 

It has cooled down significantly in the last few weeks, as many materials stocks have dropped amidst the conflict in the Middle East. 

All in all, the stock price is up a healthy 9.46% in 2026. 

It will be important to monitor how markets react in the coming days/weeks to yesterday’s announcement of a change in leadership.

Yesterday, the company reported that Brandon Craig will become its new CEO and director on 1 July.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is Australia’s largest consumer discretionary/consumer staples stock. 

Its subsidiaries include household names such as Bunnings Warehouse, Kmart Australia, Officeworks, Priceline, and more.

Despite its dominant market position, it has fallen recently after a solid start to the year. 

At the time of writing, it is down 15% over the last month. 

Year to date, it is down roughly 8%. 

There is growing sentiment that the current share price could be a strong entry point after the drop. 

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL also sits inside the top 10 largest blue-chip stocks in Australia. 

It is also the largest healthcare company on the ASX. 

While banks and miners have broadly increased year to date, it’s been more pain for healthcare shares like CSL. 

It currently sits close to 52-week lows, at $138.00. 

CSL shares are down 44% over the last 12 months, which includes almost 20% year to date. 

This has come from poor investor sentiment on the back of poor growth expectations,  declining US vaccination rates and international demand. 

With that being said, it has consistently been rated as oversold by brokers, who largely have positive outlooks on the company.

The post How are Australia’s biggest blue-chip stocks performing in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.