Buy, hold, sell: Endeavour, Magellan, and Rio Tinto shares

There are a lot of ASX shares to choose from on the local bourse.

To narrow things down, let’s now take a look at three ASX shares that Morgans has recently given its verdict on.

Is it recommending them as buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out:

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

BWS and Dan Murphy’s owner Endeavour Group delivered a first-half result that was in line with expectations last month.

However, given that the company is still working its way through its refreshed strategy, it isn’t ready to recommend Endeavour shares as a buy. It has put a hold rating and $3.65 price target on them. It said:

There were no major surprises in EDV’s 1H26 result following the company’s trading update in January. While EDV continues to work on its refreshed strategy with further details to be provided at an investor day on 27 May, management confirmed that the combined Retail and Hotels portfolio will be retained.

Management also noted that they will continue investing in Dan Murphy’s to restore its price leadership, while accelerating hotel renewals and electronic gaming machine (EGM) replacements. We decrease FY26-28F underlying EBIT by between 0-1%. Our target price falls to $3.65 (from $3.70) and we retain our HOLD rating.

Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG)

Morgans is positive on this fund manager’s merger with Barrenjoey.

In response to the deal, which it believes makes strategic sense, the broker recently upgraded its shares to a buy rating with a significantly improved price target of $12.43.

Its analysts believe the merger could “reinvigorate” Magellan. It said:

MFG has entered into an arrangement to merge with Barrenjoey. We think the deal makes strategic sense and will reinvigorate the MFG story. Nevertheless, deal pricing appears tilted in Barrenjoey’s favour (in our view). We assume the merger closes at the end of FY26. Changes to our MFG FY26F/FY27F/FY28F EPS are -27%/+10%/~+25% reflecting the incorporation of the deal and upgrades to our assessment of Barrenjoey’s earnings profile (based on new disclosures).

Our price target is set at A$12.43 (previously A$9.80). We think the Barrenjoey merger fundamentally changes MFG’s overall outlook, strengthening the business and providing additional pathways to growth. MFG also retains a strong balance sheet (~A$690m of liquidity, post deal). Move to a BUY.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

Finally, Morgans recently became a bit more positive on mining giant Rio Tinto and its shares.

However, it is not quite enough for a buy rating. The broker has put a hold rating and $147.00 price target on its shares. It said:

We upgrade RIO from TRIM to HOLD with a revised target price of A$147 (prior A$146). The recent share price pullback closes the valuation stretch, while a lift in our medium-term iron ore assumption from US$80/t to US$85/t provides a firmer earnings floor. RIO remains a top-tier diversified miner.

Not cheap enough for a BUY, but the pullback removes the overshoot that justified TRIM. [With an] Iron ore earnings platform, copper and aluminium leverage, and lithium optionality, RIO represents an attractive mix with good execution in the Pilbara and Oyu Tolgoi.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Endeavour, Magellan, and Rio Tinto shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Endeavour Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.