3 ASX 200 shares that brokers are recommending as buys in May

Broker recommendations should never be followed blindly.

Analysts can be wrong, price targets can change, and even high-quality companies can disappoint.

But I still think broker views can be useful when they highlight businesses where the market may be focusing too heavily on short-term uncertainty and not enough on long-term value.

Three ASX 200 shares currently attracting buy ratings are named in this article.

Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)

Pinnacle Investment Management is one ASX share that Morgans remains positive on.

The investment house recently reviewed Pinnacle’s third-quarter update and kept its buy rating on the stock. It also lifted its target price to $24.70 from $23.21.

The key point from Morgans was that Pinnacle’s flows were stronger than expected during the quarter, despite a volatile market environment. I think that is important.

Fund managers can be very sensitive to market conditions. When sentiment weakens, investors may pull money out, delay allocations, or shift into more defensive options. So, when a funds management business is still attracting flows in a difficult backdrop, it can say something useful about the strength of its affiliates, investment performance, and client relationships.

Morgans also noted Pinnacle’s additional 6.8% investment in Metrics, describing it as a further vote of confidence in the business.

This is the part I like about Pinnacle. It is not a traditional single-manager funds business. It backs a range of specialist investment managers, which gives it exposure to multiple strategies and growth opportunities.

That does not remove risk. Markets still matter, performance fees can move around, and investor flows can be cyclical. But if Pinnacle keeps supporting quality affiliates and growing funds under management over time, I think it remains an attractive long-term financial stock.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre is a much more contrarian idea. Morgans has a buy rating and a $14.55 target price on the travel company, even though it has concerns about near-term trading.

The broker noted that Flight Centre surprisingly maintained its FY26 earnings guidance, despite the Middle East conflict creating uncertainty and temporarily disrupting international travel patterns. It also pointed out that the impact has been more significant in leisure travel, with April profit down around $10 million on the prior corresponding period.

That clearly shows there is risk here. Travel shares can be vulnerable to geopolitical shocks, consumer weakness, fuel prices, airline capacity, and currency movements.

But I can see why Morgans is still looking through the current disruption.

Its view is that Flight Centre would have had a great year without the conflict, given its results for the first nine months were strong. Morgans also believes the company is worth materially more than the current share price after the earnings downgrade. That is the opportunity.

Travel demand has shown many times that it can rebound after downturns. If the current disruption proves temporary, Flight Centre could eventually benefit from normalising conditions, corporate travel recovery, and pent-up demand from consumers who still want to travel.

It is not a low-risk buy, but I think it is an interesting recovery stock for investors willing to be patient.

ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB)

ARB Corporation is another ASX share with broker support, with Ord Minnett maintaining a buy rating with a $31.00 target price.

The company is best known for its four-wheel drive accessories, including bull bars, suspension, canopies, recovery equipment, and camping-related products.

Ord Minnett acknowledged near-term headwinds. New vehicle sales have been affected by inconsistent manufacturer supply, and elevated fuel prices may weigh on demand for ARB’s Australian aftermarket operations.

But the longer-term outlook appears more appealing.

The broker highlighted robust demand for ARB’s products, a healthy order book, and new vehicles and products being released globally. It also expects earnings growth to be supported by new and refurbished stores, offshore expansion, and strategic partnerships with original equipment manufacturers.

I think that is the right way to view ARB.

Short-term demand can move with the economy, fuel prices, and vehicle sales. But ARB has built a strong brand in a niche where quality and trust matter. For many customers, four-wheel drive accessories are not just about looks. They are about safety, capability, and reliability.

That gives ARB a durable position if it keeps executing well.

Foolish takeaway

These three broker-backed ASX 200 shares offer very different investment cases.

Pinnacle is a funds management growth story. Flight Centre is a recovery opportunity. ARB is a quality brand with offshore expansion potential.

None is risk-free, and broker ratings are only one input. But I think all three have enough long-term appeal to be worth a closer look for investors searching for opportunities in the current market.

The post 3 ASX 200 shares that brokers are recommending as buys in May appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ARB Corporation and Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation and Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.