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Buy hold, sell: Super Retail, APA, Sonic Healthcare shares

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S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.4% to 9,052.4 points on Friday.

Amid earnings season, brokers continue to reassess their ratings and 12-month targets on ASX 200 shares post-results.

Let’s check out some new notes from Morgans and Bell Potter.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

The Sonic Healthcare share price is $20.93, down 2.1% today and down 16% over 12 months. 

Bell Potter maintained its buy call on this ASX 200 healthcare share after reviewing the company’s FY26 report.

The broker shaved its 12-month share price target down from $28.75 to $27.50.

This implies a possible 31% upside ahead.

Bell Potter commented:

SHL reported EBITDA of c.$1.92b (cc) which was within the guidance range of c.$1.87b – c.$1.95b.

On a reported basis, EBITDA of c.$1.93 was in line with consensus, but c.1.5% below BPe.

The result was impacted by a range of nonrecurring items that more than offset the one-off gain from the Brisbane lab sale &
leaseback transaction.

While the headline EBITDA margin was c.10bp lower than pcp, margins in the 2H showed meaningful improvement at c.19% v
c.16.7%.

Sonic Healthcare is benefitting from a broader sector rebound since 3 June.

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) has risen 41% since then, compared with a 3% bump for the ASX 200.

The Sonic Healthcare share price has improved 11% since 3 June.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

The Super Retail share price is $13.43, down 7.1% today and down 28% over 12 months. 

Morgans maintained its hold rating on the ASX 200 consumer discretionary share after reading the FY26 report.

The broker increased its 12-month share price target from $12.30 to $15.20.

This suggests a potential 13% upside ahead.

Morgans said: 

SUL delivered a better-than-expected FY26 result, as rebel World Cup tailwinds (+70% volume growth vs last WC), a resilient SCA through June and a lower tax rate (~26%) beat consensus normalised NPAT expectations by ~11%.

Gross margins remained stable at the group level (+10bps yoy) and trading through FY27 is mixed (SCA leading; BCF/rebel muted; and Macpac underperforming), with group LFL growth of +1.5% through the first seven weeks.

A positive update, driven by outperformance from SUL’s core SCA/rebel brands, while BCF is continuing to progress on strategic initiatives (store format/fitment), delivering +5.5% total sales growth and cycling easing comps in the near-term.

Despite a solid start to FY27, we view the valuation (~14x PE) as reasonable relative to near-term growth expectations.

APA Group Ltd (ASX: APA)

The APA share price is $10.55, up 3.5% today and up 19% over 12 months. 

Morgans kept its trim rating on this ASX 200 utilities share in place after reviewing the FY26 results.

The broker has a 12-month share price target of $8.66.

This implies a potential 16% downside ahead.

Morgans explained its sell rating on APA shares: 

Operating earnings growth driven by inflation, new assets and cost-out.

Long-term capital management means earnings growth does not convert into DPS growth.

Forecast EBITDA upgrades from cost-outperformance.

APA has an attractive cash yield of 5.9% at current prices on FY27 DPS guidance, but share price downside risk is material.

The post Buy hold, sell: Super Retail, APA, Sonic Healthcare shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group and Super Retail Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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