CSL, Westpac, BHP shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has dipped into the red on Tuesday morning as oil prices climb higher and gold falls. 

Find out how three of the biggest ASX 200 shares, CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are tracking today. And which one brokers rate as a buy, a hold, and a sell.

BUY CSL shares

CSL shares are up around 0.5% at the time of writing on Tuesday, to $185.21 a piece. The ASX biotech shares have now rebounded 101% from a 10-year low in June. They’re 8% higher year to date.

Last week, the company said it had entered into an exclusive US$1.6 billion deal with Alentis Therapeutics for lixudebart, a treatment targeting rare kidney and liver conditions.

CSL is expected to make an initial upfront payment of US$355 million to Alentis Therapeutics, and it will make additional commercial milestone payments of up to US$1.2 billion depending on the commercial success.

The update follows a rebound in investor confidence and a robust FY26 results announcement in August. The company said that it expects a return to growth in FY27. 

The experts are confident that the company can deliver. Market Index shows the majority have a buy rating on the shares, but after the latest increase, the $159.86 average target price implies a downside of around 14%, at the time of writing.

HOLD BHP shares

BHP shares have slumped lower today, down around 1.5% to $61.57 at the time of writing. Despite the decline, the shares are still up around 35% year to date and 47% higher than this time last year.

It looks like ASX mining shares are facing headwinds from broad market weakness and ongoing operational disruptions.

Last month, BHP was forced to suspend mining activities at its Escondida copper mine in Chile after a fatal accident. Under Chilean mining regulations, operations cannot restart following a fatal accident until safety inspectors have confirmed that conditions are safe. There is no indication when production might resume. 

Higher oil prices today also act as a headwind for BHP because they drive up operational costs. Trading Economics shows that crude oil has surpassed US$93 per barrel this morning, following three consecutive sessions of gains.

Investors are hesitant about BHP shares, and so are the experts. Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a hold rating on the mining shares. The current $61.50 average target price is close to flat on the trading price at the time of writing.

SELL Westpac shares

Westpac shares are slightly higher at the time of writing, up around 0.5% to $34.71 a piece. The increase is good news for investors. The ASX bank shares have tumbled around 11% lower for the year to date, and they’re also 11% lower than a year ago.

The Reserve Bank’s latest interest rate hike continues to put pressure on Westpac shares. The move also comes at a time when there is a broad slowdown in Australia’s property market, lower mortgage applications, and falling confidence in bank shares.

Westpac shares have been pushed into the spotlight this week amid fresh media reports that it plans to cut 102 jobs as part of its restructuring plans. The Financial Services Union (FSU) said Westpac is proposing to restructure its Risk, Institutional Banking, and Finance teams, affecting a total of 174 jobs. Of those roles, 102 positions will be made redundant, while the remaining 72 will be moved to comparable roles.

Market Index data shows that the experts are already bearish about the outlook for Westpac shares. The majority have a sell rating on the shares. The average target price of $34.18 implies a downside of around 1% at the time of writing.

The post CSL, Westpac, BHP shares: Buy, hold, or sell? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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