Buy, hold sell: Telstra, Origin Energy & Westpac shares

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen further this week as investor sentiment continues to slide. 

Renewed conflict between the US and Iran is driving fresh fears about oil prices and supply, inflation, and the potential for further interest rate hikes.

Let’s find out how the shift in sentiment is affecting major ASX 200 shares like Westpac Banking Corporation (ASX: WBC), Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG), and Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and what brokers tip next.

Buy Origin Energy shares

Origin Energy shares closed the day up around 1% on Tuesday afternoon, at $11.32 a piece. The shares spiked to $12.11 after the company ported an impressive FY26 result last month, but the shares have since slid around 7%, wiping out most of the gains. 

For the year-to-date, Origin shares are largely flat, and they’re around 8% lower than 12 months ago.

It looks like profit-taking investors sold up shortly following the share price spike, and the macro situation hasn’t helped either. Rising oil prices and renewed inflation concerns have spooked investors and contributed to a board ASX sell off. 

But it looks like market experts are confident that we’ll see a rebound ahead.

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a buy rating on the ASX energy shares, and the $12.09 average target price implies a potential 7% upside, at the time of writing.

Hold Telstra shares

Telstra shares ended the day flat on Tuesday afternoon, at $4.79 a piece. The ASX telco shares have rebounded around 5% since hitting an annual low in late August. The shares are down around 2% year-to-date and around 1% lower than 12 months ago.

The shares tumbled after the telco posted its FY26 results mid-month, with revenue down 0.8% and underlying earnings up 4.4%. However, not long after, investors swooped back in to snap them up at a lower valuation.

As a classic defensive stock, Telstra shares are also benefiting from the latest flight to security amid renewed geopolitical volatility.

Brokers aren’t convinced that there is much more room for growth going forward. Market Index data shows the majority have a hold rating on Telstra shares. But the $5.01 average target price implies an upside of around 4% at the time of writing.

Sell Westpac shares

Westpac shares slid around another 1% on Tuesday, ending the day at $34.58 per share. August was a tough month for ASX bank shares, with declines across the board. Again, renewed inflation concerns and interest rate fears have seen investors sell up their shares in the major bank.

Falling mortgage demand, a weakening housing market, tight competition and squeezed margins are also acting as headwinds for Westpac shares.

The shares are now down around 11% for the year-to-date and are about 9% lower than 12 months ago.

But it doesn’t look like there is potential for a rebound ahead. 

Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have a sell rating on Westpac shares. And the $22.91 average target price implies the shares could fall around another 2%, at the time of writing.

The post Buy, hold sell: Telstra, Origin Energy & Westpac shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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 positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.