• Buy, hold, sell: Premier Investments, Hansen Technologies, Santos shares

    Man working on his tablet with hologram of a world map and financial-related charts.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are just inside the green at 9,062 points as earnings season continues today.

    Among the 11 market sectors, information technology is in the lead, up 3.4%, followed by materials and miners, up 3.1%.

    The financials sector is the laggard, down 2.2%, amid the market’s disappointment with Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL), down 9%.

    Meanwhile, three experts give us their views on three ASX shares.

    Let’s review. 

    Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV)

    The Premier Investments share price is $11.67, up 1.3% today and down 48% over 12 months. 

    Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share following a trading update.

    Analyst Chami Ratnapala said: 

    While we expect a period of slow growth for PMV near to medium term, we view PMV’s forward multiple as attractive considering the
    Premier Retail division together with PMV’s equity investments, land bank and cash position while retaining a strong balance sheet supportive of M&A.

    Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

    The Santos share price is $8.42, up 1.3% today and up 11% over 12 months. 

    Morgans maintained a hold rating on Santos shares after the oil and gas company’s 1H FY26 report.

    The broker said: 

    A healthy 1H26 result from STO, beating estimates with management confident following the start-up of Barossa and Pikka.

    The interim dividend will be funded out of debt, but is entirely reasonable given the 25:75 skew we expect in CY26 earnings as operations ramp up and lagged oil increases flow through.

    It is impossible to quantify the risks posed by the Federal Government’s gas reservation policy ahead of its release, but we hope it offers support for new gas supply growth that will be needed by the energy market in the coming years.

    Hansen Technologies Ltd (ASX: HSN)

    The Hansen Technologies share price is $3.18, down 5.1% today and down 43% over 12 months. 

    Andrew Wielandt from DP Wealth Advisory put a sell rating on this S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) tech share ahead of its FY26 report this week.

    On The Bull, this week, Wielandt said: 

    HSN has been subjected to a broader technology sell-off in response to investor fears that software-as-a-service firms may be impacted by large language model businesses, such as OpenAI, Anthropic and Alphabet.

    HSN shares have fallen from $6.14 on August 13, 2025 to trade at $4.30 on August 13, 2026.

    HSN is a quality company, but we prefer to sit on the sidelines at this point given a volatile technology sector.

    The post Buy, hold, sell: Premier Investments, Hansen Technologies, Santos shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Santos right now?

    Before you buy Santos shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Santos wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 Alphabet. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet and Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Westpac shares tumble to 52-week low on Thursday: Can they rebound?

    A woman with her hands over her face splits her fingers over one eye so she can peep through it.

    The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is trending higher on Thursday as a run of bumper FY26 results draws investors back into the market. But Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares are travelling in the other direction.

    At the time of writing on Thursday afternoon, Westpac shares are down around 2% to $33.86 a piece. It’s not a significant daily decline, but it comes off the back of a string of share price falls following the bank’s quarterly update earlier this month.

    On Monday last week, Westpac shares fell around 6% after it announced third-quarter net profit of $1.8 billion, excluding notable items. Its net interest margin was stable at 1.89%.

    The banking giant also reported moderate loan and deposit growth, but noted that mortgage application volumes declined thanks to stronger competition and interest rate uncertainty.

    Westpac also said it expects margins to come under more pressure in the near term.

    Westpac is the most mortgage-exposed of the big four bank shares, with approximately 69% of its loan book in residential mortgages. So, the news has raised concerns about the bank’s financial future.

    Investors were spooked by the update, quickly selling off their shares in the bank. And the sell-off has continued through to the time of writing.

    Westpac shares are now down around 11% since it posted its quarterly update, and down 13% since early August. The latest sell-off in Westpac shares has also left the stock down around 13% for the year to date and 12% lower than this time last year.

    Now investors are questioning whether the ASX bank shares can rebound or whether another share price crash is coming.

    Here’s what the experts think.

    Analyst outlook for Westpac shares over the next 12 months

    Analyst sentiment is pretty bearish on Westpac shares, and it looks like, after the latest share price tumble, the shares are now considered to be trading around fair value.

    Market Index data shows the majority of brokers have sell ratings on the shares. The $33.91 average target price now implies a potential 0.5% downside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

    Sentiment is similar on TradingView data. Despite the 11% drop in the share price over the past 10 days, brokers still forecast further downside.

    Out of 16 analysts, nine have a sell/strong sell rating on Westpac shares, and another six have a hold rating. The average $33.38 target price implies a potential 1% downside at the time of writing. Although there is a huge range between the maximum and minimum target prices. 

    Some tip the shares to fall another 16% to $28.41, while the more bearish of the bunch still think Westpac shares could climb another 33% to $45 a piece over the next 12 months.

    The post Westpac shares tumble to 52-week low on Thursday: Can they rebound? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Westpac Banking Corporation right now?

    Before you buy Westpac Banking Corporation shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Westpac Banking Corporation wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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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 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.

  • 7 ASX 200 shares with reaffirmed buy ratings this week

    Happy female accountant looking at her tablet.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are 0.25% higher at 9,075.3 points on Thursday.

    As earnings season continues, brokers have signalled continuing confidence in several ASX 200 shares this week.

    Let’s take a look.

    Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

    The Zip share price is $2.85, up 10.5% today and down 6% over 12 months.

    Citi reiterated its buy rating on Zip shares after the buy now, pay later company’s FY26 report.

    The broker has a price target of $3.55.

    This implies potential capital gains of 25% ahead for the ASX 200 financial share.

    BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

    The BHP share price is $65.26, up 2.4% today and up 56% over 12 months. 

    Morgan Stanley renewed its buy rating on BHP shares after the miner’s FY26 report.

    The broker increased its 12-month price target from $67 to $67.50.

    This suggests a potential 3% upside ahead.

    Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

    The Hub24 share price is $76.22, down 4.4% today and down 27% over 12 months.

    Morgan Stanley renewed its buy rating on Hub24 shares after the company’s FY26 report.

    The broker has a $121 target, which suggests a potential 58% upside ahead.

    Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

    The Santos share price is $8.45, up 1.7% today and up 12% over 12 months.

    Citi reaffirmed its buy rating on the ASX 200 energy share yesterday.

    This followed Santos’ 1H FY26 report.

    The broker raised its 12-month target from $8.30 to $9.

    This suggests a potential 6% upside ahead.

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    The Coles share price is $23.07, down 0.9% today and up 8% over 12 months.

    Citi renewed its buy rating on Coles shares this week.

    The broker has a $23 target on the ASX 200 consumer staples share.

    This implies the stock is already fully valued.

    Coles will report its FY26 earnings next Tuesday 25 August.

    Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

    The Telix Pharmaceuticals share price is $17.54, up 4% today and up 4% over 12 months.

    Bell Potter reiterated its buy call on the ASX 200 healthcare share after reviewing the company’s 1H FY26 report.

    The broker has a price target of $19, which implies a potential 8% upside ahead.

    Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

    The IAG share price is $7.86, down 3.6% today and down 14% over 12 months. 

    Jefferies renewed its buy rating on IAG shares after reviewing the insurer’s FY26 report.

    The broker shaved its 12-month price target from $9.45 to $9.25.

    This suggests a potential 17% upside ahead.

    The post 7 ASX 200 shares with reaffirmed buy ratings this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Zip Co right now?

    Before you buy Zip Co shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Zip Co wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 1 August 2026

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    Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Zip Co. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24, Jefferies Financial Group, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, Hub24, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.