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

    three excited doctors with hands in the air

    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.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Sonic Healthcare right now?

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    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.*

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    * 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 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.

  • Why Megaport, Lendlease and JB Hi-Fi shares all crashed 14% to 15% this week

    Stressed businessman sits in panic amid digital stock market financial background.

    Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1), Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC), and JB Hi Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) shares have had a week to forget.

    As have their shareholders.

    With just a few hours of trade left before Friday’s closing bell, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.7% for the week, with all three of these ASX 200 stocks suffering far bigger falls.

    Here’s what caught investor attention this week.

    JB Hi-Fi shares sink on growth outlook

    At time of writing, JB HI-FI shares are trading for $69.25 apiece, down 15.3% since last Friday’s close.

    Investors were reaching for their sell buttons on Monday following the release of JB Hi-Fi’s FY 2026 results, sending the ASX 200 electronics retailer down 12.3% on the day.

    That came despite the company reporting all-time high revenue of $11.06 billion, up 4.8% year on year.

    And on the bottom line, JB Hi-Fi achieved a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $490 million, up 6% from FY 2025.

    But JB Hi-Fi shares may have come under pressure, with the final fully franked dividend of $1.27 per share down 38% from last year’s final payout.

    Investors also appear to have been concerned with 1.4% decline in comparable sales growth for JB Hi-Fi Australia for the month of July (the first month of FY 2027).

    Lendlease shares fall on full year loss

    Getting walloped alongside JB Hi-Fi shares this week, Lendlease shares are down 14.2% since last Friday’s close, currently trading for $2.77 apiece.

    The ASX 200 international property developer also reported its FY 2026 results on Monday, with shares closing down 11.2% on the day.

    While the company’s Investments, Development and Construction (IDC) segment reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $542 million, at the top end of guidance, investors were selling Lendlease shares amid the material one-off impairments in the company’s Capital Release Unit (CRU).

    On the bottom line, Lendlease reported a statutory loss after tax of $749 million for the 12-month period.

    Megaport shares tumble on mixed results

    Joining Lendlease and JB Hi-Fi shares in the doghouse this week we find Megaport.

    At time of writing, Megaport shares are changing hands for $18.41 each, down 14.3% for the week.

    The ASX 200 network services company has closed in the red every day this week, with shares tumbling 5.1% on Thursday on the heels of Megaport’s own FY 2026 results release.

    Some of that selling may come down to profit taking. On Wednesday, the day before the results release, Megaport shares had gained around 79% since 2 January.

    Indeed, the company reported $312 million in full year revenue, up 37% from FY 2025. And EBITDA of $77 million was up by 24%.

    However, on the bottom line, Megaport’s statutory net loss climbed from $300,000 in FY 2025 to $39 million in FY 2026, which clearly didn’t escape investors’ notice.

    The post Why Megaport, Lendlease and JB Hi-Fi shares all crashed 14% to 15% this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Jb Hi-Fi right now?

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

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    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 Bernd Struben 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 Megaport. 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.

  • 16 ASX 200 shares with ex-dividend dates next week

    A man points at a paper as he holds an alarm clock, indicating the ex-dividend date is approaching.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.3% to 9,053.8 points on Friday.

    As the earnings season continues, more companies are announcing their next dividends.

    We’ll help you keep track of ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday over the next two months.

    Here are the ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend next week.

    ASX shares with ex-dividend dates ahead

    Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)

    This ASX 200 financial share will pay an 80% franked dividend of 20 cents per share on 28 September.

    IAG shares go ex-dividend on Monday, 24 August.

    QBE Insurance Ltd (ASX: QBE)

    QBE will pay a 30% franked dividend of 33 cents per share on 2 October.

    The ex-dividend date is Monday, 24 August.

    Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

    This ASX 200 energy share will pay an unfranked dividend of 11.6 US cents per share on 23 September.

    Santos shares go ex-dividend on Monday, 24 August.

    Amotiv Ltd (ASX: AOV)

    This ASX 200 retail stock will pay a 100% franked dividend of 23 cents per share on 15 September.

    Amotiv shares go ex-dividend on Tuesday 25 August.

    Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR)

    This ASX 200 materials share will pay a 100% franked dividend of 10.8 cents per share on 22 September.

    The ex-dividend date is Tuesday 25 August.

    AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL)

    This ASX 200 utilities stock will pay a 100% franked dividend of 26 cents per share on 24 September.

    AGL shares go ex-dividend on Tuesday 25 August.

    Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)

    This ASX 200 financial stock will pay a fully franked dividend of 17.5 cents per share on 17 September.

    Challenger shares go ex-dividend on Tuesday 25 August.

    Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

    This ASX 200 telco will pay a 90% franked dividend of 10.5 cents per share on 24 September.

    The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, 26 August.

    The Lottery Corporation (ASX: TLC)

    This ASX 200 consumer discretionary share will pay a 100% franked dividend of 8.5 cents per share on 24 September.

    Lottery Corp shares go ex-dividend on Wednesday, 26 August.

    JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

    This ASX 200 retail share will pay a 100% franked dividend of $1.27 per share on 11 September.

    JB Hi-Fi shares go ex-dividend on Thursday, 27 August.

    SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG)

    This ASX 200 industrial stock will pay a 100% franked dividend of 4 cents per share on 11 September.

    The ex-dividend date is Thursday, 27 August.

    Ebos Group Ltd (ASX: EBO)

    This ASX 200 healthcare share will pay a 97% franked dividend of 63.7 NZD cents per share on 18 September.

    Ebos shares go ex-dividend on Thursday, 27 August.

    REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

    This ASX 200 communications share will pay a fully franked dividend of $1.73 per share on 11 September.

    The ex-dividend date is Thursday, 27 August.

    Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)

    This ASX 200 energy stock will pay a fully franked dividend of 2 cents per share on 30 September.

    The ex-dividend date is Friday, 28 August.

    Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA)

    This ASX 200 materials stock will pay an unfranked dividend of 4 cents per share on 6 October.

    The ex-dividend date is Friday, 28 August.

    Iress Ltd (ASX: IRE)

    This ASX 200 tech stock will pay a 100% franked dividend of 14 cents per share on 28 September.

    The ex-dividend date is Friday, 28 August.

    The post 16 ASX 200 shares with ex-dividend dates next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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    * 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 The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Challenger, Srg Global, and The Lottery Corporation. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.