As we approach the final few days of September, all eyes are on which shares could drive the share market higher next month.

Here’s the latest out of Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Westpac Banking Corporation Ltd (ASX: WBC), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares, and what brokers expect for each of the stocks next.

Brokers rate CSL shares as a BUY

CSL shares rebounded strongly through August, and have continued climbing higher in September. Over the past month, the ASX biotech stock has climbed around 6% higher, and it’s now also up 6% for the year-to-date, having regained earlier losses shed in the first quarter of 2026. At the time of writing the shares are trading at $182.85.

The shares rebounded off the back of a strong FY26 result in August, when the company posted a total revenue and NPAT which came in way ahead of guidance. Management described FY26 as a ‘reset year’, with FY27 marking a return to growth.

This, combined with a sectorwide rotation back into ASX healthcare shares over the past month has helped reignite investor confidence back into the company and its potential for future growth.

The experts are still very optimistic too. TradingView data shows the majority of analysts (11 out of 19) have a buy/strong buy rating on the shares. But after the latest strong rally, the $182.85 target price is flat on where the shares are trading at the time of writing. 

Brokers rate Fortescue shares as a HOLD

Fortescue shares have slumped lower in September, continuing a run of losses shed since early-June. At the time of writing the shares are trading at $16.26, which is around 8% lower than a month ago and roughly 26% lower for the year-to-date.

The mining shares have been hit by headwinds from volatile iron ore prices, and conflict in the Middle East has also put downward pressure on the Fortescue share price. Last month, the miner posted a mixed FY26 result which didn’t help reignite confidence either.

Brokers are reserved about where the share price could go to next. TradingView data shows the majority of analysts have a hold rating on Fortescue shares. Although, after the latest share price slump, the $17.73 average target price implies the shares could still climb another 9% higher over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.

Brokers rate Westpac shares as a SELL

Westpac shares have had a mixed month. The ASX bank shares have swung between $35.04 and $33.85 throughout September as the market tries to come to terms with the latest inflation data, a weakening property market, and future interest rate increases.

At the time of writing, Westpac shares are trading for $34.92 a piece. They’ve climbed 1% over the past month but are still down around 10% for the year-to-date.

Westpac’s third-quarter FY26 update, posted last month, was good on the surface, but investors were spooked by the bank’s red flags around weaker mortgage demand. Westpac said mortgage application volumes declined through the period as competition intensified and borrowers continued to navigate interest rate uncertainty. It also said it expects mortgage growth will continue to be challenging.

TradingView data shows that the experts are bearish about the outlook for Westpac shares. The majority (nine out of 16) have a sell/strong sell rating on the shares. The average $33.42 target price implies a downside of around 4% at the time of writing.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Fortescue, Westpac, CSL 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 positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Appen Ltd (ASX: APX) shares are having a strong session on Tuesday.

The Appen share price is currently up 6.58% to $1.215, after closing yesterday at $1.14.

That takes the artificial intelligence (AI) data company’s gains to around 15% over the past week and more than 50% in 2026.

There doesn’t appear to be any new price-sensitive announcements from Appen today.

Instead, its shares look to be getting a lift from a big day across the tech sector.

So, let’s take a closer look.

Tech stocks rally

The S&P/ASX All Technology Index (ASX: XTX) is one of the best-performing areas of the market today, climbing around 2.2%.

That’s well ahead of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which is trading basically flat at the time of writing.

Several big-name tech shares are also pushing higher, adding to the positive mood across the sector.

Appen’s exposure to AI could also be helping, particularly after another solid session for tech stocks in the US overnight.

But it’s also worth remembering that Appen shares can move around quite a bit.

The stock jumped more than 7% on 22 September and another 8% the following day, before giving back some of those gains later in the week.

What’s happening at Appen?

Away from today’s share price move, things have also been looking a bit better at Appen lately.

The company reported revenue of US$119.9 million for the first half, up 17.5% from a year earlier.

Underlying EBITDA before foreign exchange also improved by US$7.5 million to US$5.3 million.

China continues to do most of the heavy lifting.

Revenue from Appen China jumped 80.4% to US$76.2 million, helped by continued demand for AI-related data services.

The Global business hasn’t been as impressive, although things improved in the June quarter.

Revenue came in at US$23.8 million, up 20% from the March quarter.

Appen is still expecting FY26 revenue of between US$270 million and US$300 million.

It is also targeting an underlying EBITDA margin before foreign exchange of around 5% to 10%.

Where to from here?

After climbing more than 50% this year, Appen shares have certainly had a much better run in 2026.

And today’s 6% jump adds to what has already been a pretty good September.

For me, the next test will be whether Appen can deliver on its FY26 guidance and keep the recent improvement going.

There’s still a long way to go before the company returns to the levels seen a few years ago.

The post Why is the Appen share price jumping 6% today? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 Appen. 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are just inside the green on Tuesday as the market awaits the next interest rate announcement at 2:30pm. 

Analysts are pricing in a 92% bet that the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) will lift the cash rate by 0.25% to 4.6%. 

Persistently high inflation, rising oil prices due to the Iran-US conflict, soaring bond yields to multi-decade highs, and rock-bottom productivity growth in Australia are among the reasons interest rates are expected to rise again.

Experts say there could even be another 0.25% bump in November, which would be the fifth in the 2026 calendar year. 

Meanwhile, experts offer their ratings and thoughts on three ASX 200 shares. 

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price is $31.21, down 1.8% today and up 33% over 12 months. 

John Athanasiou from Red Leaf Securities has a buy rating on this ASX 200 energy share. 

Athanasiou said (courtesy of The Bull): 

Woodside offers exposure to recent elevated global energy prices amid supply disruptions and continuing Middle East tensions.

Stronger realised prices should support near term cash flow and dividends.

A major risk is an easing of geopolitical tensions and a corresponding fall in crude oil prices.

However, the company delivered a solid interim result. Operating revenue of $7.446 billion in the first half of 2026 was up 13 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Underlying net profit after tax of $1.334 billion was up 7 per cent.

The Scarborough energy project is almost completed.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)

The Ramsay Health Care share price is $55.77, up 0.4% today and up 77% over 12 months. 

Morgans has a hold rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share. 

The broker said: 

Ramsay Santé’s Capital Markets Day provided detail on its new “Connecting Care 2030” strategy ahead of the proposed demerger from RHC.

The strategy targets 2-3% revenue growth and stable EBITDA margins in FY27, followed by c3% revenue growth and gradual margin improvement to FY29.

While we view the strategy as credible, the outlook points to gradual rather than significant earnings growth, with tariff constraints remaining a key headwind.

For RHC shareholders, the proposed in-specie distribution should simplify the group and provide direct ownership of Santé through ASX-tradeable CDIs.

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The Life360 share price is $18.95, down 1.9% today and down 64% over 12 months. 

Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities has a sell rating on this ASX 200 tech share. 

Gable commented: 

The company posted a 38 per cent increase in revenue in the second quarter of 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period. Total subscription revenue was up 31 per cent.

However, the share price has fallen from $29.48 on August 10 to trade at $19.44 on September 24.

We believe the business is vulnerable to increasing competition. Any earnings disappointments moving forward may further pressure the share price.

Investors may want to consider cashing in some gains.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Woodside, Life360, Ramsay Health Care 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 Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.