Many of Australia’s top brokers have been busy adjusting their financial models again, leading to the release of a large number of broker notes this week.

Three broker buy ratings that have caught my eye are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX 200 shares are in the buy zone:

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

According to a note out of UBS, its analysts have retained their buy rating and NZ$22.00 (A$20.64) price target on this infant formula company’s shares. UBS believes there is some upside risk to its earnings guidance for FY 2020. In addition to this, it suspects there could be a new product launch in the medium term. It feels this could be the catalyst to taking its shares higher again. I agree with UBS on a2 Milk Company and think it would be a great buy and hold investment.

Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)

A note out of the Macquarie equities desk reveals that its analysts have retained their outperform rating and lifted the price target on this hearing solutions company’s shares to $208.50. According to the note, the broker has been busy surveying audiologists. Its survey found that Cochlear has the strongest portfolio of implantable products. And while it notes that the pandemic has reduced patient volumes materially, it believes volumes will rebound when the crisis passes. And with Advanced Bionics recalling competing devices, it expects Cochlear to grow its sales quicker than the industry average. I think Macquarie is spot on and Cochlear would be a top option.

Crown Resorts Ltd (ASX: CWN)

Analysts at Morgan Stanley have upgraded this casino and resorts operator’s shares to an overweight rating with an improved price target of $12.00. According to the note, due to international travel uncertainty, it believes the gaming market will be reliant heavily on domestic tourism. Morgan Stanley thinks that the opening of Crown Sydney later this year will give it the edge over the competition and allow it to win market share from rivals. I think Morgan Stanley makes some very good points, but I’d rather wait and see how the company fares in the coming months before jumping in.  

More reading

• ASX 200 down 0.1%: Carsales update impresses, a2 Milk surges higher
• Why a2 Milk, Carsales, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, & Starpharma are surging higher
• Is $1,000 invested in AGL Energy shares a smart investment?
• How to become wealthy by investing $1,000 into ASX shares
• 3 reasons to buy ASX 200 shares right now

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of Cochlear Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of A2 Milk. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear Ltd. and Crown Resorts Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The post Top brokers name 3 ASX 200 shares to buy today appeared first on Motley Fool Australia.

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The  CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) share price has risen strongly over the past 12 months. It rose from $211.42 last June to $341.00 in mid-February this year. It then declined sharply in the first month of the coronavirus crisis to mid-March. However, after a strong rally to mid-April, where it regained most of its losses, its share price has been on a downward trajectory again.

CSL is also playing an important role during the pandemic.  It has recently entered into a new agreement to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate.

With all this in mind, is the CSL share price a buy right now?

An amazing Australian success story

Although the CSL share price has lost some recent ground, its long-term returns to shareholders have been amazing.

It has risen from a split-adjusted price of 76.6 cents back in 1994 to now be trading at $284.10. So if you had invested $10,000 back in 1994, that investment would now be worth a staggering $3.71 million!

CSL has evolved from a modest federal government department back in 1994, to become the largest company on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). It now has a market capitalisation of $129 billion.

The company has become a global market leader in blood plasma research and disease treatment, now reaching more than 60 countries.

High investment in research and development to create new products is a key factor underpinning its success.

CSL’s P/E ratio is high. Is this a reason not to invest?

CSL’s P/E ratio is 44.09. That significantly higher than the ASX market average which is around 18. However, due to CSL’s strong market differentiation and strong growth potential, I don’t think this is an issue. In addition, over the past 10 years, CSL’s P/E ratio has always been above the market average, yet its share price has continued to climb!

A similar trend has been evident over the past decade with other top Australian growth shares. These include: REA Group Limited (ASX: REA), Carsales.Com Ltd (ASX: CAR) and Seek Limited (ASX: SEK).

So, is the CSL share price a buy?

The CSL share price has been trending downwards since April. However, there doesn’t appear to be any obvious reason for this trend. In fact, despite no recent announcements, CSL’s latest business performance continues to appear quite strong. And, with its share price well below its 12-month peak in February, I think now offers a reasonable buying opportunity for long-term investors.

I believe that CSL remains well-positioned to continue delivering strong earnings growth over the next 5–10 years. It continues to have a strong new product development pipeline. There is also likely to be a steadily increasing global demand for immunoglobulin products over the years to come.

More reading

• ASX 200 down 0.1%: Carsales update impresses, a2 Milk surges higher
• Why a2 Milk, Carsales, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare, & Starpharma are surging higher
• Carsales share price up 5% following solid trade update
• Why I would buy CSL and these ASX blue chip shares
• Here are 2 top ASX tech shares for your portfolio

Phil Harpur owns shares of carsales.com Limited, CSL Ltd., REA Group Limited, and SEEK Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of CSL Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended carsales.com Limited, REA Group Limited, and SEEK Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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