In afternoon trade, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is on course to start the week with a small decline. At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 0.1% to 8,818.5 points.

Four ASX shares that are not letting that hold them back are listed below. Here’s why they are rising:

A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)

The A2 Milk share price is up over 1% to $6.78. Investors have been buying this infant formula company’s shares after it received approval from the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) to transition the two China label infant milk formula (IMF) product registrations that were acquired in connection with the a2 Pokeno facility to a2 branded products. A2 Milk’s CEO, David Bortolussi, said: “SAMR approval marks a significant milestone in our China growth strategy and Supply Chain transformation. It supports long-term growth in our core IMF business through market access and innovation, accelerates the development of advanced nutritional manufacturing capability, and captures attractive financial returns through incremental brand contribution and vertical margin capture.”

Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX: LIN)

The Lindian Resources share price is up almost 10% to 90.5 cents. This morning, this rare earths developer provided an update on construction progress at its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi. Lindian Resources’ executive director, Zac Komur, commented: “Kangankunde is delivering outstanding progress, with construction, mining readiness, procurement, infrastructure and operational preparation all advancing strongly.”

Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN)

The Perenti share price is up 5% to $2.40. This follows news that its Barminco business has been awarded the contract to provide underground mining services at Barrick Mining’s Fourmile Project in the United States. Management revealed that the contract has an estimated value of $275 million and a 45-month term. Work is due to commence in July. CEO Vanessa Torres said: “Securing the underground mining contract at Fourmile is an exciting development for our North America team. We look forward to expanding our relationship with Barrick through this project. This supports our strategy to expand operations in tier-one mining jurisdictions and continues our disciplined growth into the North American market with both Barminco and Swick.”

SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH)

The SGH share price is up 2.5% to $44.42. This morning, this diversified investment company announced plans to undertake a $500 million on-market share buy-back over the next 12 months. Management advised that it made the decision after a sustained period of strong operating cash flow and de-leveraging. It notes that its leverage has reduced below its through-the-cycle target of 2.0x.

The post Why A2 Milk, Lindian Resources, Perenti, and SGH shares are pushing higher today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• A2 Milk shares jump 7% on big China and special dividend news
• These ASX shares were buy rated even before today’s $500m buyback. How high could they go?
• SGH announces $500m buy-back and highlights financial strength
• a2 Milk Company gets China approval and plans $300m dividend
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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.

Well, that was fast!

Last week, investors were assured by United States President Donald Trump that the Strait of Hormuz would fully reopen for oil shipments and other cargo vessels on Friday. But over the weekend, Iran claimed that the vital shipping route was once again closed for business.

The original reopening of the Strait of Hormuz – which was responsible for some 25% of global oil and gas shipments prior to the Middle East war – came following a tentative peace deal between the US and Iran.

But that deal looks to be fraying amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon.

In response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Iran’s leaders said the US is in breach of its agreement to not only halt attacks on its own territory but also to stop the fighting in Lebanon.

Trump took a decidedly different approach. The US president wrote on social media:

Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!

Despite Iran’s claims, oil tankers were still reported to be moving through the contested shipping route over the weekend.

Negotiations, spearheaded by US Vice President JD Vance, remain ongoing, with the latest reports indicating the strait may remain open.

Or not…

What does the Strait of Hormuz closure mean for ASX shares?

So far, ASX investors appear to be taking the news in stride.

At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has climbed out of the red to be up 0.2%.

Technology stocks are having a tougher run of it, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) down 1% at this same time.

That’s likely because a breakdown of the peace deal and a renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz will drive oil prices higher again. This, in turn, will stoke inflation and pressure central banks to raise interest rates.

ASX tech stocks are often more sensitive to interest rate moves, as they tend to be priced with future earnings in mind. And as rates go up, so too does the price of investing in those future earnings.

Gold shares also often take a hit amid concerns over rising inflation and rates. But most of the ASX gold stocks are bucking that historic trend today, with the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) up 2% on Monday. This follows a 1.3% increase in the gold price to US$4,211 per ounce.

And while the Brent crude oil price is up 0.7% to US$81.10 per barrel (according to data from Bloomberg), the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) is down 0.9% today as traders hedge their bets on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations.

The ASX 200 Energy Index remains up 14.4% year to date.

What should I do if I’m buying ASX shares?

If you’re a day trader, issues like the closure and potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz present some great opportunities to make, or lose, a lot of money.

If you’re buying ASX shares for the long term, the best thing to do is to try to avoid changing your investment plans based on the daily and weekly news cycles.

Long-term investors would do well to continue to focus on buying quality companies at a good price. Also, to look for strong management teams, solid growth prospects, and sizeable moats in place to keep would-be competitors at bay.

The post The Strait of Hormuz is closed again! What does that mean if you’re buying ASX shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares started the day in the red on Monday but are rising in mid-morning trading.

ASX 200 shares are currently up 0.1% to 8,840.3 points.

Among the 11 market sectors, the consumer discretionary sector is in the lead today, up 0.6%.

The tech sector is the laggard, down 0.7%.

Meanwhile, on The Bull this week, three experts give us their opinions and recommendations on three ASX 200 shares.

Let’s take a look.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

The JB Hi-Fi share price is $78.94, up 1.3% today and down 18% in the calendar year to date (YTD). 

Toby Grimm from Baker Young has a buy rating on this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share.

Grimm said: 

The share price of this consumer electronics giant has significantly fallen since August 2025 in response to cost of living and supply chain cost pressures and increasing interest rates.

Despite these issues, JBH is expected to deliver positive sales and underlying earnings growth during the next two years.

The outlook for consumer electronics remains structurally sound. Diminishing rate hike expectations is another positive.

The stock is trading on more appealing multiples compared to 2025 and was recently offering an attractive dividend yield above 5 per cent.

Following three interest rate rises already this year, some experts expect the Reserve Bank’s next move will be a cut due to low GDP growth, recent softer inflation data, and consumer sentiment falling to one of its weakest levels in 50 years.

Given the market looks 6 to 12 months ahead, it seems that value investors may be looking for opportunities in ASX 200 retail shares today.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

Santos shares are $7.31 apiece, up 0.1% today and up 19% YTD. 

Niv Dagan from Peak Asset Management has a hold rating on this ASX 200 energy share. 

Dagan said much of the near-term upside for Santos shares depends on successful execution of major projects.

Barossa is online and ramping up, while the Pikka phase 1 in Alaska has started production, with both expected to materially increase free cash flow at plateau rates.

Management is also targeting at least 60 per cent of free cash flow for shareholder returns and a $2.5 billion reduction in net debt by 2030.

However, the investment case still relies on commodity prices, capital discipline and the delivery of a large multi-year development pipeline across Australia, Papua New Guinea and Alaska.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

The Westpac share price is $35.03, up 0.1% today and down 10% YTD.

Christopher Watt from Bell Potter Securities has a sell rating on this ASX 200 bank share.

Watt explained: 

The business is improving on the metrics that matter, but the operating backdrop is weakening.

Mortgage applications since the Federal Budget in May are below the prior two quarters, pointing to a slowdown in housing credit growth into next year.

Proposed tax changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing have soured sentiment, and there’s no fresh financial guidance to lean on.

With Westpac’s stock trading near the top of its range amid a possible earnings downgrade, I see more downside than upside from here.

The Federal Government has proposed that the 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount for assets held longer than 12 months be replaced by a cost base inflation indexation method from 1 July 2027. Additionally, a minimum 30% CGT rate will apply.

To incentivise new housing, investors in new residential properties will be able to choose between the two CGT methods when they sell.

Also, from 1 July 2027, investors will not be able to negatively gear established properties purchased for investment, but will be able to do so with new homes.

The post Buy, hold, sell: JB Hi-Fi, Westpac, Santos shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 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.