• Buy, hold, sell: Coles, NAB, CSL shares

    A group of market analysts sit and stand around their computers in an open-plan office environment.

    S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares edged 0.11% lower last week, closing at 8,731.2 points on Friday.

    On The Bull this week, Dylan Evans from Catapult Wealth explains his ratings on three ASX 200 shares.

    Let’s take a look.  

    Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

    The Coles share price closed at $23.12 on Friday, down 0.47% for the week.  

    Evans has a buy rating on this ASX 200 consumer staples share. 

    He said: 

    The supermarket industry structure remains favourable, with Coles and competitor Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) dominating market share.

    Coles posted group sales revenue of $45.580 billion in full year 2026, up 2.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Excluding significant items, group earnings before interest and tax of $2.322 billion was up 9.9 per cent.

    Supermarket eCommerce sales was a highlight, growing 26.4 per cent.

    Coles offers a reliable dividend yield, backed by defensive earnings.

    Catalysts for growth include online expansion, population growth and supply chain automation.

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

    The CSL share price closed at $175.59 on Friday, up 5.08% for the week.  

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

    He commented: 

    The CSL share price has partially recovered after the company posted a brighter outlook at its 2026 full year results.

    A promising sign was profit growth guidance in full year 2027, driven by the core blood plasma business. This guidance should provide the market with confidence about CSL’s brighter future after a difficult period.

    There’s potential value in the stock, particularly if CSL achieves guidance and growth recovers.

    National Australia Bank (ASX: NAB)

    The NAB share price closed at $38.47 on Friday, down 0.65% for the week.  

    Evans has a sell rating on this ASX 200 bank share. 

    He said: 

    Revenue grew by 2 per cent in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026 when compared to the first half quarterly average. Cash earnings also increased by 2 per cent.

    In our view, the broader banking sector is facing several headwinds. The Federal Government announced changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing in the May Budget. Investment loan applications have slowed amid a cost of living crisis.

    While the NAB business is well managed and the balance sheet is solid, it’s difficult to identify any significant growth on the horizon.

    Investors may want to consider taking some profits and explore superior earnings growth opportunities elsewhere.

    The post Buy, hold, sell: Coles, NAB, CSL shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * 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 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.

  • Guess which ASX 200 stock was downgraded to a sell rating

    Frustrated man looking exhausted while sitting at his desk with his laptop and carrying his glasses in his hand.

    Now could be the time to sell the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) share in this article.

    That’s because the team at Bell Potter has just put a sell rating on its shares and is warning of significant downside potential.

    Which ASX 200 share?

    The share in question is coal miner New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC).

    Bell Potter notes that New Hope released its results this month and delivered a profit below expectations. It said:

    Earlier this week, NHC reported FY26 underlying EBITDA of $514m (pre-reported) and statutory NPAT of $161m (BP est. $183m), below our estimates with higher finance expenses. In FY26, NHC realised an average price of A$145/t and average group FOB cash cost (excluding royalties) A$89/t (up 8% YoY) for an underlying margin of A$45/t, down 30% YoY with lower realised thermal coal prices. 

    Though, one positive was that the ASX 200 share is paying a much larger than expected dividend despite the profit weakness. Bell Potter adds:

    Operating cash flow was $564m and capex $193m for free cash flow $403m. A 30cps fully franked final dividend was declared (BPe 14cps, VA consensus 15cps), equating to $253m or 157% of statutory NPAT. At 31 July 2026, NHC had cash and liquid investments of $778m and debt (including leases) of $447m, for net cash of $332m. FY27 guidance was not released; NHC typically publish initial guidance with the October quarterly production report scheduled for November 2026.

    Downgraded to sell

    According to the note, Bell Potter has downgraded the ASX 200 share to a sell rating (from hold) with a $5.00 price target. 

    Based on its current share price of $6.38, this implies potential downside of almost 22% for investors over the next 12 months.

    Commenting on the downgrade, the broker said:

    We have downgraded our NHC recommendation to Sell on recent share price appreciation. Our $5.00/sh Target Price already incorporates a 14% premium to our sum-of-the-parts valuation, reflecting NHC’s leverage to global energy security themes amplified by recent geopolitical tensions. We expect energy markets will normalise over the near-term. Beyond the ramp-up of New Acland Stage 3, NHC has a limited organic production growth pipeline, and we expect earnings will peak in FY27. We expect NHC may participate in further industry consolidation as an acquirer.

    Overall, this could make it worth keeping your powder dry for the time being and waiting for a better entry point down the line.

    The post Guess which ASX 200 stock was downgraded to a sell rating appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in New Hope right now?

    Before you buy New Hope 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 New Hope 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 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.

  • 1 ASX dividend stock down 49% I’d buy right now

    A elder man and woman lean over their balcony with a cuppa, indicating share rpice movement for ASX retirement shares

    The ASX dividend stock Regis Healthcare Ltd (ASX: REG) has fallen a huge 49% from its high just over a year ago and this looks like a great time to invest.

    Regis is one of the largest aged care operators in Australia. It provides services to more than 10,000 older Australians through residential aged care homes, home care service hubs, day therapy, respite centres and retirement villages.

    Some of the decline happened earlier this month after the company noted that the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) starting price will increase 2.55% from $295.64 to $303.19, starting 1 October 2026.

    The government also announced that the hotelling supplement will remain unchanged at $22.15 per resident per day.

    Regis Healthcare said that the price increase is significantly below cost inflation in the sector and the broader economy.

    I think the ASX dividend stock is a buy for multiple reasons.

    Significantly cheaper

    It’s clear that conditions in the short-term are more challenging for Regis Healthcare, but I think the share price has more than made up for that.

    It has fallen by roughly half in the space of a year. A share price is meant to reflect a company’s long-term future potential. I don’t think its long-term prospects have worsened by around 50%.

    The company is still benefiting from the long-term tailwind of Australia’s ageing population. In FY26, its total occupied bed days increased 8.4% to 2.85 million, with its average occupancy increased by 0.7 percentage points to 95.8%.

    FY26’s aged care revenue per occupied bed grew 6.7%, while aged care staff expenses per occupied bed rose 8.3%.

    FY26 underlying operating profit (EBITDA) climbed 10% to $138 million, underlying net profit grew 4% to $55.6 million, and statutory net profit rose 14% to $55.7 million.

    After falling so far, the business now trades at a much more appealing price/earnings (P/E) ratio.

    According to the forecast on Commsec, the Regis Healthcare share price is now valued at 28x FY27’s estimated earnings.

    Regis Healthcare said the industry requires 10,000 new beds per year to meet potential demand. In 2025, the industry added around 800 beds, falling well short of that target. As one of the big players in the sector, the ASX share will be an important player in meeting that demand in the coming years.

    Mitigating actions to help protect against margin reduction

    While the latest price update for aged care providers may not match expense growth, it will partially offset the rise in costs. Plus, the ASX dividend stock is undertaking a range of initiatives to mitigate ongoing margin pressures.

    Its initiatives include an increase to room prices, a rollout of ‘higher everyday living fee (HELF)’ services, other revenue optimisation, and operational efficiency initiatives.

    Hopefully those ideas will help reduce the burden of increased costs, without reducing service at its homes.

    Pleasing dividend credentials with the ASX dividend stock

    I’m not expecting a dividend increase from the business every year, though it has increased its annual payout each year for the last four consecutive years.

    FY27 could see a reduction based on likely reduced profitability, but then projections suggest a return to regular dividend growth in the subsequent years.

    According to the projection on Commsec, it could pay an annual dividend per share of 15.1 cents in FY27. That’d be a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.6%, including franking credits.

    The FY29 annual dividend is projected to be 19.2 cents per share – larger than the FY26 dividend. This would be a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.8%, including franking credits.

    I believe the ASX dividend stock’s payout could grow materially over the next five to ten years as ageing-demographic tailwinds continue to strengthen. This could be a good time to pounce.

    The post 1 ASX dividend stock down 49% I’d buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

    Before you buy Regis Healthcare 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 Regis Healthcare 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 Tristan Harrison 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.

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