Value investing is the core principle of many successful investors. 

This includes legendary investors like Warren Buffett. 

But it doesn’t take a mathematical genius to apply it to your own portfolio. 

The core ethos is simple: buy low and sell high.

You don’t have to time it to perfection 

There are plenty of strategies you might consider for your portfolio. However, one of the benefits of value investing is that you don’t need to time a purchase to perfection. 

All stocks go up and down, but when you apply a long-term strategy, there are instances where quality blue-chip companies fall too far, past fair value. 

This can happen even in the midst of real headwinds, and this is where value investors swoop in. 

It’s important to be less concerned with getting the perfect valuation, but rather focus on identifying companies whose long-term prospects remain intact despite short-term setbacks. 

When the market overreacts to temporary challenges, it can push the share price well below what the business is really worth. For investors willing to look beyond the next quarter or even year, those periods can provide some of the best buying opportunities.

With that in mind, here are three blue-chips that are offering compelling value opportunities right now. 

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW)

Light and Wonder is one of the largest ASX consumer discretionary companies. 

It develops technology-based products and services, as well as associated content. It operates through the following segments: Gaming, SciPlay, and iGaming.

In 2026, its share price has fallen 30%, and now appears to be a long-term value option. 

It currently trades for around $107 per share. 

This is almost 90% below recent targets from Macquarie. 

Furthermore, 22 analysts offering a one year price target via TradingView have an average target of $179.09 on this blue-chip stock. 

That indicates roughly 66% upside from current levels. 

JB Hi Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

Another blue-chip discretionary stock that could be a value play is JB Hi Fi. 

The specialty retailer of home entertainment and home appliance products has seen its share price fall 27% over the last year. 

It currently is trading at approximately $78 per share. 

However, Bell Potter currently has a buy rating on JB Hi-Fi shares with a price target of $87.

Of 15 analysts forecasts via TradingView, the highest targets sit at $98 per share. 

These targets indicate an upside between 11% and 25%. 

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL is the largest ASX healthcare stock by market cap. 

This is despite its share price tumbling nearly 50% in the last 12 months. 

While the company faces ongoing sector headwinds, this could be a long-term value play, as the stock now appears oversold. 

The underlying business remains strong as CSL maintains its position as one of the world’s largest plasma-derived therapies companies.

A recent target from Morgans indicates the share price is likely to recover in the long term. 

The broker has a buy rating and price target of $147.59 on this blue-chip stock. 

This indicates a 17% upside from current levels. 

The post 3 ASX blue-chip shares that could be strong long-term value plays appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• Up 36%: Can CSL shares keep rebounding?
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• Is CSL a fallen ASX giant to buy in July?
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• July is historically one of the best months for ASX shares. Can July FY27 deliver?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Bell 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 and Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Light & Wonder Inc. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The team at Morgans has released a number of broker notes this week covering well-known ASX shares.

Let’s see if its analysts rate the following three shares as buys, holds, or sells. Here’s what you need to know:

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

Morgans was pleased with this investment platform provider’s contract win with Morgan Stanley. It believes this is a testament to the quality of its offering.

However, it isn’t quite enough for a buy rating. Morgans has put an accumulate rating (between buy and hold) and $27.50 price target on Netwealth’s shares. It commented:

NWL’s recent win with Morgan Stanley Wealth Management represents strong early validation of NWL’s iHIN offering and expansion into the broker segment of the market, which represents a net-flows tailwind into FY27-FY30. We see NWL’s incremental investment into FY27 as a doubling down on its strategy to drive further long-term scale benefits. We reiterate our Accumulate rating with a A$27.50 PT.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The broker has initiated coverage on Qantas shares this week. It highlights that FY 2027 is going to be a transitional year, with FY 2028 expected to be higher growth. 

As a result, Morgans has put an accumulate rating and $11.50 price target on the airline operator. It said:

Qantas’s post-COVID balance sheet strengthening and cost discipline have positioned it to absorb the current fuel cost shock and consumer softness with genuine resilience. We forecast 2H26 PBT to be down on pcp as fuel and economic conditions bite, with FY27 forecast to deliver a moderate uplift. We view FY27 as a transition year for Qantas with higher growth expected from FY28 onwards as oil prices, refining margins and demand normalise. Structural growth drivers (fleet renewal, Project Sunrise, Loyalty scaling toward FY30 target) remain intact. We initiate coverage with an ACCUMULATE rating and an A$11.50ps price target.

Silver Mines Ltd (ASX: SVL)

Another ASX share that Morgans has initiated coverage on its silver developer Silver Mines.

It is a fan of the company and sees significant potential in its Bowdens Silver Project in New South Wales. This has seen the broker put a speculative buy rating and 40 cents price target on Silver Mines shares, which is more than triple its current share price. It explains:

Silver Mines is advancing the 100%-owned Bowdens Silver Project in the Central West region of NSW, Australia’s largest undeveloped silver project and one of the largest primary silver development assets globally, underpinned by a 334Moz AgEq Mineral Resource and 71.7Moz Ag Ore Reserve. Our thesis rests on what we view as an increasingly compelling asymmetry in Bowdens’ risk-reward profile, underpinned by exceptional leverage to a strengthening silver price, a technically mature development plan and a more clearly defined permitting pathway. Despite this improving outlook, the stock continues to trade at a material discount to our assessed intrinsic value. 

We see the improving silver market, permitting progress and the approaching DFS collectively driving a period of meaningful value creation. We initiate coverage with a SPECULATIVE BUY recommendation and a target price of A$0.40 per share.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Netwealth, Silver Mines, and Qantas shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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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 positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Netwealth Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

ASX bank shares have been one of the market’s favourite hiding spots for years. But after a huge run in the past five years, one major broker thinks investors may be overstaying their welcome.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) has slapped sell ratings on three of Australia’s biggest banks – Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB).

The common theme? Valuations have raced ahead of fundamentals.

In other words, the broker isn’t questioning whether these are great businesses. It simply believes investors are paying too much for them.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia

If Morgan Stanley had a least-favourite ASX bank share, CBA would probably wear the crown. In 2026, CBA shares have risen 4.7% in 2026 to $168.11 but are down 6% over 12 months.

The broker has a target price of $125 on CBA shares, implying around 26% downside from current levels.

Why so bearish? The biggest issue is valuation. CBA trades on the richest price-to-earnings multiple of any major Australian bank despite operating in a mature, highly competitive market.

Morgan Stanley also sees pressure on net interest margins, slowing earnings growth and limited upside from here after years of strong share price performance.

That doesn’t mean CBA is suddenly a bad business. Far from it.

It remains Australia’s largest bank, with market-leading positions in home lending, deposits and digital banking. It also consistently delivers industry-leading profitability, strong capital generation and fully franked dividends.

Quality isn’t the problem. The price investors are paying for that quality is.

Westpac Banking Corp

Westpac shares have also enjoyed a solid run, climbing 4.6% over the past month. They’re still down 6% this year, but remain almost 9% higher than a year ago.

Morgan Stanley believes the stock could fall around 13%, assigning a price target of $31.50.

The main risks for this ASX bank share are margin pressure, fierce competition for mortgages and deposits, and limited earnings growth as key risks. Banks continue to fight aggressively for customers, making it harder to grow profits without sacrificing pricing.

Still, Westpac has plenty going for it. Its large retail banking franchise provides stable earnings, while ongoing investments in technology and simplification should gradually improve efficiency.

Like its peers, it also offers an attractive, fully franked dividend that continues to appeal to income-focused investors.

National Australia Bank

NAB has been the strongest performer of the trio recently, jumping 9% over the past month.

Even so, Morgan Stanley isn’t buying the rally of the ASX bank share. Its $34.50 price target suggests roughly 12% downside from current levels.

The broker believes business banking competition is intensifying, while slowing economic growth could eventually weigh on business lending demand and bad debts. Rising operating costs also remain a challenge.

On the positive side, NAB arguably boasts Australia’s strongest business banking franchise. Its deep relationships with small and medium-sized businesses provide a competitive advantage that’s difficult to replicate.

Combined with a solid balance sheet and dependable dividend payments, NAB remains a high-quality bank despite the broker’s concerns.

Foolish takeaway

Morgan Stanley’s message is clear: great businesses don’t always make great investments when expectations become too optimistic.

For long-term investors already holding these ASX bank shares, there’s little reason to panic. But for those thinking of buying today, it may be worth asking whether too much good news is already reflected in the share prices.

The post Expert warns: These ASX bank shares could disappoint in FY27 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Dump ’em! Morgan Stanley slaps sell ratings on 5 ASX 200 shares
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Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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.