The team at Morgans has been busy this week updating its views on three of the biggest names on the Australian share market.

Does it rate them as buys, holds, or sells? Let’s find out what the broker is saying about them:

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

Morgans was pleased with BHP’s performance during the fourth quarter, highlighting that its operational performance was better than it was expecting.

However, due to its valuation and concerns that the market is too optimistic on BHP’s copper prospects, Morgans only has a hold rating and $60.20 price target on its shares. It said:

A good end to FY26 for BHP, with an operational result largely in line with consensus and a touch ahead of our estimates in places. Normally a source of volatility, BHP’s coal operations posted decent consensus beats at both BMA and NSWEC. FY27 guidance looks steady versus our existing estimates, although consensus does look high on group copper. Best-in-breed global diversified miner in what remains a healthy upcycle for resources. We maintain our HOLD rating and A$60.20 target price.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The broker has been looking at banking giant CBA ahead of its results next month. Unfortunately, it continues to think that its valuation is stretched and has retained its sell rating on CBA shares with a trimmed price target of $117.63. It commented:

We make updates to our forecasts ahead of the FY26 result in August. Net result is 1-2% downgrades to FY27-28F EPS. 12 month target price reduces 1% to $117.63. Sell retained, given stretched valuation metrics remain implied in the share price (c.26x PER, 3.7x PBV, 2.9% cash yield).

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

Finally, Morgans was also pleased with Rio Tinto’s performance in the last quarter, noting that Pilbara iron ore shipments were stronger than expected and its copper cost guidance has been trimmed.

However, with Rio Tinto shares rising strongly over the past 12 months, the broker has retained its hold rating with a $163.00 price target. It explains:

RIO posted a healthy Q2 where it matters, with Pilbara shipments beating consensus (+2%), while we see the headline Simandou miss (-68% vs consensus) as a net positive: a slower Simandou ramp supports iron ore benchmarks, and each US$10/t on the benchmark is worth ~US$2.5bn of annual EBITDA to RIO’s far larger Pilbara business. The sting in the tail was Kennecott, with a late June converting furnace breach requiring a ~75-day full rebuild, hitting H2 refined copper and gold output (total copper including saleable matte unchanged).

Copper C1 guidance halved to US30-50c/lb, on strong by-prod prices, a material margin tailwind into the H2 result. Trading back close to where we see fair value, RIO remains one of the highest quality global exposures to a sector enjoying a multi-year upcycle (albeit not without its volatility). We maintain our HOLD rating, A$163.00 TP (was A$165.00).

The post Buy, hold, sell: BHP, CBA, and Rio Tinto shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to make $50,000 of passive income from ASX shares like CBA
• Does Macquarie rate BHP shares a buy, hold or sell right now?
• 3 top ASX 200 shares I’d buy for a self-managed superannuation fund
• Should you buy Rio Tinto and these ASX shares?
• How much do I need in my superannuation to earn an annual $60,000 passive income?

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

Vanguard offers plenty of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), which can make choosing between them harder than it first appears.

I think the best place to start is with what an investor wants the fund to achieve.

The three Vanguard ETFs below could each be strong buys for different reasons.

Vanguard Diversified High Growth Index ETF (ASX: VDHG)

Some investors want broad exposure without having to assemble and maintain a collection of shares or funds.

That is where this Vanguard ETF stands out. The VDHG ETF combines Australian shares, international shares, emerging markets, and a smaller allocation to defensive assets inside one investment. Vanguard also handles the rebalancing, so the portfolio does not gradually drift away from its intended structure.

I think that simplicity can be strong over a long holding period.

Investors can keep adding money without having to decide which country or asset class to allocate to next. They also avoid the temptation to keep changing the portfolio whenever one market becomes popular.

The fund still has a growth-focused structure, so its value can fall during weak share market periods. But for someone looking for an all-in-one investment that can sit at the centre of a long-term strategy, I think this ETF is a strong option.

Vanguard MSCI International Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VISM)

Many global ETFs are dominated by businesses that investors already know.

The VISM ETF looks further down the market. It gives investors exposure to smaller companies across developed markets outside Australia. These businesses operate across a wide range of industries and can include companies serving local markets, specialist niches, and emerging areas of demand.

I like this approach because the world economy extends far beyond the largest technology companies and consumer brands.

Smaller businesses can have more room to expand from their current size, particularly when they find a strong position in a growing market. A broad ETF spreads the investment across many companies rather than relying on one small-cap idea working out.

The trade-off is greater volatility. Smaller companies can be more sensitive to borrowing costs, economic conditions, and changes in investor confidence.

I would consider the VISM ETF as a long-term addition alongside a broader international ETF, especially for investors whose global exposure is concentrated in the market’s biggest names.

Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY)

The third ETF is aimed more directly at income.

This Vanguard ETF invests in Australian companies selected for their higher dividend yields. That can appeal to retirees and other investors who want their portfolio to produce regular distributions.

Australian companies also have the potential to attach franking credits to their dividends, which may improve the after-tax outcome for eligible investors.

I think the appeal here goes beyond the headline payout. A well-built income strategy can reduce the need to sell shares whenever cash is required.

Investors should still pay attention to where the income comes from. The Australian market has a strong presence from banks and resources companies, and their dividends can rise or fall with profits and economic conditions.

The VHY ETF could therefore suit investors who want higher income and understand that distributions will not remain identical every year.

Foolish takeaway

I think the strongest ETF decisions begin with giving each fund a clear purpose.

One investor may value the convenience of having an entire portfolio managed inside a single ETF. Another may want to widen global exposure beyond the familiar market leaders, while an income investor may place greater weight on distributions.

These Vanguard ETFs cover each of those goals. The right choice will depend on the rest of the portfolio, the investor’s time horizon, and how much volatility they are prepared to accept. For long-term investors who understand what they are buying, I think these three ETFs could all be strong choices.

The post Why these Vanguard ETFs could be strong buys appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Own Vanguard ASX ETFs? It’s dividend payday!
• VAS vs. VHY: Which is the better ASX ETF for retirement?
• I’d buy these 5 ASX dividend investments for retirement income
• How Vanguard’s biggest ASX ETFs performed in FY26
• Why I think these Vanguard ETFs are perfect buy and hold investments

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 recommended Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

July could be a good time to put fresh money to work on the ASX.

If I had $10,000 to invest in ASX 200 shares this month, I would want a mix of global growth, specialist technology, and businesses with long runways.

Here are three shares I would consider buying.

Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG)

I would start with Breville. An investment in the appliance company could give investors exposure to a business that has taken ordinary kitchen categories and turned them into premium global products.

Breville is best known for coffee machines, cooking appliances, food preparation products, and other household equipment.

The reason it stands out is that its products are often tied to habits, not just purchases. A coffee machine can become part of the morning routine, while cooking products can sit at the centre of how people prepare food at home.

That gives the brand more depth than a simple appliance label.

Breville is still exposed to consumer spending cycles, and premium products can face pressure when households become cautious. But its global footprint, strong product design, and brand positioning give it a long runway if management keeps executing well.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Another top ASX 200 share to buy could be Hub24.

The company operates an investment and superannuation platform used by financial advisers to manage client portfolios, reporting, administration, and investment options.

This is not the most obvious growth story on the ASX, but it is an important one. Australia has a large and growing pool of wealth sitting in superannuation and investment accounts. Advisers need better technology to manage that money, and clients increasingly expect clearer reporting, broader choice, and more efficient administration.

Hub24 has been taking market share from older platform providers by offering a more modern service to advisers and wealth professionals.

Competition remains a risk, and platform margins can attract pressure over time. But if the company keeps winning advisers and attracting funds, it could continue benefiting from one of the biggest structural tailwinds in Australian finance.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Finally, Pro Medicus could be an ASX 200 share to buy with the funds.

Pro Medicus is one of the ASX’s highest-quality software shares. Its Visage imaging platform is used by hospitals and radiology groups to view, manage, and distribute medical images across large healthcare networks.

The business solves a problem that is becoming more demanding. Medical scans are getting larger, imaging volumes continue to rise, and healthcare providers need systems that can move quickly across complex environments.

That is where Pro Medicus has built its reputation. Its contracts can be large, long term, and difficult to displace once the software is embedded inside hospital workflows.

The main risk is valuation. Pro Medicus often trades on high expectations, which means any disappointment can hit the share price hard.

But as a long-term holding, its mix of healthcare demand, specialist software, and global expansion potential remains compelling.

The post Where to invest $10,000 in ASX 200 shares in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Pro Medicus, Worley, and ResMed shares
• Buy, hold, sell: TechnologyOne, Pro Medicus, PLS Group shares
• 10 fantastic ASX shares to buy for FY27
• 9 ASX 200 shares with reiterated buy calls this week
• The superannuation concessional contributions cap just rose to $32,500. Here’s how to make the most of it

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24 and Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.