S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.4% to 8,772.2 points on Thursday.

Among the 11 market sectors, healthcare is in the lead today, up 2.7%, amid signs of a meaningful sector rebound. 

The energy sector is the drag on Thursday, down 2.5%, as the supply outlook improves in the Middle East.

Trading Economics analysts reported that growing confidence in a lasting peace deal had prompted more tankers to transit the Strait of Hormuz with their tracking signals on.

Supply has also increased across key segments of the market, with buyers facing a surge of crude offers from the Middle East and other exporting regions, including West Africa.

In addition, a temporary US waiver permitting purchases of already-loaded Iranian oil is expected to further boost available supply.

Meanwhile, three experts let us in on their opinions of three ASX shares.

Let’s check them out.

Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM)

The Capricorn Metals share price is $11.98, down 5.5% today and down 17% in the calendar year to date (YTD). 

David Coates from Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX gold share. 

Coates said: 

CMM is a sector leading gold producer, unhedged and debt free. It is fully funded to grow production from ~120kozpa to ~300kozpa from two gold mines in WA, each with +10 year mine lives.

CMM is run by a management team that has an excellent track record of delivery.

Our NPV-based valuation is up marginally to $16.25/sh.

Chrysos Corporation Ltd (ASX: C79)

The Chrysos Corporation share price is $5.65, down 3.4% today and down 23% YTD. 

Toby Grimm from Baker Young has a hold recommendation on this ASX industrials share. 

On The Bull this week, Grimm said: 

The company combines science and software to create technology solutions for the global mining industry. The company’s flagship product is PhotonAssay.

A pull back in gold prices, if protracted, presents a potential headwind. However, we’re encouraged by expansion into South America, where we see a large copper analysis opportunity as C79 continues to branch out from gold.

The company’s decision to upsize its debt facility to $200 million reflects management’s confidence in the near term growth runway.

In our view, the stock offers significant recovery potential given it was recently trading at a substantial discount to its February highs.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price is $115.31, up 1.6% today and down 56% YTD.

Niv Dagan from Peak Asset Management has a sell rating on this ASX healthcare share.

He explained: 

Hospital capacity constraints amid softer consumer sentiment and reduced referral activity are weighing on implant volumes, while cost base restructuring is likely to impact earnings in the near term.

In April, the hearing implants maker materially reduced its fiscal year 2026 underlying net profit guidance to between $290 million and $330 million from between $435 million from $460 million in February.

The downgrade was a response to weaker than expected demand in developed markets amid Middle East uncertainty, lower margins and foreign exchange headwinds.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Capricorn Metals, Chrysos, Cochlear shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 Chrysos and Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Chrysos. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. 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 are down 0.4% to 8,777.5 points on Thursday.

This week, brokers downgraded four ASX shares and recalculated their 12-month price targets on them.

Let’s check them out.

Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN)

The Jumbo Interactive share price is $6.31, down 14.3% today.

Over the past six months, this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share has fallen 44%.

Morgan Stanley downgraded Jumbo Interactive shares to a hold rating yesterday.

The broker slashed its 12-month price target from $14.50 to $8.40.

This still implies a big potential upside of more than 30% ahead.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT)

The Beach Energy share price is 82 cents, down 5.2% today.

In the calendar year to date (YTD), this ASX energy share has fallen 30%.

Oil prices have retreated to pre-war levels after the US and Iran signed an interim peace deal.

Morgans downgraded Beach Energy shares to a sell rating this week.

The broker said:

After downgrading our Q4 estimates for daily production rates, we see potential for BPT to fall just short of its FY27 group production guidance.

While BPT’s share price has already been under pressure, its earnings outlook has declined at a faster rate, with its forward EV/EBITDA actually rising.

The broker cut its 12-month price target from $1.10 to 81 cents.

This suggests the stock is already fully priced.

Amcor CDI (ASX: AMC)

The Amcor share price is $60.94, up 4% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 materials share has ripped 11% higher.

Morgans downgraded Amcor shares from a buy to an accumulate rating this week.

The broker explained:

Following its merger with Berry Global in April 2025, AMC identified a non-core portfolio of ~US$2.5bn in revenue.

These lower-growth or lower-margin businesses where AMC lacks scale or leadership positions are expected to be divested over time via cash sales or joint ventures/partnerships.

While there is a range of scenarios that can play out, using conservative assumptions, we estimate the combined non-core portfolio could be worth ~US$1.8bn.

To date, AMC has reached agreements to sell six businesses for a combined value of ~US$500m.

AMC plans to use proceeds from non-core asset sales to reduce leverage, which stood at 3.8x at the end of 3Q26.

While management expects leverage to end FY26 at 3.4-3.5x, the stretched balance sheet remains a key investor concern.

Morgans kept its 12-month price target of $65.40, indicating 7% potential upside ahead.

Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI)

The Centuria Capital share price is $2.04, up 1.8% today and down 0.3% over six months.

Centuria Capital Group is a funds manager that specialises in property investment and investment bonds.

MA Financial Group downgraded the ASX real estate share to a hold recommendation on Tuesday.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $2.18.

This suggests a potential 7% upside ahead.

The post Downgrade alert! 4 ASX shares re-rated by experts this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Yesterday, mortgage holders and ASX share investors received a mixed message on Australia’s inflation rate.

On the positive side of the scale, the ABS reported that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 4.0% in the 12 months to May. That’s down from the 4.2% increase in the inflation rate for the 12 months to April.

On the negative side of that scale, the ABS revealed that trimmed mean inflation, which takes out certain volatile items (like fuel), increased to 3.6%. That’s up from 3.4% in the 12 months to April and well above the RBA’s 2% to 3% target range.

That’s important for ASX share investors and mortgage holders hoping for interest rate relief, as the trimmed mean number is the RBA’s preferred gauge.

As you’re likely aware, Aussies have already had to contend with three interest rate increases from the central bank in 2026. While the RBA kept rates on hold at 4.35% at its last meeting on 16 June, this still sees the official interest rate back at their 2024 peak, and matching the highest level since 2011.

So, what can we expect from interest rates now?

What the experts are saying on the inflation rate and the RBA

Commenting on the latest inflation rate numbers, Ebury economist Anthony Malouf said, “May CPI data was weaker than expected at the headline level… However, the headline figure is heavily distorted by the ongoing unwind of automotive fuel prices, which have fallen over the past two months.”

As for what this might mean for Australia’s interest rates, Malouf said:

More concerning for the RBA, trimmed mean inflation surprised to the upside, rising 0.4% MoM with the annual rate lifting to 3.6% from 3.4% in April, suggesting underlying inflation continues to firm…

We maintain our view that the cash rate remains on hold at 4.35% through 2026 and into 2027.

CreditorWatch chief economist Ivan Colhoun has a more hawkish view on what we might expect from the RBA’s rate-setting path.

According to Colhoun:

There was some good news in today’s CPI release with the first reports of some price falls as fuel surcharges were reduced…

However, that still leaves Australia with a labour market inflation problem, with the recent 4.75% national wage case decision likely to sustain price rises at rates nowhere near consistent with the RBA’s 2.5% aims. That suggests the Bank isn’t finished tightening as yet.

Connecting the dots, Colhoun advised mortgage holders and ASX investors to brace for another rate hike towards the end of the year.

He concluded:

My base case remains of a continuing slow, elongated tightening cycle in Australia, underpinned by the global AI, defence and renewables investment boom, with mining also benefiting. Further tightening remains a significant risk. My expectation is the RBA will continue to observe inflation and the economy for a while longer and next tighten in November.

And we’ll leave off with BNY APAC macro strategist, Wee Khoon Chong, who said the latest inflation rate data leaves the door open for another RBA rate hike in 2026.

Chong noted (quoted by the Australian Financial Review):

Markets appear too complacent in assuming the current tightening cycle has peaked. The data is unlikely to shift the RBA from its current wait-and-see stance in the near term.

However, the firmer core inflation reading reinforces our view that further policy tightening remains possible before year end.

Stay tuned!

The post Buying ASX shares or paying off a mortgage? Here’s what the inflation rate means for RBA interest rate hikes 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.