The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price had its best day in recent memory on Tuesday.

The biotech giant’s shares ended the day 17% higher at $157.82 following the release of its FY 2026 results.

Is it too late to buy CSL shares? Let’s see what Bell Potter is saying.

What is the broker saying?

Bell Potter notes that CSL delivered a result in line with guidance for FY 2026. And while weak on paper, the broker was pleased to see the key CSL Behring business rebound in the second half. It said:

NPATA declined -2% to $3.14b (cc) and was in line with $3.1b guidance. Revenue declined -1% to $15.37b (cc) and was above the $15.2b guidance. FX lifted reported revenue to $15.8b (above VA cons and BPe of $15.4b) but dragged down reported NPATA to $3.10b (in line with VA cons and BPe of $3.1b). 

The biggest highlight was in Behring, particularly the rebound in 2H26 Ig sales (+7% at cc or +11% reported) and to a lesser degree albumin declining less than feared (-5% at cc or -1% reported). The excess Ig supply imbalance that was prevalent earlier in CY26 now appears to have largely returned to normalcy based on comments from CSL and its main rivals Takeda and Grifols. Behring gross margin however continued to face pressures, with 2H gross margin of 48.2% the lowest half-yearly result since at least FY17.

The broker also highlights that CSL’s FY 2027 guidance was above expectations. It adds:

FY27 guidance for underlying NPAT +5% (cc) is above the +1% growth consensus had been expecting based on the old metric of NAPTA, hence the downgrade cycle has likely eased for the first time in several results despite the expected drag from Vifor in FY27. Investors will have also been buoyed by FY27 guidance for Behring growth at mid-single digits and an expectation of a turnaround in the Behring GM by ~70bps. We have revised our forecasts following the result and guidance, resulting in upgrades of 8%/6%/6% at the NPATA line across FY27/28/29.

Is the CSL share price in the buy zone?

Despite the positives, Bell Potter is sitting on the fence when it comes to the CSL share price.

According to the note, the broker has retained its hold rating with an improved price target of $150.00 (from $120.00).

Commenting on its recommendation, Bell Potter believes that CSL’s shares are fully valued at current levels. It said:

Based on the new underlying NPAT metric, CSL trades on a PE multiple of ~19x FY26 and ~18x FY27 earnings, with flat revenue growth and low-to-mid single digit earnings growth expected for FY27. While the result today suggests the worst (by way of earnings declines) is in the rear-view for CSL, we find it difficult to justify a greater premium than is now being attributed relative to global biopharma peers.

The post Is the CSL share price in the buy zone after the biotech giant’s results? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL. 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.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares have had a tough two week run.

In late afternoon trade on Tuesday, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) bank stock were down 1.3%, changing hands for $162.84 apiece.

That marks the eighth consecutive day of losses for Australia’s biggest bank stock. And it sees CBA shares down 9.5% since market close on 6 August, the last day the stock closed in the green.

That’s certainly unwelcome news for longer-term shareholders.

But if you bought shares in the ASX 200 bank yesterday, and held them at market close, then you’ll be getting the all-time high dividend payout management declared when CommBank released its full year FY 2026 results last Wednesday, 12 August.

CBA stock trades ex-dividend today. And at recent share price levels you’ll be getting a significantly higher yield than if you’d bought the stock two weeks ago.

Among the more impressive figures from CBA’s FY 2026 results, the big four bank reported a 6.2% year-on-year increase in operating income to $30.2 billion.

And with profits up as well, management declared a fully franked dividend of $2.70 per share. That represents a 3.9% increase from last year and marks a record passive income payout from the company.

At the recent share price of $162.84, the final dividend alone offers a yield of 1.7%. Eligible stockholders can expect to receive that payout on 29 September.

Of course, that rising dividend means little if CBA’s share price continues to decline in the first half of FY 2027.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

CBA shares: Buy, hold or sell?

Dolphin Partners Financial Services’ Arthur Garipoli recently analysed the outlook for Australia’s biggest bank stock (courtesy of The Bull).

“Cash net profit after tax of $10.982 billion in full year 2026 was up 7% on the prior corresponding period. The net interest margin of 2.05% was down 3 basis points,” he noted of the bank’s full year results.

As for his sell recommendation on CBA shares, Garipoli said:

The bank acknowledged growth is slowing in response to higher interest rates and inflation placing uneven pressure on household incomes and economic activity.

Home loan applications since the federal budget in May fell 15%.

And despite the recent share price decline, Garipoli still has concerns over CBA’s valuation.

He concluded:

CBA is a high-quality bank, but an uncertain Australian economy leaves a challenging outlook at this point. We believe the bank is trading on a stretched valuation, so it may be prudent to lock in some profits.

CBA stock trades on a price to earnings (P/E) ratio of around 26 times, the highest among the big four ASX 200 bank stocks.

The post With $30 billion in FY26 income, should I buy CBA shares today? 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.

Luckily for income investors, the Australian share market is stacked with ASX dividend shares.

To narrow things down, let’s look at three top dividend shares that could be worth considering this month:

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

Flight Centre could be an ASX dividend share to buy now.

The travel agency company has been through an extremely difficult period, but its earnings base is now rebuilding as travel demand normalises and the business becomes more efficient.

Flight Centre has exposure to both leisure and corporate travel, giving it more than one way to benefit if consumers and companies continue spending on trips, events, conferences, and overseas experiences.

The company is also no longer just a pure recovery story. If management can keep costs under control and improve margins, there may be scope for stronger profits and larger dividends over time.

Speaking of which, according to a recent note out of Morgans, its analysts expect a fully franked 48 cents per share dividend in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $12.75, this would mean a dividend yield of 3.8%.

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN)

HomeCo Daily Needs REIT could be another ASX dividend share to buy.

The property company owns a portfolio of neighbourhood and large-format retail assets that are focused on everyday spending.

Its tenants include supermarkets, healthcare providers, pharmacies, pet stores, childcare operators, and other businesses linked to daily needs.

That gives the REIT a relatively defensive flavour. After all, people may delay big-ticket purchases when conditions are tough, but groceries, medicines, healthcare, and essential services remain part of normal household spending.

For FY 2027, Ord Minnett expects a dividend of 8 cents per share. This represents a 6.9% dividend yield at current prices.

Rural Funds Group (ASX: RFF)

Rural Funds could be a third ASX dividend share to buy now.

It owns a portfolio of agricultural assets, including farmland, cattle properties, vineyards, orchards, and water entitlements.

Rather than operating all these assets itself, Rural Funds generally leases them to agricultural businesses under long-term agreements.

That gives investors exposure to agriculture without taking on all the direct operating risk of farming.

Agriculture can be cyclical, and asset values can move around. But demand for food does not disappear, and high-quality agricultural land can be valuable over the long term.

Bell Potter expects this to underpin an 11.7 cents per share dividend in FY 2027. Based on its current share price of $2.18, this would mean a dividend yield of 5.4%.

The post 3 top ASX dividend shares to buy now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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 positions in and has recommended Rural Funds Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group and HomeCo Daily Needs REIT. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.