Well, that was fast!

Last week, investors were assured by United States President Donald Trump that the Strait of Hormuz would fully reopen for oil shipments and other cargo vessels on Friday. But over the weekend, Iran claimed that the vital shipping route was once again closed for business.

The original reopening of the Strait of Hormuz – which was responsible for some 25% of global oil and gas shipments prior to the Middle East war – came following a tentative peace deal between the US and Iran.

But that deal looks to be fraying amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran’s Hezbollah allies in Lebanon.

In response to Israeli strikes in Lebanon, Iran’s leaders said the US is in breach of its agreement to not only halt attacks on its own territory but also to stop the fighting in Lebanon.

Trump took a decidedly different approach. The US president wrote on social media:

Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble. If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!

Despite Iran’s claims, oil tankers were still reported to be moving through the contested shipping route over the weekend.

Negotiations, spearheaded by US Vice President JD Vance, remain ongoing, with the latest reports indicating the strait may remain open.

Or not…

What does the Strait of Hormuz closure mean for ASX shares?

So far, ASX investors appear to be taking the news in stride.

At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has climbed out of the red to be up 0.2%.

Technology stocks are having a tougher run of it, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) down 1% at this same time.

That’s likely because a breakdown of the peace deal and a renewed closure of the Strait of Hormuz will drive oil prices higher again. This, in turn, will stoke inflation and pressure central banks to raise interest rates.

ASX tech stocks are often more sensitive to interest rate moves, as they tend to be priced with future earnings in mind. And as rates go up, so too does the price of investing in those future earnings.

Gold shares also often take a hit amid concerns over rising inflation and rates. But most of the ASX gold stocks are bucking that historic trend today, with the S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) up 2% on Monday. This follows a 1.3% increase in the gold price to US$4,211 per ounce.

And while the Brent crude oil price is up 0.7% to US$81.10 per barrel (according to data from Bloomberg), the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) is down 0.9% today as traders hedge their bets on the outcome of the ongoing negotiations.

The ASX 200 Energy Index remains up 14.4% year to date.

What should I do if I’m buying ASX shares?

If you’re a day trader, issues like the closure and potential reopening of the Strait of Hormuz present some great opportunities to make, or lose, a lot of money.

If you’re buying ASX shares for the long term, the best thing to do is to try to avoid changing your investment plans based on the daily and weekly news cycles.

Long-term investors would do well to continue to focus on buying quality companies at a good price. Also, to look for strong management teams, solid growth prospects, and sizeable moats in place to keep would-be competitors at bay.

The post The Strait of Hormuz is closed again! What does that mean if you’re buying ASX shares? 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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares started the day in the red on Monday but are rising in mid-morning trading.

ASX 200 shares are currently up 0.1% to 8,840.3 points.

Among the 11 market sectors, the consumer discretionary sector is in the lead today, up 0.6%.

The tech sector is the laggard, down 0.7%.

Meanwhile, on The Bull this week, three experts give us their opinions and recommendations on three ASX 200 shares.

Let’s take a look.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH)

The JB Hi-Fi share price is $78.94, up 1.3% today and down 18% in the calendar year to date (YTD). 

Toby Grimm from Baker Young has a buy rating on this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share.

Grimm said: 

The share price of this consumer electronics giant has significantly fallen since August 2025 in response to cost of living and supply chain cost pressures and increasing interest rates.

Despite these issues, JBH is expected to deliver positive sales and underlying earnings growth during the next two years.

The outlook for consumer electronics remains structurally sound. Diminishing rate hike expectations is another positive.

The stock is trading on more appealing multiples compared to 2025 and was recently offering an attractive dividend yield above 5 per cent.

Following three interest rate rises already this year, some experts expect the Reserve Bank’s next move will be a cut due to low GDP growth, recent softer inflation data, and consumer sentiment falling to one of its weakest levels in 50 years.

Given the market looks 6 to 12 months ahead, it seems that value investors may be looking for opportunities in ASX 200 retail shares today.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

Santos shares are $7.31 apiece, up 0.1% today and up 19% YTD. 

Niv Dagan from Peak Asset Management has a hold rating on this ASX 200 energy share. 

Dagan said much of the near-term upside for Santos shares depends on successful execution of major projects.

Barossa is online and ramping up, while the Pikka phase 1 in Alaska has started production, with both expected to materially increase free cash flow at plateau rates.

Management is also targeting at least 60 per cent of free cash flow for shareholder returns and a $2.5 billion reduction in net debt by 2030.

However, the investment case still relies on commodity prices, capital discipline and the delivery of a large multi-year development pipeline across Australia, Papua New Guinea and Alaska.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

The Westpac share price is $35.03, up 0.1% today and down 10% YTD.

Christopher Watt from Bell Potter Securities has a sell rating on this ASX 200 bank share.

Watt explained: 

The business is improving on the metrics that matter, but the operating backdrop is weakening.

Mortgage applications since the Federal Budget in May are below the prior two quarters, pointing to a slowdown in housing credit growth into next year.

Proposed tax changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing have soured sentiment, and there’s no fresh financial guidance to lean on.

With Westpac’s stock trading near the top of its range amid a possible earnings downgrade, I see more downside than upside from here.

The Federal Government has proposed that the 50% capital gains tax (CGT) discount for assets held longer than 12 months be replaced by a cost base inflation indexation method from 1 July 2027. Additionally, a minimum 30% CGT rate will apply.

To incentivise new housing, investors in new residential properties will be able to choose between the two CGT methods when they sell.

Also, from 1 July 2027, investors will not be able to negatively gear established properties purchased for investment, but will be able to do so with new homes.

The post Buy, hold, sell: JB Hi-Fi, Westpac, Santos 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 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.

This S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) food stock came under heavy selling pressure on Monday. Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING) opened almost 13% lower after the poultry producer responded to Australia’s first mainland detection of the H5N1 bird flu strain.

During the first hour of trade, it managed to claw back some losses. At $1.98 per share just before midday, Inghams shares were down 5.6%, while the ASX 300 edged 0.1% higher.

Why are Inghams shares sinking?

Investors appear worried about what bird flu could mean for Australia’s poultry industry and the ASX 300 food stock in particular.

Before the market opened, Inghams announced it had moved to a state of high biosecurity vigilance following the detection of H5N1 avian influenza in wild birds in Western Australia.

Importantly, the virus has not been detected in poultry and Inghams has not reported any infections within its operations.

That wasn’t enough to calm investors.

Bird flu outbreaks have caused significant disruption to poultry industries overseas. They can lead to flock culls, production interruptions, higher costs, and supply chain disruptions. With those risks now on investors’ minds, many headed for the exits.

What is Inghams doing?

Inghams has moved quickly to strengthen protections across its operations.

The company is implementing enhanced biosecurity measures and working closely with government authorities and industry groups.

Its focus is on reducing the risk of infection entering its farming network and protecting its poultry assets.

For now, the response is precautionary. But investors appear concerned about what could happen if the virus spreads beyond wild bird populations.

A stock already under pressure

Monday’s sell-off comes on top of an already difficult year for shareholders.

Inghams shares have lost around 20% of their value in 2026.

The company has faced pressure from weaker earnings growth, operational challenges, and concerns over margins. Earlier this year, management cut guidance after reporting softer-than-expected profitability, disappointing investors and weighing on sentiment.

As a result, the stock entered Monday’s session with little room for further bad news.

What’s next?

The next phase will depend on whether the virus remains confined to wild birds.

At present, there is no evidence that commercial poultry operations have been affected. That’s an important distinction.

However, markets tend to look ahead rather than focus on current conditions. Investors are now assessing the potential risks to production, costs, and earnings should the situation escalate.

For Inghams, the latest update doesn’t change operations today. But it has introduced a fresh uncertainty at a time when investors were already questioning the company’s growth outlook.

That helps explain why the ASX 300 food stock suffered such a sharp reaction on Monday.

The post Guess which ASX 300 food stock is falling on bird flu fears? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.