Healthcare shares are underperforming today, down 0.33%, while the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is 0.15% lower.

Healthcare led the 11 market sectors last week with a 4.84% rise compared to a 0.28% lift for the ASX 200.

The sector has been a poor performer over the past 12 months, down 39% overall amid many industry challenges.

These include US currency headwinds; three interest rate rises in Australia; cost of living pressures leading people to delay procedures; higher shipping costs; new limits on insurance payouts in some nations; higher wage costs; and regulatory uncertainty in the US.

However, things may be changing.

On 3 June, the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) touched a 9-year low of 21,947.2 points.

Since then, ASX 200 healthcare shares have lifted 12.8% while the broader ASX 200 has managed only a 0.37% gain.

This may signal that a sector rebound has begun.

Despite these green shoots, experts maintain sell ratings on several ASX 200 healthcare shares, as showcased on The Bull this week.

Let’s hear them out.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price is $114.30, down 1.6% today and down 52% over 12 months.

Niv Dagan from Peak Asset Management has a sell rating on the market’s largest ASX 200 healthcare share.

The expert commented: 

A sell rating is justified as this biotechnology giant has materially downgraded its fiscal year 2026 outlook while announcing about $5 billion of additional non-cash pre-tax impairments across fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Revenue expectations have been reduced due to US immunoglobulin channel normalisation and weaker albumin prices in China.

The CSL Vifor acquisition has under-performed. Also, government healthcare cost pressures and a higher interest rate environment present ongoing challenges for the biotechnology sector, further weighing on sentiment.

Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

The Cochlear share price is $117.55, down 0.5% today and down 60% over 12 months.

Dagan also has a sell rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share. 

He explained: 

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.

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.

Monash IVF Group Ltd (ASX: MVF)

The Monash IVF share price is steady on Monday at 71 cents.

This ASX 200 healthcare share has defied sector trends to rise 12.7% over 12 months.

But it’s been a bumpy road, as the chart below shows, and Christopher Watt from Bell Potter gives the stock a sell rating.

Watt said: 

The fertility services company recently downgraded fiscal year 2026 guidance. It now expects underlying net profit after tax to range between $17 million and $18 million.

Across the Australian market, stimulated cycle volumes were down 4.7 per cent on a rolling three month basis to the end of April when compared to the prior corresponding period.

Cost-of-living pressures and declining birth rates are structural headwinds for the whole industry.

New leadership has a genuine reset opportunity, but until there’s evidence of an industry-wide recovery, I remain cautious.

The post 3 ASX healthcare shares to sell despite signs of sector rebound appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Life360, Woodside, CSL shares
• Why CSL, Westpac, and this big-name ASX 200 share could be sells
• Here’s where I would invest $5,000 in ASX shares
• Buy, hold, sell: CSL, Steadfast, and Wesfarmers shares
• How to know when a beaten-down ASX share is worth buying

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

Atlas Arteria Ltd (ASX: ALX) has just announced a 50% boost to its full-year dividend payouts as it moves to fend off a takeover bid from Diamond Infraco.

Already generous dividend increased further

The toll roads operator previously had a dividend target of 40 cents per share, but on Monday morning, it said in a statement to the ASX that this target would be increased to 60 cents per share.

The company said:

The Independent Directors now intend to target paying distributions to ALX Securityholders of at least 60.0 cents per ALX Security in the 12 months following the end of the Offer Period made up of ordinary distributions of 40.0 cents per ALX Security and additional distributions of at least 20.0 cents per ALX Security. These distributions are expected to be funded by a combination of distributions from Atlas Arteria’s portfolio cash flows, proceeds from potential asset sales and, where appropriate, utilising corporate borrowing proceeds.

The offer period refers to Diamond Infraco’s $5.10 per share takeover offer, which Atlas Arteria’s directors are recommending shareholders reject.

Atlas Arteria said the increased dividends would likely have the effect of reducing dividends further out by 2 cents per share.

The company also said it was engaging in more discussions around asset sales.

The company said:

Atlas Arteria continues to progress initiatives to unlock value from its portfolio of world-class assets. In addition to progressing the potential divestment of the Chicago Skyway, Atlas Arteria has entered into exclusive discussions with Eiffage S.A., a leading French concession and construction group, in relation to the potential sale of Atlas Arteria’s 100% stake in the Warnow Tunnel in Germany. In the event a sale to Eiffage proceeds, Atlas Arteria expects that the sale price will be consistent with the Independent Expert’s range of €100m to €115m. Warnow Tunnel is the smallest asset in Atlas Arteria’s portfolio, and the possible divestment will not have a material impact on the future strategy of the group.

Diamond Infraco recently said its $5.10 per share offer for the company was its best and final offer.

Shares are worth more, company says

Atlas Arteria said in its statement on Monday that, “the Offer continues to materially undervalue Atlas Arteria and does not reflect an appropriate control premium for ALX Securityholders”.

An independent expert’s report has concluded that the offer is neither fair nor reasonable, and that an appropriate value for Atlas Arteria would be $5.39 to $6.20 per share.

Atlas Arteria shares were changing hands for $5.10 on Monday morning. At that price, the 60-cent per share dividend equates to a dividend yield of 11.8%.

The post How does an 11.8% dividend yield sound? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Diamond Infraco’s $5.10 offer for Atlas Arteria now unconditional
• Atlas Arteria urges shareholders to reject IFM’s $5.10 takeover bid
• Atlas Arteria: Takeover offer lifted to $5.10 per security
• Atlas Arteria takeover bid extended
• Atlas Arteria reiterates ‘reject’ on IFM bid, maintains 2026 distribution guidance

Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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 are down 0.2% to 8,815.3 points on Monday.

The market is jittery after Iran said it had re-closed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend after Israel bombed Lebanon.

US and Iran officials are in Switzerland for further discussions after both parties signed an interim peace deal last week.

Meanwhile on The Bull this week, two experts give us their views and ratings on three ASX 200 shares.

Let’s check them out. 

Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

The Life360 share price is $23.88, up 0.2% today and down 26% in the calendar year to date (YTD). 

Christopher Watt from Bell Potter Securities has a buy rating on this ASX 200 tech share. 

Watt explains: 

This information technology company provides a mobile networking safety app for families.

Active user growth is rebounding following a technical issue, while paying circle growth, which drives revenue, recently exceeded expectations.

Guidance was upgraded. Once focus returns to paying circles, I expect a re-rating to follow.

The upcoming August result is a catalyst.

The company has been enjoying strong price momentum, with the shares rising from $17.91 on May 20 to trade at $22.54 on June 18.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price is $29.18, up 0.5% today and up 23% YTD. 

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

Dagan said: 

Operationally, the energy giant continues to execute strongly. It achieved an 11 per cent increase in the average realised price of a barrel of oil equivalent in the first quarter of 2026 when compared to the fourth quarter of financial year 2025.

However, quarterly production fell by 8 per cent due to seasonal weather events. The Scarborough energy project was 96 per cent complete and remains on track for first LNG cargo in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Other major projects remain on budget and on schedule.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL shares are $113.09, down 2.8% today and down 34% YTD. 

Dagan has a sell rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share.

The analyst said CSL shares deserve a sell rating after the company downgraded its outlook for FY26.

He commented: 

A sell rating is justified as this biotechnology giant has materially downgraded its fiscal year 2026 outlook while announcing about $5 billion of additional non-cash pre-tax impairments across fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Revenue expectations have been reduced due to US immunoglobulin channel normalisation and weaker albumin prices in China.

The CSL Vifor acquisition has under-performed. Also, government healthcare cost pressures and a higher interest rate environment present ongoing challenges for the biotechnology sector, further weighing on sentiment.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Life360, Woodside, CSL shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 ASX healthcare shares to sell despite signs of sector rebound
• Why CSL, Westpac, and this big-name ASX 200 share could be sells
• Experts name 3 ASX 200 shares to buy
• Down but not out: 3 ASX tech shares ripe for a rebound
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday

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 CSL and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. 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.