The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is heading south on Wednesday.

At the time of writing, the benchmark index is down 1.38% to 8,941.9 points, with losses spread across most sectors.

There are 159 ASX 200 shares trading lower, compared with just 34 risers and 7 unchanged.

If the market closes around these levels, it would be the ASX 200’s worst session since 28 May, when the index fell 1.43%.

So, what is weighing on the market today?

What’s behind today’s fall?

The weak start followed another poor session in the US.

The S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) fell 0.7%, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) dropped 1%, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJX: .DJI) lost 0.8%.

Oil prices and bond yields are both causing some headaches.

Brent crude surged 4.6% overnight to US$94.65 a barrel following another escalation in tensions between the US and Iran. It has since pushed above US$96 a barrel.

That is adding to inflation concerns at a time when investors are already pricing in a greater chance of further interest rate rises.

The US 10-year Treasury yield has climbed to around 4.79%. This is the highest level since October 2023, while Australian 10-year yields have moved back to levels last seen in 2011.

Mining shares are being hit hard

The resources sector is doing plenty of the damage, with copper and gold prices falling.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are down 2.93% to $64.88 after copper prices dropped overnight.

Gold miners are also having a difficult session, with Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) shares down 4.81% to $22.55 and Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) shares falling 4.29% to $14.28.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares have also tumbled by 4.20% to $5.25.

In addition, a number of companies are trading ex-dividend today, with those moves expected to shave around 31 points off the index.

A few shares heading the other way

Energy shares are one of the few areas holding up as oil prices rise

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares are up 2.02% to $33.36, and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) shares have gained 1.21% to $8.38.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) is another standout, rising 1.94% to $4.72.

GDP beats expectations

Investors also got a new read on the economy this morning.

Our GDP grew 0.4% in the June quarter and 2.1% over the year, ahead of expectations for growth of 0.3% and 1.8%.

Even though it wasn’t a huge beat, it’s another result that could keep the interest rate discussion alive.

The post Why is the ASX 200 having its worst day in 3 months? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 Telstra Group. 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.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares have slid slightly into the red in Wednesday lunchtime trade.

At the time of writing, the ASX biotech stock is down around 0.2% and is changing hands at $172 a piece.

Despite the softer share price today, CSL shares are still up a huge 38% over the past month alone, have rebounded 86% from a multi-year low in early-June, and are now roughly flat for the year-to-date.

What has driven CSL shares higher over the past month?

After a difficult 18 months, including several market and company headwinds, it looks like investor sentiment around CSL shares have finally turned a corner and the worst could finally be over. And it appears to be driven by several tailwinds.

It looks like investors finally realised that the CSL share sell-off was overdone, and the shares were selling too cheap compared to the underlying business. 

At the same time, it looks like ASX healthcare shares have come back into favor after a significant sell-off. CSL hasn’t moved in isolation, either. Australian healthcare stocks have staged a major recovery, with the healthcare index rising more than 20% in a month recently.

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) has jumped 17% higher over the past month as investors rotate back into the sector.

CSL shares were boosted even higher after it posted an impressive FY26 result in mid-August.

CSL reported total revenue of US$15.8 billion and NPAT of US$2.6 billion. It also recorded a net loss after tax of US$2.6 billion for FY26, coming from pre-tax impairments and restructuring costs. 

CSL management describes FY26 as a ‘reset year’, with FY27 marking a return to growth.

The result came in way ahead of guidance and investors rushed to snap up the shares.

Are the shares a buy for September?

I think there is a lot of potential for the company to grow over the next few years. CSL is operating in a high-growth market, and its blood plasma division dominates the market for rare blood disorders and immunoglobulin products.

The company’s growth initiatives are clearly working. But it’s likely it will take a while longer to see the financial benefits.

At the moment, forecasts suggest the experts are mostly on the fence. But after the latest price spike, many think we’ll see a downside ahead. 

Market Index data shows that brokers are split between a buy and a hold rating on CSL shares. The $153.21 average target price now implies a potential 11% downside, at the time of writing.

Sentiment is similar on TradingView. The majority (10 out of 18) have a hold rating on the stock. However, the other eight rate CSL shares as a buy/strong buy.

The average $168.13 target price is higher, but it still implies a potential downside of around 2%, at the time of writing.

I’d consider adding them to my portfolio in September, but I’d be wary of exactly how much upside, if any, it left after CSL shares rallied in August.

The post CSL shares rebound 86%: Is the ASX biotech stock a buy, sell or hold for September? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• The 5 best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in August revealed
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• CSL shares are up more than 40% in a month. What just happened in the US?
• 5 things reporting season taught ASX investors about FY27
• Where will CSL shares be in 12 months? Brokers weigh in

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies 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. 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed up 1.1% in the month just past, with Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares trailing those gains while Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares just edged out the benchmark index.

Closing on 31 August trading for $24.04 apiece, Coles shares slipped 0.2% over the month.

Woolworths shares went the other way, gaining 1.4% to close the month at $40.31 each.

Both of the ASX 200 supermarket giants reported their full year FY 2026 results in August.

Here’s what’s been happening.

Woolworths shares march higher in August

Woolworths shares were in focus on 26 August following the release of the company’s FY 2026 results.

The company achieved solid growth over the year, with sales of $71.54 billion up 3.6% from FY 2025. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) (before significant items) increased by 6.7% year on year to $6.09 billion.

And on the bottom line, Woolworths reported a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $1.60 billion, up 15.4% (before significant items).

Passive income investors were rewarded with a 15.6% increase in the final fully franked Woolworths dividend, which came out to 52 cents per share.

“Sales momentum together with strong productivity and cost discipline has delivered solid EBIT growth with an increased contribution from all trading segments,” Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell said.

Woolworths shares closed up 3.4% on the day of the results release.

Coles shares jump on results, slip over the month

Coles released its own FY 2026 results on 25 August.

Over the 12 months, Coles reported sales revenue of $45.58 billion, up a 2.8% year-on-year. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $2.32 billion were up 9.9% (excluding significant items).

On the bottom line, Coles NPAT came out to $1.26 billion (excluding significant items) up 13.7% from FY 2025.

Coles declare a 37-cent per share fully-franked final dividend, up 15% from the prior final dividend payout.

If you want to bank the final Coles dividend, there’s still time. But not much!

To grab that passive income, you’ll need to own shares at market close today. Coles shares trade ex-dividend on 3 September.

Coles shares closed up 4.9% on the day of the results release.

How have the ASX 200 supermarkets been tracking in 2026?

In morning trade today Coles shares are changing hands for $23.74 apiece, up 11.3% year to date.

Woolworths shares are trading for $39.36 each, up 33.7% in 2026.

The post Coles versus Woolworth shares: Which ASX supermarket giant outperformed in August? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to build an ASX portfolio you can stick with for 10 years
• Don’t panic if these 9 ASX 200 shares fall today
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• How much superannuation do I need to earn $90,000 per year in passive income?
• Up 12%: Is there still value in Coles shares?

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.