The team at Morgans has been busy running the rule over the popular ASX shares in this article.

Let’s find out if the three have been given buy ratings or something else this week. Here’s what you need to know:

Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF)

Morgans is feeling positive about this KFC-focused quick service restaurant operator.

In response to a positive trading update, the broker has retained its buy rating and $10.60 price target on Collins Foods shares. It said:

CKF’s AGM trading update was positive. Group sales rose 6.6% over the first 17 weeks of FY27, with Australia resilient and European SSS (same-store-sales) inflecting from the weak start over the last 4 weeks, which we view positively in a tough consumer environment. 

Trading strengthened through the last 4 weeks, with KFC SSS of +3.1% in AU, +3.1% in the Netherlands, driven by the new Halal-certified range, and -0.1% in Germany, a material improvement on the -7.8% (Netherlands) and -7.2% (Germany) start over the first 8 weeks. We retain our BUY rating and A$10.60 target price; Australia is resilient and Europe is re-accelerating.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

The broker highlights that this industrial property giant delivered a result in line with expectations last month.

And while its result wasn’t quite enough to justify a buy recommendation, the broker has retained its accumulate rating (between buy and hold) on Goodman shares with a $33.20 price target. It explains:

GMG’s FY26 result (reported 20-August) was solid and in line at the headline, with OEPS of 129.9cps (+10.1% on pcp) matching both MorgansF and consensus. In terms of composition, development earnings (+34% on pcp) carried the result, offsetting softer Management and Property investment earnings. The market remains focused on the pending data centre pipeline, with WIP having increased 53% to $19.7bn (78% data centres) at an 8.2% yield on cost. 

Leasing is progressing alongside construction, but with only a single 50MW Tokyo lease signed, investors are looking for further hyperscale conversions. We remain positive on the medium-term earnings trajectory, underpinned by a funded development book, low gearing (6.5%, 19.5% look-through) and scarce metro land and power. We retain our ACCUMULATE rating with a $33.20/sh TP.

Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR)

This lithium miner reported operating earnings that were softer than consensus estimates but in line with Morgans’ expectations.

And with its outlook in FY 2027 unchanged, the broker has retained its accumulate rating on Liontown shares with a $1.40 price target. It said:

FY26 underlying EBITDA missed consensus estimates but was in line with MorgansF, while underlying NPAT beat expectations as the company swung to a net profit from a loss in FY25. FY27 outlook was unchanged with guidance already provided at the 4Q26 result and today’s release contained no material updates on the Kathleen Valley expansion timeline or ramp-up. FID for the expansion is expected by the end of 1Q27. Maintain ACCUMULATE with a A$1.40ps target price.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Liontown, Collins Foods, and Goodman shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Collins Foods and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Collins Foods and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) shares have enjoyed a strong year of outperformance in 2026.

As have the company’s shareholders.

On Wednesday afternoon, shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) diversified financial stock were changing hands for $248.46 apiece.

That sees Macquarie stock up 22.0% year to date, smashing the 2.7% returns delivered by the benchmark index over this same period.

And we shouldn’t leave out the partly franked $4.20 per share dividend Macquarie paid out on 2 July. If we add that back in, then the accumulated value of Macquarie shares is up 24.0% this calendar year.

Which brings us back to our headline question.

After such a strong run, is it too late to buy the ASX 200 financial stock today?

Macquarie shares: Buy, hold or sell?

Morgans’ Damien Nguyen recently analysed the outlook for the surging stock (courtesy of The Bull).

“Macquarie benefits from a diversified global business spanning asset management, infrastructure, commodities and investment markets,” Nguyen said.

“Earnings momentum has improved as transaction activity and market conditions have stabilised, while long term growth opportunities remain attractive,” he added.

But following the strong gains this year, Nguyen issued a hold recommendation on Macquarie shares.

He concluded:

However, a stronger share price and a cyclical earnings profile suggest much of the recovery is already reflected in its valuation. We view the stock as fairly valued and maintain a hold recommendation. The shares have risen from $196.47 on March 3 to trade at $251.01 on August 27.

What’s been happening with the ASX 200 financial stock?

Macquarie shares were in focus when the ASX 200 stock reported its FY 2026 results on 8 May.

With the company achieving year on year growth across all of its operating groups, Macquarie reported a 30% increase in net profit after tax (NPAT) to $4.85 billion.

Commenting on the strong results on the day, Macquarie CEO Shemara Wikramanayake said:

Each of our businesses used its specialist expertise in navigating the current environment, identifying opportunities that support long-term growth and delivering positive outcomes for our clients and communities.

On 23 July, Macquarie again made financial news headlines when the company announced that Wikramanayake will step down as CEO in November. Wikramanayake has held the top post for eight years.

Greg Ward – currently Macquarie’s head of banking and financial services – will take over the reins following Wikramanayake’s retirement.

Macquarie shares set a new record closing high of $267.25 apiece on 6 August.

The post Up 24%! Are Macquarie shares still a good buy 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 positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

On Wednesday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a disappointing session and dropped deep into the red. The benchmark index fell 0.95% to 8,978.4 points.

Will the market be able to bounce back from this on Thursday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rise

It looks set to be a better session for Australian investors on Thursday following a positive night on Wall Street. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 39 points or 0.45% higher this morning. In the United States, the Dow Jones rose 0.55%, the S&P 500 was up 0.45%, and the Nasdaq pushed 0.45% higher.

ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend

A number of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. This includes packaging leader Amcor PLC (ASX: AMC), mining behemoth BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), supermarket giant Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), private hospital operator Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC), and energy giant Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS). BHP is paying shareholders a 139.2 cents per share fully franked dividend on 23 September.

Oil prices rise again

ASX 200 energy shares Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) could have a positive session after oil prices rose again overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 0.45% to US$90.63 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 0.6% to US$95.22 a barrel. Traders were buying oil in response to an escalation in Middle East tensions.

Buy Nufarm shares

Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF) shares are in the buy zone according to Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its buy rating on the agricultural chemicals company’s shares with an improved price target of $3.75. It said: “Our Buy rating is unchanged. Trading trends continue to infer FY26e is a year where improved gross margin (on lower COGS) and cost out are the main driver of profit growth. The is the potential for surprise is omega-3, where Peruvian fishoil stock is in short supply and pricing indicators are reaching levels consistent with previous peaks.”

Gold price charges higher

It could be a good day for ASX 200 gold shares Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) on Thursday after the gold price charged higher overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is up 0.9% to US$4,435.8 an ounce. Traders were buying the precious metal after the US dollar and treasury yields pulled back.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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 Amcor Plc. 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.