The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has fallen further into the red on Wednesday. At the time of writing, the index is down around 1%, with declines across the majority of shares.

Inflation concerns, fears about more interest rate increases, and rising oil prices are spooking investors this week.

New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC), Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ), and Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) are just some of the many companies under pressure today.

Let’s take a look at how their shares are tracking and what brokers tip next.

Hold New Hope shares

New Hope shares have fallen around 1.5% and are trading at $6.02 per share at the time of writing. After a rocky start to 2026, the thermal-coal miner’s shares are now up around 49% for the year to date.

New Hope’s operational picture has strengthened over the past couple of quarters, and its latest quarterly update in mid-August shows an increase in saleable coal production, higher coal sales, and an improved underlying EBITDA. 

The company also expects its Bengalla mine to return to its targeted production rate, and a ramp-up of production at its New Acland mine.

Brokers are mostly optimistic about the outlook for New Hope. But after the latest price rally, some are concerned that the shares are now fully priced. Market Index data shows the majority have a hold rating on the ASX shares. The $5.67 target price implies around a 6% downside, at the time of writing.

Hold BOQ shares

BOQ shares were caught up in an ASX bank stock sell-off throughout August. Investors have become spooked about how banks will cope with falling mortgage demand, a weaker housing market, higher inflation, and renewed concerns about interest rate hikes.

The intermediate bank’s shares have had a volatile run this year. They’ve fluctuated anywhere between a high of $7.43 and a low of $5.91. 

At the time of writing, BOQ shares are down slightly, around 0.1%, and trading at $6.56 a piece. The shares are now around 1% lower year to date.

In early August, BOQ announced a $295 million capital return to shareholders and a fully-franked special dividend of 15 cents per share.

The bank also reported a $47 million pre-tax ($33 million post-tax) impairment charge. This was related to technology and other asset reviews and will be recognised as a notable item in its FY26 results. BOQ is expected to post its full-year FY26 results in mid-October.

Investors weren’t thrilled with the update, and its shares tumbled around 6% shortly following the results announcement.

And it looks like the shares are still trading above fair value. According to Market Index, the majority of brokers have a hold rating on the shares. But the $6.06 average target price still implies a potential downside of around 8%, at the time of writing.

Buy Santos shares

Santos shares have trended higher so far in 2026, as recurring tensions between the US and Iran continue to fuel concerns over global oil supplies and support energy prices. 

Then, in mid-August, the shares spiked to a four-year high of $8.45 per share after the company posted its FY26 results.

Santos reported a 2% year-on-year increase in sales revenue to US$2.62 billion. Production volumes were also higher, up 1.7% to 48 million barrels of oil equivalent (mboe).

But the oil and gas giant also posted a 19% decline in its half-year statutory net profit after tax (NPAT), which fell to US$355 million. 

At the time of writing, Santos shares are down around 0.3% and changing hands at $8.26 per share. The share may have softened slightly today, but over the past month, Santos shares are up around 8%, and they’re 34% higher year to date.

And going forward it looks like they could climb even higher. Market Index shows that all brokers have a strong buy rating on the shares. And the $8.57 average target price implies a potential 4% upside, at the time of writing.

The post Buy, hold, sell: New Hope, BOQ, Santos shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the ASX 200 having its worst day in 3 months?
• Santos versus Woodside shares: Which ASX energy stock outperformed in August?
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• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
• Term deposits are paying more than ever. Are ASX dividend shares still worth it?

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 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.

Aussies hoping that interest rates had peaked have received some unwelcome news this morning.

The latest economic growth figures came in stronger than expected, increasing the pressure on the RBA ahead of its September meeting.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that GDP rose 0.4% in the June quarter and 2.1% over the year.

Economists had expected quarterly growth of 0.3% and annual growth of 1.8%, while the RBA had forecast annual growth of 1.9%.

According to The Australian, there’s a 60% chance of a 25-basis-point rate hike this month. That’s up from 52% before the GDP figures were released today.

So, could borrowers be facing another rate hike this month?

Let’s dive right in.

GDP comes in ahead of forecasts

While the economy is growing at a steady pace, today’s numbers were above the RBA’s forecasts.

Household consumption increased 0.4% during the quarter and contributed 0.2 points to GDP growth. Discretionary spending rose 1.4%, although the ABS said almost half of that increase came from vehicle purchases.

Private investment was flat, while GDP per capita was unchanged during the quarter and rose 0.7% over the year.

Productivity was also weak, with GDP per hour worked flat in the June quarter and down 0.2% over the year.

And that gives the RBA another reason to keep a rate hike on the table, particularly with trimmed mean inflation still running at 3.6%.

Rate hike bets are climbing

The RBA left the cash rate unchanged at 4.35% in August after raising rates 3 times earlier in 2026.

At the time, it said inflation remained too high and warned there was still a risk it could stay elevated for longer.

It seems that the GDP result has given markets another reason to think the August pause may not last long.

Capital Economics head of APAC, Marcel Thieliant, told The Australian that “the bank will probably hike rates again before long, perhaps as soon as this month”.

The bond market also reacted, with Australia’s 3-year government bond yield rising to around 4.82% as traders increased their bets on another rate hike.

What happens next?

The next RBA decision is due on 29 September, which means there is still more data to come before the board meets again.

By then, the RBA should have a read on whether inflation and demand are easing enough to keep rates unchanged.

Nonetheless, all eyes will now be on what the RBA does at the end of the month.

The post Could the RBA really hike interest rates again this month? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: New Hope, BOQ, Santos shares
• Here’s how Fortescue, Rio Tinto and BHP shares stacked up in August
• Down 12% in a month: Is the rally finally over for CBA shares?
• Buying Qantas shares? Here’s what happened with the ASX 200 airline in August
• Why is the ASX 200 having its worst day in 3 months?

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 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.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares put in mixed performances in August.

Two of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining giants charged ahead of the 1.1% gains posted by the benchmark index in August, while one finished in the red.

Looking at the miners’ top two revenue earners, the iron ore price dipped around 2% in August to close the month at US$96 per tonne. But the copper price increased by 3.7% to end the month at US$14,294 per tonne, according to data from Bloomberg.

August also saw all two of the miners release their full-year results.

Here’s what’s been happening.

BHP shares lead the charge

The best performing of the big three ASX 200 mining stocks in the month just past is also the biggest of them all.

BHP shares closed on 31 August trading for $66.23 each, up 9.8% for the month.

BHP released its full year FY 2026 results on 18 August.

Highlights from the 12 months included 15% year-on-year increase in revenue to US$58.8 billion. Underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) leapt 27% to US$32.9 billion.

On the bottom line, the miner reported a 30% increase in underlying profit to US$13.2 billion.

That saw management boost the final FY 2026 dividend to $1.392 per share, up 51.5% from last year’s final dividend payout.

If you want to bank the boosted BHP dividend, you’ll need to own shares at market close today. The ASX 200 miner trades ex-dividend on Thursday. You can then expect to see that passive income hit your bank account on 23 September.

BHP shares closed up 2.7% on the day of the results release.

Rio Tinto shares trade ex-dividend

Like BHP shares, Rio Tinto shares outperformed in August, closing the month at $174.81 apiece, up 2.5%.

We should also note that Rio Tinto stock traded ex-dividend on 13 August. Investors who held the ASX 200 mining stock on 12 August will receive the $3.029 fully franked interim dividend on 24 September. If we add that back into the 31 August closing price, then the cumulative value of Rio Tinto shares gained 4.3% over the month.

Rio Tinto reported its half year results on 29 July. There was no fresh price sensitive news out from the company in August.

Fortescue shares take a tumble

Unlike Rio Tinto and BHP shares, Fortescue shares lost ground in August, closing the month trading for $17.70 apiece, down 4.4%.

Fortescue reported its FY 2026 results on 20 August.

On the positive side of the ledger, the miner reported revenue of US$17 billion, up 9% year-on-year. And underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) was up 3% to US$3.5 billion.

However, statutory NPAT of US$2.9 billion was down 15%. That was primarily due to the US$525 million non-cash impairment charge relating to Iron Bridge, and a US$73 million compensation claim expense.

On the passive income front, Fortescue declared a fully franked final dividend of 46 cents per share, down 23.3% from last year’s final payout. The stock traded ex-dividend yesterday.

Fortescue shares closed down 0.6% on the day of the results release.

The post Here’s how Fortescue, Rio Tinto and BHP shares stacked up in August appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Why is the ASX 200 having its worst day in 3 months?
• Last chance to grab the supersized BHP dividend today
• How much passive income can I earn off a $630,000 superannuation balance
• Fortescue shares just hit a 52-week low. Is it time to buy?
• Buy, hold, sell: South32, Mineral Resources, BHP 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 recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.