August was a great month for CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares.

Not to mention the company’s shareholders.

In the month just past, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained a respectable 1.1%.

But the Aussie biotech giant left those gains in the dust.

Indeed, on 31 July, you could have bought CSL shares at market close for $123.06. When the closing bell sounded on 31 August, those shares were swapping hands for $171.57 apiece.

This put the ASX 200 biotech stock up a whopping 39.4% in August.

And this isn’t some microcap stock we’re talking about here. CSL commands a market cap of nearly $84 billion.

What sent CSL shares soaring in August?

At the beginning of August, the CSL share price was down more than 53% over the previous 12 months.

With investors seemingly sensing that the company’s ‘reset’ process is gaining traction, bargain hunters sent shares in the ASX 200 biotech up 9.4% by market close on 17 August.

Then, on 18 August, CSL announced its FY 2026 results.

Now, full year revenue of US$15.8 billion was down 1% from FY 2025. However, that significantly beat the company’s revised guidance (issued in May) of US$15.2 billion.

And CSL also operated at a loss, with reported net profit after tax (NPAT) coming in at a loss of US$2.6 billion.

Still, management declared an unfranked final dividend of $2.277 a share, down 7% from last year’s final dividend in Aussie dollar terms.

That passive income payout is still up for grabs, by the way. If you want to bank the final CSL dividend, you’ll need to own shares at market close on 8 September. You can then expect to get paid on 2 October.

So, why did CSL shares surge 17.3% on the day of the results release?

That looks to have been driven by expectations of a stronger year (and years) ahead.

“FY26 has been a year of reset. We have taken decisive action and created a clear path to return to sustainable growth,” CSL interim CEO Gordon Naylor said.

The ASX 200 biotech stock forecasts steady revenue in FY 2027, while it expects underlying NPAT to grow by around 5%.

Is it too late to buy the ASX 200 biotech stock today?

Despite the big surge in CSL shares in recent months, Morgans’ Damien Nguyen believes the ASX 200 biotech stock remains an appealing investment (courtesy of The Bull).

According to Nguyen, who issued a buy recommendation on CSL:

CSL is a global healthcare leader with strong competitive advantages across plasma therapies, vaccines and specialty medicines. Demand for its products remain largely independent of economic conditions.

Nguyen added:

In our view, the latest full year result in 2026 is generating confidence that repeated earnings downgrades are behind CSL.

With defensive earnings, global market leadership and attractive long term growth prospects, we view CSL as an appealing investment opportunity.

The post How CSL shares skyrocketed 39% in August appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 11 ASX 200 shares with reaffirmed buy ratings post-results
• CSL shares rebound 86%: Is the ASX biotech stock a buy, sell or hold for September?
• The 5 best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in August revealed
• Top 3 ASX shares to buy in September 2026
• CSL shares are up more than 40% in a month. What just happened in the US?

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 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.

James Hardie Industries Plc (ASX: JHX) shares are edging higher on Thursday.

At the time of writing, the building products stock is up 1.15% to $40.38, while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is flat at 8,983 points.

It has already been a strong year for shareholders, with James Hardie shares up around 30% since the start of 2026.

The stock traded above $43 in August before giving back some ground over the past few weeks.

So, is there still some upside left?

Why Morgan Stanley is bullish

Morgan Stanley appears to think so.

According to The Australian, analyst Joseph Michael has James Hardie among the broker’s top Australian industrial picks following reporting season.

He believes the company can keep growing faster than the broader market, helped by the AZEK acquisition, cost savings, and stronger cash flow.

Morgan Stanley estimates James Hardie could deliver around 19% more earnings than current market expectations by 2029.

And yes, that’s a pretty bullish call, particularly while the US housing market remains soft.

The latest result also gave investors some reasons to be positive. First-quarter FY27 sales jumped 64% to US$1.47 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 79% to US$422 million.

On a pro-forma basis, which includes AZEK in the comparison period, sales still increased 12%.

Management also lifted its FY27 outlook and now expects pro-forma adjusted EBITDA growth of 7.4% to 13.7%.

Cash flow is heading higher

The balance sheet has been one of the key concerns since the AZEK acquisition.

But there were some encouraging signs in the last quarter.

Free cash flow more than doubled to US$254 million, and the company is still targeting at least US$500 million across FY27.

The planned $840 million Euro sale of Fermacell should also give the balance sheet a boost. Around US$600 million of the proceeds is expected to go towards paying down debt, which should help bring net leverage below 2 times.

James Hardie also announced a US$250 million share buyback alongside the sale.

Would I buy at $40?

I still like the look of James Hardie shares at these levels.

The stock has already had a strong run this year, so I would not expect another easy 30% gain from here.

In addition, broker sentiment is also positive. TipRanks shows 7 buy ratings and 4 holds, with an average price target of $44.84.

That’s around 11% above the current share price.

And if the company keeps delivering on its growth plans, I think there could be more upside over the longer term.

The post This ASX 200 stock is up 30% in 2026. Here’s why I’d still buy it appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Where I’d invest $20,000 in ASX shares this spring
• ASX 200 mining shares outperform in final week of earnings season
• Why Guzman Y Gomez, Pro Medicus and James Hardie shares are turning heads on Friday
• James Hardie sells European business, launches share buyback
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares have been under pressure, falling around 9% over the past 12 months. At the current share price of $34.91, the $117 billion ASX bank stock is trading close to its 52-week low.

The pullback has made the valuation more appealing, but is it enough to make Westpac shares a buy? Let’s see what the experts think.

Solid financial results, but…

Westpac is certainly not a bad bank. It has millions of customers, a huge deposit base, and is one of Australia’s largest mortgage businesses. It is also investing in improving its technology and strengthening areas such as business banking.

The latest quarterly profit itself was reasonably solid. Westpac shares reported $1.8 billion of net profit excluding notable items, up 2% compared with the first-half quarterly average. Net interest margin was also steady at 1.89%.

However, there are some warning signs beneath the surface. Mortgage application volumes declined as competition intensified and borrowers continued to navigate interest-rate uncertainty. Westpac also expects margins to come under further pressure in the near term.

For a major bank whose profitability is heavily influenced by lending margins, that’s not exactly music to shareholders’ ears.

Westpac’s investor presentation showed mortgage applications slowing noticeably. Average monthly applications were around 29,000 during the third quarter, with the post-budget run rate dropping further to approximately 26,000.

That’s important because home lending is a huge part of Westpac’s business.

Concerns about the growth outlook

There is an upside for investors, though. Westpac shares trade at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) and offer a higher dividend yield. That could appeal to investors who prioritise income or want to pay a lower multiple for a major Australian bank.

The market’s hesitation appears to centre on the growth outlook. The key question is whether slowing lending growth and margin pressure can be offset by continued cost discipline and strong credit quality.

Westpac expects the operating environment to remain highly competitive, particularly in mortgages. Management will also be watching consumer spending, credit risks and regulatory changes closely.

What do analysts think?

TradingView data shows nine of 16 brokers rate Westpac shares as sell or strong sell, while six have a hold rating and just one has a strong buy rating. The average price target is $33.38, below the current share price.

The team at Red Leaf recently named Westpac shares as a sell. It highlights the increasingly competitive environment as a reason for caution, particularly given Westpac’s valuation. Red Leaf commented:

The bank remains well capitalised and continues to generate solid earnings, but the operating environment is becoming increasingly competitive. Mortgage pricing is aggressive, deposit competition remains intense and the scope for sustained margin expansion appears limited. Westpac’s dividend remains attractive, but investors should also consider opportunity cost. We believe there are more compelling opportunities on the ASX, which offer stronger structural growth or more attractive valuations.

Foolish takeaway

For income-focused investors, Westpac’s dividend and lower valuation could make the recent weakness in the share price interesting.

But with mortgage competition intensifying and margins under pressure, the case for buying the dip isn’t quite as clear-cut as the cheaper share price might suggest.

The post Westpac shares are under pressure: Is it time to buy the dip? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• A broker just put a sell rating on CBA shares. Is Australia’s biggest bank finally too expensive?
• Australia’s economy just grew faster than expected. What does this mean for ASX shares?
• Down 12% in a month: Is the rally finally over for CBA shares?
• How much is needed in superannuation for $1,500 in weekly passive income?
• How to earn $10,000 in passive income a month with these ASX dividend shares

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.