The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is back in positive territory on Friday.

At the time of writing, the benchmark index is up 0.26% to 9,061 points after closing 0.98% lower at 9,038 points on Thursday.

That leaves the market around 2.5% below its record high of 9,296 points reached earlier this month, although it is still holding above the 9,000 mark.

So, what’s helping the ASX 200 move higher today?

Tech stocks are leading the rebound

Technology shares are doing much of the heavy lifting today after a strong night on Wall Street.

Nvidia Corp (NASDAQ: NVDA) shares jumped 8.7% after investors welcomed the company’s latest quarterly results and outlook. The move added around US$442 billion to the chipmaker’s market value in a single session.

That helped push the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) 1.6% higher, while the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) gained 0.7%, with technology easily the strongest-performing sector.

That strength has flowed through to the local market, with some of the ASX’s biggest tech shares among Friday’s strongest performers.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) shares are up 8.28% to $88.50, and Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares have climbed 3.93% to $186.28.

The banks are also lending a hand. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares are up 0.87% to $156.31, while National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) shares have risen 1.05% to $38.38.

The gains are fairly broad across the market as well, with 103 ASX 200 companies trading higher, 89 lower, and 8 unchanged.

There are still a few big stocks moving the other way though. Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares are down 1.28% to $176.41, Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are 1.19% lower at $39.08, and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares have fallen 1.08% to $172.01.

Rate hike concerns haven’t disappeared

Today’s rise doesn’t mean investors have stopped worrying about interest rates.

The latest ABS figures showed annual inflation eased to 3.5% in July, although trimmed mean inflation remained higher at 3.6%.

Household spending also jumped, rising 1.1% in July and 7% over the year. That has kept the possibility of another RBA rate hike on the table for now.

Westpac chief economist Luci Ellis said the latest inflation numbers have increased the risk of another hike, but she doesn’t think the RBA has seen enough yet to make that call.

She sees November as a more likely time for a move than September, with the RBA still set to receive more data on jobs, spending, and inflation before deciding what comes next.

What should investors watch?

The ASX 200 has found some support after falling for 2 straight sessions, although it is still sitting below the 9,296-point record high reached on 6 August.

From here, investors will be watching to see whether today’s tech-led rebound can build into something broader and carry into next week.

Interest rates are still likely to have the biggest say in where the market heads next.

The post Why the ASX 200 is pushing higher as rate hike fears grow appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
• Should I buy BHP shares before the end of August?
• 37 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Why is the ASX 200 falling to a 4-day low 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 positions in and has recommended CSL, Nvidia, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL, Nvidia, and Pro Medicus. 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 0.3% higher at 9,061.6 points on the second last day of earnings season.

This week, brokers indicated continued confidence in several ASX 200 shares.

Let’s check them out.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

The Coles share price is $23.40, down 1.4% today and down 3% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 consumer staples share has fallen 2%.

Morgan Stanley renewed its buy rating on Coles shares this week.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $25.

This suggests a potential 6% upside ahead.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

The Mineral Resources share price is $64.35, down 1.6% today and up 74% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 mining share has soared 21%.

Bell Potter renewed its buy rating on Mineral Resources shares today.

The broker has a $75 target, which implies a 15% upside ahead.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

The Woolworths share price is $39.04, down 1.3% today and up 38% over 12 months.

This ASX 200 supermarket share has fallen 2% over the past month.

Morgans reiterated its buy rating on Woolworths shares with a price target of $43.50.

This implies potential capital gains of 11% ahead.

Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI)

The Centuria Capital share price is $1.18, down 1.3% today and down 52% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX real estate investment trust (REIT) has slumped 22%.

UBS maintained its buy rating on Centuria Capital shares today.

The broker lowered its target from $2.11 to $1.80, suggesting a 52% upside ahead.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

The Paladin Energy share price is $11.77, down 2.6% today and up 62% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 uranium share has ripped 28% higher.

Jefferies reaffirmed its buy rating on Paladin Energy shares yesterday.

The broker raised its price target from $12.50 to $14.50.

This suggests a potential 22% upside ahead.

NextDCLtd (ASX: NXT)

The NextDC share price is $14, up 3.1% today and up 2% over 12 months.

This ASX 200 tech share has increased 6% over the past month.

UBS renewed its buy rating on NextDC shares today with a $22.55 target.

This implies potential capital growth of 61% over the next year.

Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO)

The Droneshield share price is $1.76, down 1.7% today and down 46% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 industrials share has fallen 2.5%.

Bell Potter renewed its buy rating on Droneshield shares this week.

The broker shaved its 12-month price target from $2.50 to $2.40.

This suggests a potential 35% upside ahead.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The WiseTech share price is $41.89, up 6% today and down 58% over 12 months.

This ASX 200 tech share has risen 21% over the past month.

Morgans reiterated its buy rating on Wisetech shares this week.

The broker cut its target price from $67 to $62.50.

This implies a potential 49% upside ahead.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

The Qantas share price is $9.54, down 1.2% today and down 21% over 12 months. 

Over the past month, this ASX 200 airline share has fallen 8%.

Morgan Stanley retained its buy call on Qantas shares today.

The broker raised its target from $12.50 to $12.80.

This suggests a potential 33% upside ahead.

The post 9 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Buy, hold, sell: Ramsay Health Care, PLS Group, Woolworths shares
• 3 ASX 200 stocks, including Paladin Energy, storming higher on earnings results this week
• WiseTech shares are bouncing back. Is it time to buy?
• Are DroneShield shares a buy after dropping almost 50% in 2026?
• Buy, hold, sell: Domino’s, Flight Centre, and WiseTech shares

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 DroneShield, Jefferies Financial Group, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. 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 0.3% higher at 9,062.7 points on the second last day of earnings season.

Brokers have been reviewing ASX 200 company reports and updating their ratings and 12-month price targets accordingly.

Here are three updates from Morgans.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

The Woolworths share price is $38.95, down 1.5% today and up 37% over 12 months.

Woolworths released its FY26 earnings this week.

Morgans reiterated its accumulate rating on the ASX 200 consumer staples share.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $37.30 to $43.50.

This implies potential capital gains of 11% ahead for Woolworths shares.

Morgans said:

WOW’s FY26 result was slightly better than expected. Australian Food earnings were in line with our forecast, while Australian B2B and W Living exceeded expectations. NZ Food was softer following a challenging 2H26.

Encouragingly, Australian Food sales momentum has continued into early FY27, supported by the popular Disney Ooshies collectibles campaign. Excluding this benefit, sales growth remained solid, indicating the underlying business continues to perform well.

Our target price increases to $43.50 (from $37.30), reflecting changes to earnings forecasts and a higher valuation multiple.

The multiple expansion reflects continued positive momentum in the core Australian Food segment, our increased confidence that this sales growth can be sustained, and improved execution.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)

The Ramsay Health Care share price is $50.98, up 1.8% today and up 50% over 12 months.

Ramsay Health Care released its FY26 report this week.

Morgans renewed its hold rating on the ASX 200 healthcare share with a $49.39 target.

This suggests the stock is fully valued.

The broker said:

FY26 underlying NPAT increased 23% and was ahead of expectations, with EBIT growth and positive OCF (ex РSant̩). Australia remained the earnings driver, while UK Acute was the standout and Elysium showed a material 2H turnaround.

Pleasingly, Australia delivered EBIT growth of 11.2% and 30bp margin expansion despite a 4% headwind from new funding at Joondalup public, supported by activity, acuity, theatre utilisation, PHI indexation and cost control.

While we view result quality as encouraging (OCF & ROCE up), FY27 guidance is qualitative, with management only targeting EBIT growth and margin expansion (ex РSant̩), leaving the sustainability question open for debate.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)

The PLS Group share price is $5.34, up 3.6% today and up 132% over 12 months. 

PLS Group released its FY26 results this week.

Morgans downgraded the ASX 200 lithium share from hold to trim with a $4.60 target.

This suggests a potential 13% downside ahead.

Morgans commented:

PLS delivered an in-line FY26 Underlying EBITDA result and surprised with a maiden 5cps fully franked final dividend (22% FCF payout).

We view PLS as fairly valued at current levels, with its premium to peers already reflecting the company’s best-in-class execution, balance sheet and growth optionality.

Depleted lithium inventories leave scope for short-term upside, though we see the medium-term outlook as more volatile given uncertainty around supply and demand drivers.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Ramsay Health Care, PLS Group, Woolworths shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 9 ASX 200 shares with strengthened buy ratings this week
• How much passive income can I earn off a $1 million superannuation balance?
• How much could $10,000 in Woolworths shares be worth in a year?
• 37 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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 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.