Welcome to this week’s edition of 18 Share Tips: our weekly selection of top ASX shares, chosen by leading analysts, that we think are worth considering.
This week Michael Gable of Fairmont Equities, John Athanasiou of Red Leaf Securities, and Mark Gardner of MPC Markets share their ‘Buy’, ‘Hold’ and ‘Sell’ recommendations.
Please note these share tips are simply recommendations and are in no way intended as financial advice. These share tips are general advice and don’t take into account any individual’s financial situation. Investors are advised to seek professional financial advice before investing.
Michael Gable, Fairmont Equities
BUY RECOMMENDATIONS
BUY – Woodside Energy Group (WDS)
We turned bullish on crude oil prior to the war in Iran due to a looming imbalance between supply and demand. The war has interrupted supplies, which has led to higher prices. I believe crude oil prices are likely to move higher in the absence of a peaceful and sustained resolution in the Middle East. I acknowledge some investors doubt crude oil prices will move higher. However, as the largest energy stock on the ASX, buying support should continue to grow for WDS.
BUY – BHP Group (BHP)
I believe commodities markets are in the early stages of a bull run, leaving BHP’s share price in a prime position to move higher. Copper now generates most of BHP’s earnings after it produced almost 2 million tonnes in full year 2026. The company should also benefit from constrained global supplies of copper. Iron ore is also a significant contributor to full year earnings. The company posted an attributable profit of $US9.8 billion in full year 2026, up 9 per cent on the prior corresponding period. We view any share price dips as a buying opportunity.
HOLD RECOMMENDATIONS
HOLD – New Hope Corporation (NHC)
I remain bullish about this thermal coal producer, as the war in Iran is leading other countries to lift demand for thermal coal to offset instability in gas markets. The company generated saleable coal production of 11.5 million tonnes in full year 2026, up 7.6 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Production was above market expectations as was the final, fully franked dividend of 30 cents a share. The share price uptrend since early July is sustainable, in my view.
HOLD – South32 (S32)
South32 is a diversified miner with exposure to copper, aluminium, manganese, zinc, silver and lead. The company should benefit as base metal prices continue to trend higher. The outlook also appears bullish, with the stock recently breaking to new highs. The company has announced the sale of its aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa for up to $US5.6 billion. This leaves the possibility of a higher capital return to shareholders. Underlying EBITDA grew by 28 per cent in full year 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period.
SELL RECOMMENDATIONS
SELL – Xero Ltd (XRO)
Xero is an accounting software provider. In my view, potentially increasing bond yields and interest rates will continue to be a headwind for technology stocks, such as XRO. Fiscal year 2026 operating revenue increased 31 per cent on the prior corresponding period. However, net profit after tax fell 27 per cent. The gross margin declined from 89 per cent to 83.9 per cent. From a charting perspective, selling pressure follows share price rallies, so the downtrend may not yet be over at this point.
SELL – Life360 Inc (360)
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This information technology company provides a mobile networking safety app for families. The company posted a 38 per cent increase in revenue in the second quarter of 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period. Total subscription revenue was up 31 per cent. However, the share price has fallen from $29.48 on August 10 to trade at $19.44 on September 24. We believe the business is vulnerable to increasing competition. Any earnings disappointments moving forward may further pressure the share price. Investors may want to consider cashing in some gains.
John Athanasiou, Red Leaf Securities
BUY RECOMMENDATIONS
BUY – CSL Ltd (CSL)
CSL’s recovery is gaining momentum after forecasting underlying profit growth guidance of about 5 per cent in fiscal year 2027. Guidance exceeded market expectations. Immunoglobulin sales improved in the second half of fiscal year 2026 amid the company announcing a further share buy-back of $1.1 billion. The outlook for this global health care company is improving after prolonged underperformance. CSL shares have risen from $92.24 on June 3 to trade at $179.19 on September 24. Successfully meeting or exceeding its targets leaves room for a potentially higher share price considering the stock was trading above $300 in calendar year 2024.
BUY – Woodside Energy Group (WDS)
Woodside offers exposure to recent elevated global energy prices amid supply disruptions and continuing Middle East tensions. Stronger realised prices should support near term cash flow and dividends. A major risk is an easing of geopolitical tensions and a corresponding fall in crude oil prices. However, the company delivered a solid interim result. Operating revenue of $7.446 billion in the first half of 2026 was up 13 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Underlying net profit after tax of $1.334 billion was up 7 per cent. The Scarborough energy project is almost completed.
HOLD RECOMMENDATIONS
HOLD – BHP Group (BHP)
BHP remains a high quality, diversified resources company, supported by iron ore and increasing exposure to copper. However, a softer global growth outlook and uncertainty surrounding Chinese commodity demand limit the case for aggressively buying the stock at this point. Existing investors can continue holding for its balance sheet strength, dividends and long term copper exposure. Copper contributed 54 per cent of group underlying EBITDA in full year 2026.
HOLD – Telstra Group (TLS)
Telstra provides relatively defensive earnings and reliable cash flow during what has been a volatile period for equity markets. The mobile division remains the key earnings driver, while infrastructure assets add stability. However, expectations are already reflected in the share price, and recent network service concerns create reputational risk. Hold for income rather than substantial near term capital growth. Reported net profit after tax of $2.4 billion in full year 2026 was up 2.7 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Reported earnings per share of 19.9 cents were up 5.3 per cent. The company announced a further on-market share buy-back of up to $1 billion in full year 2027 when releasing its full year results in August.
SELL RECOMMENDATIONS
SELL – Corporate Travel Management (CTD)
CTD reported improved underlying earnings in fiscal year 2026. However, in my view, questions remain around historical customer remediation, governance, financial controls and funding requirements. In a company update on April 22, 2026, a review had found that UK customers were charged in excess of their contractual entitlement. On September 1, 2026, the company noted about 78 per cent of customer refunds had been agreed or were nearing finalisation. In my view, the near term risk-reward equation remains unattractive.
SELL – Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA)
CBA is Australia’s highest quality major bank, but, in my view, quality doesn’t always represent value. Its premium valuation leaves limited room for disappointment as rising interest rates potentially slow credit growth and increase borrower stress. Investors could use the opportunity to take profits and consider better-value alternatives elsewhere in the banking sector.
Mark Gardner MPC Markets
BUY RECOMMENDATIONS
BUY – Artrya (AYA)
Artrya is a commercial stage medical technology company, providing exposure to AI-led coronary imaging as the US commercial roll-out begins. The company’s Salix platform reads coronary CT scans and flags patients at risk of a heart attack. The US Food and Drug Administration has cleared the Salix coronary plaque module. The company is establishing a platform for recurring revenue growth, although revenue is relatively small at this stage. US foundation partners have converted to paying contracts. The recent share price sell-off has created an appealing entry level prior to the next US hospital announcement.
BUY – Greatland Resources (GGP)
Greatland is moving into mid-tier gold and copper production. GGP produced 328,987 ounces of gold and 14,594 tonnes of copper in full year 2026. The company beat production and cost guidance. Net profit after tax of $862 million was up 156 per cent on the prior corresponding period. The shares have fallen on weaker production guidance in full year 2027. GGP offers an appealing entry price. In our view, the market is too focused on a weaker guidance rather than funded growth.
HOLD RECOMMENDATIONS
HOLD – JB Hi-Fi (JBH)
JB Hi-Fi remains one of the better retailers on the ASX. The consumer electronics giant delivered record sales of $11.06 billion in full year 2026, up 4.8 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Net profit after tax of $489.9 million was up 6 per cent. The total fully franked dividend of $3.37 was up 22.5 per cent. A concern is momentum, as total sales growth for JB Hi-Fi Australia was down 0.5 per cent between July 1 and July 31, 2026. Hold, but keep an eye on the news flow and numbers.
HOLD – Telix Pharmaceuticals (TLX)
The US Food and Drug Administration recently approved the company’s brain cancer imaging drug Pixclara. TLX shares soared on the news, but we believe the approval is largely priced in at this point. However, the underlying business is in good shape. Group revenue of $US477 million in the first half of 2026 was up 22 per cent on the prior corresponding period. The group gross margin of 55 per cent was up 2 per cent year-on year. The company maintained a cash balance of $US252 million at June 30, 2026.
SELL RECOMMENDATIONS
SELL – SGH Limited (SGH)
This diversified company has businesses across industrial services, energy and media. It owns integrated construction materials business Boral and equipment hire business Coates. WesTrac is the sole authorised Caterpillar dealer in Western Australia, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Group earnings before interest and tax of $1.554 billion in full year 2026 were up just 1 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Underlying net profit after tax of $920 million was broadly flat. SGH is exposed to the Australian construction sector, which is experiencing increasing insolvencies. SGH shares have fallen from $46.34 on August 10 to trade at $36.73 on September 24. Investors may want to consider cashing in some gains. SGH expects to deliver flat to low single digit EBIT growth in full year 2027.
SELL – Qualitas (QAL)
Qualitas is an alternative real estate investment manager with about $11.6 billion of committed funds under management at June 30, 2026. QAL manages investments across real estate private credit and real estate private equity via a range of investment solutions for institutional, wholesale and retail clients. The company has exposure to construction lending in a sector we believe is under pressure from rising costs amid potentially higher interest rates. The shares have fallen from $3.36 on August 13 to trade at $2.38 on September 24. We would rather be on the sidelines until credit costs stop rising.
The above recommendations are general advice and don’t take into account any individual’s objectives, financial situation or needs. Investors are advised to seek their own professional advice before investing. Please note that TheBull.com.au simply publishes broker recommendations on this page. The publication of these recommendations does not in any way constitute a recommendation on the part of TheBull.com.au. You should seek professional advice before making any investment decisions.
