We're now less than a week away from the end of the current financial year and the start of a new one. As such, it's a good time to take stock of some of the top ASX 200 shares on our share market and discuss what the 2025 financial year might have in store for them. Today, it's CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares' turn.
The CSL share price has had a decent, if unspectacular, FY2024. This ASX 200 healthcare stock started FY2024 at $277.38 a share. Today, those same shares are trading at $293.73 at the time of writing, up 0.56% for the day thus far. This means that this company has appreciated by 5.90% over the 2024 financial year to date.
Now that's a decent return. But it hasn't been enough to make CSL a market beater (at least with three-and-a-half days of FY2024 to go). The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has risen 8.46% over the same period.
But maybe FY2025 will be a better year for CSL shares. At least that's what its shareholders would be hoping right about now. But let's see what some ASX experts are pencilling in for this healthcare giant this June.
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ASX experts: CSL shares set for a great FY2025
Here at the Fool, we've looked at a few ASX expert opinions on the CSL share price over the past month or so. First up is ASX broker Macquarie. As my Fool colleague James looked at earlier this month, Macquarie analysts are highly bullish on the company right now. The broker recently gave CSL an 'outperform' rating alongside a 12-month share price target of $330 a share.
If realised, CSL would gain a rosy 12.34% or so over the 2025 financial year.
Not only that, but Macquarie sees continuing success for this ASX 200 stock. It reckons CSL shares could even climb as high as $500 each by 2027, thanks to the strength of the company's Behring business.
But Macquarie isn't the only ASX expert bullish on the CSL share price.
Earlier this month, we also looked at the views of Roy Hunter, portfolio manager at the SG Hiscock Medical Technology Fund. Hunter was asked if CSL shares could indeed hit $500 in the next few years. He replied, "absolutely", and stated this:
I think it's a fool's errand to bet against the ongoing success of a company like CSL. Its core plasma business looks set to deliver strong growth and margin expansion over the next few years.
It seems other experts share this sentiment. According to CommSec, four analysts currently have 'hold' recommendations on CSL, with a further three calling the stock a 'moderate buy', and four arguing CSL shares are a 'strong buy'.
So it seems most ASX experts are united in thinking FY2025 will be a great year for CSL shares. But let's wait and see if they're on the money here.
