Broker names 2 ASX 200 shares to buy and 1 to hold

Let's see which shares are getting the thumbs up from this broker.

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A female broker in a red jacket whispers in the ear of a man who has a surprised look on his face as she explains which two ASX 200 shares should do well in today's volatile climate

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There are a lot of shares to choose from on the ASX 200 index.

But don't worry, the team at Baker Young, courtesy of The Bull, has narrowed things down by naming two ASX 200 shares to buy and one to hold.

Let's see what its analysts are recommending this week:

Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI)

Baker Young is bullish on this investment management company and believes it could be an ASX 200 share to buy following its strong full year results.

This is partly because it is expecting strong performance fees from Pinnancle in the near term thanks to booming markets. It explains:

Pinnacle is a global multi-affiliate investment management firm. The company's recent full year results confirmed underlying fund performance and overall investment flows, particularly at new affiliate Life Cycle, continue to impress. Pinnacle posted net profit after tax of $134.4 million in fiscal year 2025, up 49 per cent on the prior corresponding period. Total dividends of 60 cents a share in fiscal year 2025 were up 43 per cent. With markets invariably at or around record highs, we expect the company to generate increasing performance fees, as high watermark restraints are cleared. We view any dip in PNI's share price as an opportunity to add stock to portfolios.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

Another ASX 200 share that its analysts are bullish on is pathology services provider Sonic Healthcare.

It highlights that its shares are trading at a sizeable discount to its valuation despite its improving outlook. It said:

Australia's leading pathology services provider continues to trade at a steep discount to our valuation despite supportive Medicare data and ongoing efforts to manage costs. While uncertainty regarding Sonic's US business persists in terms of scale and growth, we're looking for an encouraging update when the firm delivers financial results on August 21. SHL generated statutory revenue of $4.669 billion in the first half of fiscal year 2025, an increase of 8.4 per cent on the prior corresponding period. EBITDA of $827 million was up 12.3 per cent.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

Finally, Baker Young thinks that this cloud accounting platform provider is a hold.

It is positive on the ASX 200 share, but not enough to rate it as a buy. Commenting on the tech stock, it said:

XRO is a global accounting software provider. The company recently completed an institutional placement of $1.85 billion to fund the company's acquisition of Melio, a US business-to-business payments platform. We expect the company to focus on its key and strongly performing Australian and UK markets, while investors assess Melio's ability to drive long awaited US market penetration.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Xero. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management Group and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management Group and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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