Broker says accumulate Woodside and these ASX 200 shares

The team at Morgans is feeling positive about these large caps.

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A man in his office leans back in his chair with his hands behind his head looking out his window at the city, sitting back and relaxed, confident in his ASX share investments for the long term.

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If you have room in your investment portfolio for some new additions, then it could be worth looking at the ASX 200 shares listed below.

That's because the team at Morgans is urging investors to accumulate them after reviewing their results releases this month. Here's what the broker is saying:

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)

Morgans is feeling positive about this waste management company. In response to its full year results, it has put an accumulate rating and $3.11 price target on its shares.

The broker feels that the ASX 200 share's strong earnings growth outlook is attractive. It said:

FY25 EBIT was as guided by management, albeit quality may be questioned given the underlying adjustments. First-time FY26 EBIT guidance is a touch below what the bulls had hoped for, but is management seeking to under promise and overdeliver?

The increased interest cost guidance was a negative surprise. 12 month target price reduces 1 cps to $3.11/sh, with forecast downgrades offset by capex constraint and valuation roll-forward. We continue to recommend clients ACCUMULATE the stock, with a potential TSR of c.13% pa at current prices. The strong earnings growth outlook is attractive.

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

Another ASX 200 share that Morgans is positive on is building products company James Hardie. Its analysts have retained their accumulate rating with a $37.10 price target.

While the broker highlights that its first quarter update was well short of expectations and its guidance was even worse, it believes it is worth sticking with it. Especially given the significant renovation opportunity in the United States. It said:

JHX's 1Q26 result fell short of investors' expectations with FY26 EBITDA guidance of $1.05bn to $1.15bn c.23% below of VA Consensus (including AZEK) and 20% below MorgansF. More notably, management's indications are that FY26F EPS would be 75 to 85 cps, approx. half FY25A (149 cps), a result of a) AZEK dilution and b) a weaker US housing market. North American volumes declined 14% for the quarter, driving a 830bps decline in EBIT margin, a trend which is likely to persist through CY25. With interest rates too high to stimulate demand and new housing sales declining, a US consumer recovery is likely on hold until at least mid-CY26.

Longer term, JHX can continue its path towards further material conversion (fibre cement replacing wood/vinyl) as the c.35m homes of prime renovation aged are progressively re-sided and decks replaced. On this basis, we retain our ACCUMULATE recommendation with a $37.10/sh price target.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Finally, Morgans has good things to say about this ASX 200 energy share and has retained its accumulate rating with a $29.60 price target.

The broker was pleased with its healthy earnings and robust margins. It explains:

Strong where it counts, management was clear on its confidence in its: 1) balance sheet, 2) LALNG selldowns (still targeting ~50%), and 3) restoration provisions. EBITDAX of US$4.69bn was healthy at -2% YoY and in line with estimates, with margin remaining at a robust 71%. ~US$2bn blowout in actual capex cash outflows in H1 saw net debt climb to US$8.7bn, materially above estimates. We maintain an ACCUMULATE rating on WDS, any short-term oil price volatility could yield an attractive entry.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group. 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.

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