Brokers rate these 2 top ASX shares as buys in September

These two businesses are rated as buys by brokers. Here's why…

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

UBS analysts have looked over the reports from earnings season and decided a few of those ASX shares are worthy of being called buys.

Both businesses that I'm covering in this article have international growth intentions and have already grown significantly.

Recent trading has been difficult for both businesses as they worked through challenging conditions in FY25. But, the outlook is now promising, which is why the below ASX shares look like top buys.

Buy and sell written on a white cube.

Image source: Getty Images

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

UBS describes Harvey Norman as an integrated franchising, retail and property company. While Harvey Norman is the main banner in Australia, it also has Domayne and Joyce Mayne. It has company-operated retail operations in New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Slovenia and Croatia.

The Harvey Norman stores sell products like furniture, appliances, computers, phones, flooring and bed products.

The broker rates Harvey Norman shares as a buy, with a price target of $7.75. A price target is where experts believe the share price will be in a year. Therefore, the current UBS price target on Harvey Norman shares implies a possible rise of 4%, plus a forecast dividend yield of around 4%.

UBS was impressed by the FY25 result thanks to the core franchising operations, with a strong July 2025 trading update as well as greater confidence in the outlook. This could allow Harvey Norman to trade on a higher price/earnings (P/E) ratio than history.

The broker said the ASX share's July 2025 like-for-like sales growth showed strength in Australian franchisees (with 6.4% growth) and retail growth in New Zealand (with 7.2% growth).

UBS pointed to a number of positives including real wage growth and falling interest rates and inflation for consumers. The broker also said that items like computers, electronics and furniture saw significant sales during the COVID-19 period, but those categories are now entering a multi-year replacement cycle.

Added to that, the broker is expecting Harvey Norman's profit before tax (PBT) margin to rise because of operating leverage. Sales growth could lead to "outsized PBT growth" as sales improve.

Finally, UBS said Harvey Norman is prudently managing costs, which should "amplify the operating leverage tailwind."

The Harvey Norman share price is valued at 19x FY26's estimated earnings.

Audinate Group Ltd (ASX: AD8)

UBS describes Audinate as a dominant provider of professional audio digital networking technologies globally. Its core technology is Dante, which enables digital audio devices to create a network. Its ecosystem is reportedly 11 times larger than peers. The company also has digital video networking solutions and offers additional audio networking software add-ons.

The broker noted that the ASX share's FY25 was challenging, with the revenue and gross profit not 'business as usual'. It was cycling an "over inflated" FY24, there was excess destocking by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), there was low business confidence (in FY25) and there has been tariff uncertainty.

UBS thinks its estimates for the company's video offering are conservative, yet it believes the market isn't even pricing this in for the long-term.

The broker said about the ASX share:

Longer term, we remain firm believers on audio – every industry contact we've spoken with says Dante is the digital audio "holy grail" and the structural shift from analog to digital will continue. At 10% penetration of the audio opp. – we see plenty of runway. Core video is early days and Iris has no rev, but combining interoperability with control functionality creates an important differentiator to the video offering.

…We recognise that FY26 still has some challenges to work through – but we look to the long term. The current price is factoring in very little to video, assumes minimal recovery to growth vs the market and assumes FY25 is a proper base year (we think it could prove to be a depressed year).

UBS currently has a buy rating on Audinate shares, with a price target of $7.10. That implies a possible rise of 50% over the next year from where the ASX share is today.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Audinate Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Audinate Group and Harvey Norman. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Cheap Shares

Smiling couple looking at a phone at a bargain opportunity.
Cheap Shares

3 ASX 200 shares too cheap to ignore after sell-offs

Big share price declines don’t always mean the story is broken.

Read more »

Two people jump and high five above a city skyline.
Cheap Shares

2 top ASX shares down over 50% to buy now

You might want to consider catching these shares before they rebound.

Read more »

A young woman lifts her red glasses with one hand as she takes a closer look at news.
Cheap Shares

Down 30%! 3 ASX shares I'd buy now

These beaten-down ASX shares are down heavily, but their long-term growth stories still look intact to me.

Read more »

Two ASX shares investors fighting each other to grab gold treasure.
Cheap Shares

Are Jumbo Interactive shares, now at a multi-year low, a once-in-a-generation buying opportunity?

The share price looks broken. The business may be a different story.

Read more »

A couple sits on a sofa, each clutching their heads in horror and disbelief, while looking at a laptop screen.
Cheap Shares

5 oversold ASX shares to buy before the end of April

Not every sell-off creates opportunity, but these ASX shares could be exceptions.

Read more »

Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.
Cheap Shares

2 ASX shares highly recommended to buy: Experts

Investment analysts are excited about the potential of these businesses…

Read more »

Buy now written on a red key with a shopping trolley on an Apple keyboard.
Cheap Shares

2 high-quality ASX stocks to buy and hold long term

It has been a wild ride, but neither ASX stock has lost its edge.

Read more »

Smiling couple sitting on a couch with laptops fist pump each other.
Cheap Shares

Buy and forget? 2 top ASX shares built for the long term

Experts are upbeat and see upside of up to 65%.

Read more »