Buy, hold, sell: ResMed, Sonic Healthcare, and Steadfast

Let's see what analysts are saying about these popular stocks.

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Key points

  • A leading sleep disorder treatment company's shares are rated as a hold due to competitive concerns, despite strong fundamentals and limited downside.
  • A global pathology services provider is also rated as a hold, with expected growth not yet sufficient for a more positive outlook.
  • An insurance broker is recommended as a buy, with growth driven by acquisitions and rising premiums, bolstering a strong financial outlook.

Analysts have been running the rule over a number of ASX 200 shares this week.

Let's now look at three popular shares and see if analysts think they are buys, holds, or sells, courtesy of The Bull. Here's what they are saying about them:

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

Morgans is positive on this sleep disorder treatment company. However, it only rates its shares as a hold right now. It highlights the recent softening of investor sentiment due to concerns around competition and broader negativity in the healthcare sector. It said:

ResMed remains a global leader in treating sleep disordered breathing and providing respiratory care. The company is supported by strong fundamentals and a growing software-as-a-service segment. However, investor sentiment has softened due to concerns around competition and broader negativity towards healthcare stocks. While long term prospects remain intact and downside appears limited, we suggest existing stockholders remain invested. Revenue of $5.1 billion in full year 2025 was up 10 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

The team at Catapult Wealth rates this ASX 200 healthcare stock as a hold. Although it believes it is well-positioned for growth in the coming years, it isn't enough for a more positive rating. It explains:

This global pathology services provider is regaining earnings momentum after COVID-19 related revenues eased. The company used its pandemic windfall to fund acquisitions, which, along with organic growth and cost reductions, are expected to drive strong earnings growth in coming years. With a commitment to steady dividends, SHL was recently trading on a solid dividend yield of about 5 per cent. The company generated revenue and profit growth in full year 2025, but the market generally considered the result below expectations.

Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF)

One ASX 200 share that Catapult Wealth rates as a buy is insurance broker Steadfast. The broker is positive on its outlook and believes the company is positioned for growth thanks to acquisitions and increasing insurance premiums. It explains:

Steadfast is the biggest general insurance broking and underwriting agency in Australasia, and is starting to grow across the globe. The company is steadily growing organically and via acquisitions. SDF can benefit from increasing insurance premiums without taking on the underlying insurance risk. Underlying net profit after tax of $295.5 million in full year 2025 was up 17.2 per cent on the prior corresponding period. The final fully franked dividend of 11.7 cents was up 14 per cent. The company has forecast underlying net profit after tax of between $315 million and $325 million in fiscal year 2026. We like the company's outlook.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Steadfast Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Steadfast Group. 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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