CSL, Sonic, and Sigma Healthcare shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

Analysts share their ratings and opinions on 3 large-cap ASX 200 healthcare stocks.

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Key points

  • CSL Ltd shares have dropped 36% this year, with one analyst expressing concern over the company's ability to maintain consistent earnings growth after downgrading forecasts and announcing a restructure.
  • Sigma Healthcare, boosted by its merger with Chemist Warehouse earlier this year, is seeing strong sales growth, though one analyst suggests caution as it remains expensive despite cost-saving measures.
  • Sonic Healthcare shares have been significantly sold off, but this analyst sees potential value due to its solid fundamentals, modest valuation, and demand driven by an aging global population.

ASX 200 healthcare shares are among just two market sectors in the green today, with the other nine all in the red.

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is up 0.085% compared to a 1% decline for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

On The Bull this week, three analysts share their ratings and opinions on three large-cap ASX 200 healthcare shares.

Let's take a look.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price is $180.98 on Thursday, up 1.07% today and down 36% in the year to date.

Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities has a sell rating on the market's largest ASX 200 healthcare share.

Gable explains:

CSL's share price has been slashed following downgrades amid announcing a company restructure at its full year results in August.

This biopharmaceutical giant recently cut revenue and profit growth forecasts for fiscal year 2026.

In our view, CSL is at risk of seeing its premium rating diminish further until investors are confident the company can reliably deliver consistent earnings growth.

From a charting perspective, CSL has broken below a few major support levels, suggesting the company may be entering a downtrend phase.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

The Sigma Healthcare share price is $3.09, down 1.28% today and up 15% in the year to date.

Sigma Healthcare became the second-biggest ASX 200 healthcare share after its blockbuster merger with Chemist Warehouse.

Toby Grimm from Baker Young has a hold rating on Sigma Healthcare shares.

While the stock continues to screen as expensive, we're impressed with the company's ability to drive cost savings.

It announced an additional $40 million per annum in August, with scope for further upside. It delivered exceptional sales growth.

It generated like-for-like sales growth of 14.7 per cent across Chemist Warehouse stores during the September quarter, up from 11.3 per cent in full year 2025.

Clearly, Sigma's offerings are resonating with customers, and we expect upgrades to future earnings forecasts should current trends continue.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL)

The Sonic Healthcare share price is $21.22, up 0.43% on Thursday and down 22% in the year to date.

Sonic Healthcare is a global pathology services provider and the seventh largest ASX 200 healthcare share by market cap.

Dylan Evans from Catapult Wealth notes that Sonic Healthcare shares have been "significantly sold off" since the August earnings season.

In its full-year FY25 report, Sonic Healthcare revealed a net profit of $514 million, up 7%, and revenue of $9.645 billion, up 8%.

Evans said:

The company has taken time to recover from the post COVID-19 hangover, but we see the sell off as an opportunity.

Sonic trades on a modest multiple for a growing healthcare company, has a solid balance sheet and is supported by demand from an ageing worldwide population.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and 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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