Warning! Analysts think it's time to sell these 3 ASX 200 shares

Here's why these shares are predicted to fall.

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Key points
  • The ASX 200 index continues its decline, closing 0.52% lower at 8,753.4 points on Thursday, signalling the need for portfolio evaluation.
  • Fletcher Building is facing a potential 54.7% downside with Macquarie rating it as underperform due to declining trading volumes and challenging market conditions.
  • Analysts caution on Bank of Queensland and Commonwealth Bank with underperform and sell ratings, predicting 11.7% and 40% downsides respectively due to stretched valuations and overpriced stocks.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed in the red for the third consecutive day on Thursday. The index ended 0.52% lower at 8,753.4 points. Over the month the index has fallen 1.46% and now 6.83% higher over the year.

When the ASX 200 is falling, it's more important than ever to evaluate the stocks in your portfolio.

Here are three shares that it's time to sell up, according to the experts.

A young woman with tattoos puts both thumbs down and scrunches her face.

Image source: Getty Images

Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU)

The Fletcher Building share price closed 1.3% lower on Thursday, at $3.04 a piece. Over the past month the shares have risen 6.56% and over the year they're 5.56% higher. But it looks like investors could be in for a huge potential downside ahead.

The ASX 200 company recently reported ongoing declines in trading volumes for the first quarter of FY26 and expects challenging conditions to continue for the remainder of the period. And analysts aren't impressed.

Just last week, Macquarie placed an underperform rating on the stock and a NZ$1.59 target price. Using Fletcher Building's NZ$3.51 share price at the time of writing, this implies a huge 54.7% downside ahead. It looks like it's time to sell up.

Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ)

Bank of Queensland shares also closed in the red on Thursday, down 1.18% at $6.68 a piece. Over the month the shares have dropped 7.09% and over the year just 0.75% higher.

Bank valuations are stretched right now, and there is continued downside risk to margins and earnings. Analysts at Macquarie recently said that in the near term, it sees upside risk to consensus earnings from faster credit growth and benign credit quality.

The broker has an underperform rating and $5.90 target price on Bank of Queensland shares. At the time of writing that represents a potential 11.7% downside ahead over the next 12 months.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price closed 1.14% higher on Thursday at $160.19 a piece. Over the past month the ASX 200 bank's shares have dropped 3.03% but over the year they're still 7.09% higher. But it looks like the tide could soon be turning for the banking giant.

Analysts weren't very impressed with the bank's latest quarterly update, and the consensus is that the stock is well overpriced and due a correction.

Analysts at Morgans have a sell rating on CBA shares and a $96.07 target price. At the time of writing that implies an enormous 40% downside for investors over the next 12 months.

Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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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