Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, Reece, and TechnologyOne shares

Let's see what analysts at Morgans are saying about these shares.

| More on:
Businessman working and using Digital Tablet new business project finance investment at coffee cafe.

Image source: Getty Images

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

Key points

  • Morgans has upgraded James Hardie to a buy rating due to better-than-expected performance and outlook in its quarterly update, indicating potential for recovery in demand despite challenges in North America.
  • Reece is rated as a hold by Morgans, as while its quarterly update showed strong sales, ongoing margin pressures from higher costs and tough market conditions in ANZ and the US pose challenges.
  • TechnologyOne receives an accumulate rating from Morgans, which views the negative share price reaction as excessive given its solid full-year results and robust ARR growth, making its current price an attractive entry point.

There are a lot of ASX shares to choose from on the Australian share market.

To narrow things down, let's look at what Morgans is saying about a few popular options following recent updates. Here's what it is recommending:

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

Morgans was pleased with this building products company's recent quarterly update, noting that its performance and outlook were more positive than expected.

As a result, the broker has upgraded its shares to a buy rating with a $35.50 price target. It said:

Whilst the headline 2QFY26 result was largely released in early Oct-25, the details and outlook were incrementally more positive than previously anticipated. Upgraded guidance reflects a c.6% organic decline (vs pcp), as a challenging environment sees volume declines exceed price increases.

However, this is better than feared and may prove to be a bottoming in the cycle as demand stabilises. JHX is trading on c.17.1x FY26F as the business navigates its acquisition missteps, earnings downgrades and a challenging consumer environment in North America (NA). However, at EPS of c.U$1.04/sh in FY26 we see upside from both earnings and an undemanding PER (ave PER. 20x). It is on this basis we upgrade to a BUY recommendation and $35.50/sh target price.

Reece Ltd (ASX: REH)

This plumbing parts company also delivered a quarterly update that was better than expected.

However, Morgans highlights that the worst is not necessarily over for Reece, with its margins and earnings under pressure from higher costs.

In light of this, it has only upgraded its shares to a hold rating with an $11.25 price target. It said:

REH provided a trading update at its AGM. 1Q26 sales were stronger than anticipated, supported by contributions from an expanded branch network across both ANZ and the US. However, earnings and margins remain under pressure due to higher costs. Management expects soft market conditions to persist in both ANZ and the US. We increase FY26-28F sales by 7%, while EBIT remains largely unchanged (+1%). Our estimates also incorporate the recent off-market buyback. Our target price rises to $11.25 (from $11.10).

With a 12-month forecast TSR of 5%, we upgrade our rating to HOLD (from TRIM). While we continue to view REH as a fundamentally strong business with a good culture and a long track record of growth, the operating environment remains challenging, particularly in the US where competitive pressures persist. Trading on 24.2x FY26F PE with a 1.6% yield, we see the stock as fully valued and prefer to wait for signs of market improvement before reassessing our view.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

Finally, enterprise software provider TechnologyOne released a full year result that was in line with Morgans' expectations.

And while its annualised recurring revenue (ARR) may have been a touch softer than expected, the broker feels the negative share price reaction has been overdone. As a result, it has upgraded its shares to an accumulate rating with a $34.50 price target. It said:

TNE's FY25 result was largely in line with our expectations with the group delivering, PBT growth of +19% to $181.5m ahead of its 13-17% guidance range, and in line with consensus. The negative share price reaction appears to have been driven by softer than expected ARR/NRR print, which saw a 2% miss to ARR growth expectations vs consensus, despite this, the group continues to deliver, with ARR of $554.6m (+18% YoY), which along with its NRR growth of 115% continues to see TNE Ontrack to achieve its long-term ARR growth aspirations.

We modestly pare our EPS forecasts by 1-3% in FY26-28F. and move to an ACCUMULATE rating, with our target price $34.50 now reflecting a TSR of +19% following TNE's post result share price movement.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Technology One. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Broker Notes

Buy now written on a red key with a shopping trolley on an Apple keyboard.
Broker Notes

Experts rate these 2 ASX shares as buys this month!

Leading analysts say these stocks are a buy.

Read more »

Man reading an e-book with his feet up and piles of books next to him.
Broker Notes

What's Bell Potter's view on SGH shares after the BlueScope Steel acquisition proposal?

What should investors expect after Monday's announcement?

Read more »

Businessman working and using Digital Tablet new business project finance investment at coffee cafe.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: How does Morgans rate these ASX shares?

Morgans has been looking at a couple of popular shares.

Read more »

A man pulls a shocked expression with mouth wide open as he holds up his laptop.
Broker Notes

Why this beaten down ASX 200 stock could rise 50%

This stock could be dirt cheap according to analysts at Bell Potter.

Read more »

Man presses green buy button and red sell button on a graph.
Broker Notes

Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Here's what brokers are recommending as buys this week.

Read more »

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Fortescue, Qantas, and WiseTech shares

Are these popular shares in the buy zone? Let's find out what analysts are saying.

Read more »

Contented looking man leans back in his chair at his desk and smiles.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Breville, Catalyst Metals, and Goodman shares

Let's see what analysts at Morgans are saying about these top stocks.

Read more »

Broker written in white with a man drawing a yellow underline.
Broker Notes

Leading brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy today

Here's why brokers believe that now could be the time to snap up these shares.

Read more »