CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares dipped 0.11% for the day on Tuesday. At the close of the ASX, the share price was $183.44. The decline is small though, and off the back of a 3.64% increase over the past month it sparks the question: Have CSL shares finally reached the bottom?
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What happened to CSL shares?
The biotech company's shares suffered a brutal sell-off in mid-August. This followed CSL's FY25 results, where a surprise restructure announcement strategic demerger sparked an investor panic. Investors weren't happy with the announcement and sold off their shares in fear. As a result, the CSL share price lost around a fifth of its value within just one week. At the time, analysts said the investor reaction was overdone and unwarranted.
Just two and a half months later, in late-October, the company's share price dropped another 19.2% to a seven-year low after it downgraded its FY26 revenue and profit growth guidance. Management had originally forecast an FY26 revenue growth of 4-5% and forecast net profit after tax before amortisation (NPATA) to grow 7-10%. But in October this was downgraded to FY26 revenue guidance of 2-3% and NPATA growth guidance of 4-7%. CSL also said its planned demerger of its Seqirus business will be pushed back.
Have CSL shares finally reached the bottom?
Despite a cluster of headwinds facing the business this year, and a downwards spiral of the CSL share price, it looks like we could be beginning to see green shoots of recovery.
Since the latest price plunge, CSL shares have climbed just over 7%. While the share price has fallen a little further today, I'm optimistic investor sentiment is turning a corner. CSL shares were the fifth most-traded by CommSec clients last week, over half of which was buying activity. If investor interest begins to pick up, it could mean that the share price does too.
Analysts appear to be bullish about the stock too. Tradingview data shows that out of 18 analysts, 1 have a buy or strong buy rating on CSL shares. The remaining 4 have a hold rating.
The average target price for the stock is $242.20, but some expect this could be as high as $278.05 over the next 12 months. At the time of writing this implies a huge potential 51.57% upside for investors.
Macquarie and UBS have a buy rating on CSL shares and a 12-month price target of $275.20 and $275 respectively. This suggests a potential 50% gain from here.
The team at Red Leaf Securities thinks that the biotech giant has been oversold and have named it as an ASX share to buy this week.
