Analysts name 2 top ASX 200 shares to buy today

Leading investment experts name two quality ASX 200 shares to buy now.

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Key points
  • SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) is recommended as a buy due to its diversified industrial and energy services and its potential to benefit from strong demand in the resources sector.
  • Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN) is viewed positively for its strong growth prospects supported by organic sales growth, efficiency gains, and favourable exchange rates.
  • Both stocks, SGH and Ansell, are positioned as attractive buys for their defensive earnings and potential for favourable re-ratings.

Looking to add a few buy-rated S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares to your investment portfolio for the holidays?

You've come to the right place!

Below, we look at two stocks analysts expect to be well-placed to outperform in the year ahead (courtesy of The Bull).

Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.

Image source: Getty Images

A compelling buy-the-dip opportunity

The first ASX 200 share tipped as a buy is SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH), also known as Seven Group Holdings.

SGH shares are up 0.4% in early afternoon trade today, changing hands for $46.26. That sees the share price up a modest 1.6% over 12 months. SGH stock also trades on a fully franked 1.3% trailing dividend yield.

And with the share price down 11% since 11 August, DP Wealth Advisory's Andrew Wielandt believes SGH shares are now trading for a bargain.

"This diversified company focuses on industrial services and energy," Wielandt said.

He noted:

Businesses include WesTrac, Coates and Boral, along with significant exposures to Beach Energy and Seven West Media. WesTrac is the sole authorised Caterpillar dealer in Western Australia, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Commenting on the growth outlook for the ASX 200 stock, Wielandt said, "We expect the Caterpillar dealerships to benefit from strong expected demand in the resources sector. SGH should also benefit from equipment hire."

And with the SGH share price still well down since August, now could be an opportune time to wade in and buy the dip.

Wielandt concluded:

Fiscal year 2026 guidance fell short of market expectations. Share price weakness provides a buying opportunity. The shares have fallen from $51.86 on August 11, the day prior to reporting full year 2025 results, to trade at $44.72 on December 11.

Which brings us to…

ASX 200 share offers attractive re-rating potential

The second stock you may wish to add to your Christmas list is Ansell Limited (ASX: ANN).

Shares in the health and safety products company are up 0.2% at the time of writing, trading for $36.06 each. Ansell shares have increased by 9.5% over the past 12 months. The ASX 200 share also trades on a 2.1% unfranked trailing dividend yield.

Looking ahead, EnviroInvest's Elio D'Amato sees further strong growth potential.

"Ansell makes personal protection equipment for healthcare and industrial workplaces," said D'Amato, who has a buy recommendation on Ansell shares.

According to D'Amato:

Organic sales growth, efficiency gains and favourable foreign exchange movements supported upgraded earnings per share guidance to between $US1.37 and $US1.49 in fiscal year 2026.

The balance sheet remains sound, and margin momentum is improving across its healthcare and industrial divisions.

And the ASX 200 share should appeal to ESG investors as well.

D'Amato noted:

Environmentally, ANN benefits from tightening global sustainability standards in personal protective equipment procurement and ongoing investment in cleaner manufacturing processes. ANN intends to be net zero, including scope 3 emissions, by 2045.

Connecting the dots, D'Amato concluded, "ANN offers defensive earnings, improving cash flow prospects and attractive re-rating potential."

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 recommended Ansell. 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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