Buy, hold, sell: CSL, Vulcan, Woolworths shares

Let's see what analysts are saying about these stocks this week.

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Key points
  • CSL is deemed a sell by EnviroInvest due to declining vaccination rates impacting Seqirus, coupled with ongoing costs from its Vifor integration, suggesting better capital deployment opportunities elsewhere in the near term.
  • Vulcan Energy earns a buy recommendation thanks to securing a €2.2 billion financing package, enabling the launch of Europe's first zero-carbon lithium project, significantly enhancing its strategic positioning according to EnviroInvest.
  • Woolworths is tagged a sell by Alto Capital, citing high costs and limited growth prospects amidst a challenging economic environment, with its high P/E ratio reflecting limited potential for share price appreciation.

Wondering which popular ASX shares to buy, hold, or sell? Let's take a look at what analysts are saying about three popular options, courtesy of The Bull.

Here's what they are recommending to their clients:

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CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

This biotechnology giant's shares have fallen hard this year for a number of reasons. But EnviroInvest isn't recommending that investors buy them just yet and has labelled them as a sell.

It highlights that declining vaccination rates are weighing on its performance and feels that capital could be better deployed in other opportunities. EnviroInvest said:

CSL recently cut revenue and profit growth forecasts for fiscal year 2026. The company's vaccine division Seqirus is under pressure from declining vaccination rates in the United States. Plasma collection remains healthy, but integration costs involving CSL Vifor, a leader in iron deficiency and nephrology, amid restructuring expenses continue to weigh on margins and cash flow, in my view. In the absence of near-term catalysts and years of share price stagnation, capital could be better deployed elsewhere until the outlook improves.

Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL)

One ASX share that EnviroInvest is positive on is Vulcan Energy. It has put a buy recommendation on the Germany-based lithium developer.

EnviroInvest was pleased with the announcement of its financing package and gives it a materially stronger strategic positioning. It said:

Vulcan recently secured a €2.2 billion ($A3.929 billion) financing package to fully fund phase one of its Lionheart project, It's Europe's first fully integrated, zero carbon lithium and renewable energy project. Funding enables immediate construction. The package includes €1.185 billion in senior debt, €204 million in German government grants, €150 million from KfW, plus strategic equity from HOCHTIEF, Siemens and Demeter. Phase one targets 24,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide per year. With funding risk removed and execution underway, VUL's strategic positioning is materially stronger.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

This supermarket giant has been named as a sell by Alto Capital. It fears that higher costs and subdued discretionary spending could weigh on its growth and profitability. It explains:

The supermarket giant's full year 2025 results fell short of market expectations, highlighting margin pressure and subdued sales growth. WOW was recently trading on a lofty price/earnings ratio of about 37 times, which leaves limited upside, in our view. Rising costs combined with subdued discretionary spending suggest growth and profitability may remain constrained. We believe much of the upside is already priced in, so investors may want to consider taking some gains in a high cost, low growth environment.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL and Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. 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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