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

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

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Key points

  • Fortescue is being painted as operationally solid, but with the share price already ahead of one broker’s valuation, the tone is more steady as you go than rush in.
  • Qantas is getting credit for Jetstar doing the heavy lifting and efficiency gains from Project Sunrise, with the suggestion that improving industry conditions could still leave room for further upside.
  • WiseTech is framed as a turnaround story where the share price fall was driven by company-specific dramas, but analysts reckon attention is shifting back to product momentum, a new commercial approach, and acquisition integration.

If you're in the market for some blue-chip additions to your portfolio, then read on.

That's because analysts have given their verdicts on the three very popular ASX 200 shares listed below.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Let's find out:

Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)

This iron ore giant is a popular option for Aussie investors that are looking for exposure to the mining sector.

However, Morgans thinks investors should be keeping their powder dry for now. It recently upgraded its shares to a hold rating with a $19.30 price target. This compares to its current share price of $22.68. It said:

FMG's core iron ore operations continue to perform well and have benefitted from a higher iron ore price than forecast. The revised LOM plan for the hematite operations adds substantial value on our initial assumptions and is an impressive extraction of value from a recent acquisition. Our NPV-based target price is up 13%, to $19.30/sh on the higher iron ore price and the revised LOM plan. We upgrade to Hold from Sell.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

This airline operator's shares have significantly re-rated over the past two years. The good news is that Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) thinks there's still plenty more upside to come.

The broker recently upgraded Qantas shares to an outperform rating with a $12.29 price target. This implies potential upside of 18% for investors from current levels.

Commenting on its upgrade, Macquarie said:

JQ [Jetstar] continues to be the growth driver, both domestically and internationally, with the redeployment of JSA. Sunrise unlocks the equivalent of ~0.5-1.0 aircraft when flying to London, delivering a significant productivity dividend. U/g to OP (prev N). TP $12.29 (pre $12.00). Outlook is favourable, with strong LCC [low cost carrier] growth and lower oil prices mitigating potential LF [load factor] pressure.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Finally, the team at Bell Potter thinks that this beaten down logistics solutions technology company could be an ASX 200 share to buy.

It recently put a buy rating and $100.00 price target on its shares. This suggests that upside of more than 50% is possible over the next 12 months.

Bell Potter believes that the worst is now behind WiseTech and now could be an opportune time to invest. It said:

WiseTech has also had a large pullback in its share price but this has been more driven by company specific issues like slowing growth in the core business, management and board upheaval and insider trading allegations against CEO and founder Richard White. These issues, however, are starting to subside and focus is returning to the outlook for the core business which is improving with the launch of new products, a new commercial model and the integration of a large acquisition (e2open).

These initiatives are all expected to help drive a much stronger 2HFY26 result relative to 1HFY26 and then the first full year of benefits will be evident in FY27. All of these changes/initiatives are not without risk and there is still some risk of a soft downgrade to revenue guidance in FY26 at the half year result but the 12-month outlook is positive in our view.

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