Healthcare shares are 1.8% higher on Thursday as earnings season continues and the ASX 200 sets a new record.
Sector heavyweight Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) is pushing healthcare higher after revealing an 11% profit increase in 1H FY26.
The Sonic Healthcare share price rocketed 14% to an intraday high of $24.14 per share earlier in trading.
Meantime, brokers have reviewed the results of three other sector giants to determine whether they are a buy, hold, or sell.
Let's check them out.
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Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)
The Cochlear share price is $200.14, up 1.15% today and down 28% over the past 12 months.
This ASX 200 healthcare share was smashed on results day and continues to suffer this week.
The Cochlear share price reached a 3-year low of $197.10 today.
Morgans reviewed the hearing implant company's results:
The 1H26 result was softer than expected, with revenue, margins and profit negatively impacted mainly on longer than anticipated contracting for the newly launched Nucleus Nexa system (Nexa).
Soft Cochlear Implants (CI) growth mis-matched sales, reflecting unfavourable emerging market mix and delayed developed market momentum, while Services was flat and Acoustics surprised to downside on increased competitive pressures.
While Nexa adoption accelerated late in the half and management maintained FY26 guidance, but now is targeting the lower end of the range, it increases reliance on a strong 2H recovery which appears optimistic, especially in light of flat GM and FX headwinds.
The broker retained its hold rating but reduced its 12-month share price target on Cochlear to $214.93.
CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)
The CSL share price is $153.62, up 0.57% today and down 42% over 12 months.
Like Cochlear, this ASX 200 healthcare share was beaten up on results day, when the company also revealed its CEO's resignation.
The healthcare sector's largest company fell to a 7-year low of $149.85 per share on Monday.
On The Bull this week, Christopher Watt from Bell Potter Securities put a hold rating on CSL shares.
Watt commented on CSL's results and outlook:
This plasma and vaccines giant reported revenue of $US8.3 billion in the first half of 2026, down 4 per cent on the prior corresponding period.
Underlying net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) of $US1.9 billion, excluding restructuring costs and impairments, was down 7 per cent.
The company has maintained full year guidance, with revenue forecast to increase between 2 per cent and 3 per cent and NPATA between 4 per cent and 7 per cent at constant currency.
CSL trades below its historical price/earnings ratio and peers. Longer term product pipelines remain attractive.
Following the results, Bell Potter cut its price target on CSL from $195 per share to $175 per share.
Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)
The Pro Medicus share price is $127.95, up 4% today and down 57% over 12 months.
The ASX 200 healthcare share sank to a 2-year low of $113.67 on Monday.
Michael Gable from Fairmont Equities has a sell rating on Pro Medicus shares.
Gable commented:
This medical technology business is one we have successfully traded on several occasions during the past few years.
However, since mid-2025, we have stayed away from expensive technology companies, such as PME, due to negative market sentiment.
Pro Medicus reported revenue from ordinary activities of $124.8 million in 1H FY26, an increase of 28.4%.
Underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) lifted 29.7% to $67.3 million.
Despite these increased earnings, Gable said the healthcare share was "severely punished" on results day.
He commented:
Perhaps, the result fell short of market expectations.
The shares have fallen from $330.48 on July 17, 2025 to trade at $132.86 on February 12, 2026.
The shares may fall further if sentiment doesn't improve.
