Buy, hold, sell: Xero, Woolworths, CBA shares

Here's what the experts think of these sector giants.

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S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares closed at 8,953.3 points on Monday, up 0.07%.

On The Bull this week, three experts provide their assessment of three sector giants in their respective market sectors.  

Here's what they think of these ASX 200 large-cap shares in the technology, consumer staples, and finance sectors.

Two brokers pointing and analysing a share price.

Image source: Getty Images

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price closed at $82.15 yesterday, up 0.21% for the day and down 46% over the past 12 months.

Xero has been caught up in the prolonged tech sector sell-off between August 2025 and March this year.

And it was big.

The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lost 48% of its value between 29 August 29 and 30 March.

Investors sold their tech stocks on fears that artificial intelligence (AI) may do lasting damage to many companies.

The Xero share price fell 56.5% between 29 August and 30 March.

However, things appear to be turning around.

ASX 200 tech shares stormed 13% higher last week, with Xero shares soaring almost 15%.

Christopher Watt from Bell Potter says Xero is a high quality business that he expects to deliver sustained double-digit earnings growth.

Watt explains his buy rating on Xero shares:

We believe concerns related to the impact of artificial intelligence are overblown, and the share price sell-off presents a compelling buying opportunity.

Watt says Xero is experiencing strong subscriber growth and increasing average revenue per user through its product expansion.

Xero continues to improve operating leverage as the business scales up globally, with margins expected to expand in response to cost discipline.

Importantly, Xero is transitioning from a growth-at-all-costs model to one focused on profitability and cash generation, which should support a re-rating in valuation.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

The Woolworths share price rose 1.9% to $37.49 yesterday.

The ASX 200 consumer staples giant has risen 40% over six months.

John Athanasiou from Red Leaf Securities has a hold rating on Woolworths shares.

He explains:

Australia's largest supermarket operator offers stable defensive earnings and a strong balance sheet.

However, margin pressure from cost inflation and competitive discounting limits growth prospects.

WOW is a reliable long term holding, but lacks significant upside catalysts in the absence of operational improvements or digital expansion initiatives.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price rose 1.1% to $180.15 on Monday.

CBA shares experienced a dramatic drop last year after hitting a record high of $192 in June.

They've been fighting back this year, rising 12% in the year to date.

Dylan Evans from Catapult Wealth thinks CBA shares are overvalued.

Evans has a sell rating on the ASX 200 bank stock, explaining:

CBA is a high quality company, with a strong management team and consistent track record.

However, in our view, the bank was recently trading on a lofty price-earnings ratio well above its long term average and that of its competitors. This multiple expansion has driven much of CBA's share price outperformance in the past five years.

However, the company's high multiple is supported by only single digit growth and a recent modest dividend yield below 3 per cent on April 16.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group and Xero. 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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