Here are the latest growth forecasts for the CSL share price

Can this giant produce healthy returns or is there more downside to come?

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price has suffered heavily within the last two years. As the below chart shows, the ASX biotech share giant has now dropped by around two-thirds since August 2024.

It has been the worst-performing ASX blue-chip by far in that period and it just keeps falling.

The business may become oversold if it keeps declining, creating a rebound opportunity for contrarian investors.

Have we already reached that oversold level? I don't have a crystal ball to refer to, but we can look at what analysts think of the CSL share price and whether it's undervalued.

Male doctor in a lab coat working at laptop looking serious.

Image source: Getty Images

CSL share price target

A price target tells investors where an analyst thinks the share price will be in 12 months after the investment rating. Of course, price targets are just analyst estimates, not guarantees of where they think the ASX biotech share will be in a year from now.

According to CMC Invest, of 11 recent expert ratings on the business, four of them are buy ratings and seven of them are hold ratings, with no sell ratings.

The average price target of those 11 analysts is $140.84 – that suggests a possible rise of 41% over the next year, which I'm sure would be a market-beating return if that came true.

The most optimistic price target is $194.90, implying a possible doubling from where it is over the next year.

However, the lowest price target for the business is $99.95. That price target implies the business may be trading at the same valuation as it is now in a year.

Let's quickly remind ourselves what the latest update was from the business.

More disappointing news

Earlier in May, the business changed its guidance for FY26 revenue to be around $15.2 billion and underlying net profit (NPATA) to be around $3.1 billion.

It outlined three areas that have had a combined impact of $650 million on revenue, including $500 million from US immunoglobulin and albumin in China.

CSL also said it expects to recognise approximately $5 billion of pre-tax impairments across FY26 and FY27, on top of what was already announced in the FY26 half-year result. Those new impairments include CSL Vifor intangible assets including the product portfolio. The impairments also include under-utilised property, plant and equipment.

In other words, despite all the bad news, the business has experienced further downgrades in confidence, which doesn't bode well for the foreseeable future.

However, in terms of the CSL share price, the average analyst now thinks the business has been oversold. We'll see if the market agrees, as time goes on.

There could be better ASX share opportunities out there with less uncertainty.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 CSL. 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.

More on Healthcare Shares

A woman leans forward with her hand behind her ear, as if trying to hear information.
Healthcare Shares

Why everyone selling Cochlear shares right now could regret it in 3 years

Cochlear shares are down 65%. Here's why investors selling up right now could look back and wish they'd done the…

Read more »

A doctor or medical expert in COVID protection adjusts her glasses, indicating growth or strong share price movement in ASX medical, biotech and health companies
Healthcare Shares

Here's what brokers tip for CSL shares over the next 12 months

The beaten-down biotech company's shares are still falling.

Read more »

three excited doctors with hands in the air
Healthcare Shares

Pro Medicus announces $16m US contract renewal

Pro Medicus secures a major US contract renewal, strengthening its US footprint and underlining continued client retention.

Read more »

Doctor sees virtual images of the patient's x-rays on a blue background.
Healthcare Shares

How much higher could Pro Medicus shares go? 2 brokers weigh in

New contract wins and a positive take on AI are tailwinds for this company.

Read more »

A bored man sits at his desk, flat after seeing the latest news on the share market.
Healthcare Shares

Why did CSL shares crash 22% in May?

Things went from bad to worse for this fallen giant last month.

Read more »

A man stands in front of a chart with an arrow going down and slaps his forehead in frustration.
Healthcare Shares

Why is this ASX share crashing 97% today?

It isn't often that a share falls by this amount in a single session.

Read more »

A group of people in a corporate setting do a collective high five.
Healthcare Shares

3 ASX 200 healthcare shares to buy while they're on sale

The ASX 200 Health Care Index is the worst-performing sector for 2026 so far.

Read more »

Doctor checking patient's spine x-ray image.
Healthcare Shares

Why AI is making Pro Medicus shares a once-in-a-generation buy

Pro Medicus shares are down on AI fears. Here's why AI is actually making the company a once-in-a-generation buy opportunity.

Read more »