S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.2% on Monday as the world waits for further news on a potential US-Iran deal.
Meanwhile, on The Bull, three experts give us their views on three ASX 200 shares.
Let's check them out.
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BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)
The BHP share price is $62.72, up 0.7% on Monday, after matching its record high of $62.89 in earlier trading.
John Athanasiou from Red Leaf Securities has a buy rating on BHP shares.
Athanasiou explains:
Iron ore sales continue to drive earnings, but the key long term story is copper, where demand is structurally supported by electrification, grid investment and artificial intelligence related infrastructure.
Consequently, it gradually shifts BHP from a traditional cyclical miner towards a more diversified industrial metals compounder.
Cash generation remains strong, supporting consistent dividends and capital management. The balance sheet is conservative, allowing flexibility through the cycle.
While iron ore is still exposed to Chinese demand volatility, BHP's scale and low cost positioning provide downside protection.
PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)
The PLS Group share price is $6.65, up 2.9%, after also matching its record high of $6.67 today.
Lithium commodity prices are recovering after a dramatic two-year decline that finally ended in mid-2025.
The lithium carbonate price, for example, is up 50% in 2026 alone.
For now, Dylan Evans from Catapult Wealth gives this ASX 200 lithium share a hold rating.
Evans comments:
PLS has a solid balance sheet. Revenue of $624 million in the first half of 2026 was up 47 per cent on the prior corresponding period.
Driving growth is a combination of increasing demand for lithium and near term supply constraints. Demand is fuelled by growing battery and electric vehicle adoption, which has been boosted by the conflict in Iran and crude oil disruptions.
The strong balance sheet and free cash flow should enable PLS to fund its expansion plans.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)
CBA shares are $162.89 apiece, down 1.3% on Monday, and down 5.9% over the past month.
Philippe Bui from Medallion Financial Group has a sell rating on Australia's biggest bank stock.
Bui said:
Australia's largest bank carries a premium valuation. Slowing credit growth, sticky inflation and proposed property tax changes are headwinds for this mortgage heavy business.
Sentiment took a material hit recently when the stock posted its largest single-day decline of about 10 per cent since listing in 1991 following a disappointing trading update.
Earnings momentum is fading and the valuation is still trading at a significant premium to peers.
