When you are aiming to outperform the market, it can be just as important to know which ASX shares to avoid as it is to know which ones to own.
After all, if you own shares that are likely to fall in value, your portfolio returns could suffer.
With that in mind, let's look at three ASX shares that analysts have named as sells this week, courtesy of The Bull. Here's what they are bearish on:
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CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)
The team at Peak Asset Management has named CSL shares as a sell this week.
Peak believes its sell rating is justified given CSL's recent outlook downgrade and the ongoing challenges that it faces. It explains:
A sell rating is justified as this biotechnology giant has materially downgraded its fiscal year 2026 outlook while announcing about $5 billion of additional non-cash pre-tax impairments across fiscal years 2026 and 2027. Revenue expectations have been reduced due to US immunoglobulin channel normalisation and weaker albumin prices in China. The CSL Vifor acquisition has under-performed. Also, government healthcare cost pressures and a higher interest rate environment present ongoing challenges for the biotechnology sector, further weighing on sentiment.
Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST)
Baker Young thinks that gold mining giant Northern Star could be an ASX 200 share to sell this week.
Although there is optimism around the emergence of an activist investor, Baker Young is more focused on the underperformance of Northern Star's operations and thinks investors should look elsewhere in the sector. It said:
The emergence of prominent US based activist investor Elliott Investment Management has prompted optimism surrounding the gold miner. However, in our view, it doesn't alter the underperformance of NST's asset base involving production volumes, costs and capital expenditure requirements. A new management team will likely rebase expectations. But we would seek alternative gold exposure for those still playing the theme. The shares have fallen from $31.73 on March 2 to trade at $21.44 on June 18.
Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)
Bell Potter remains bearish on Westpac shares and has named the big four bank as a sell this week.
While the business is improving, this is happening at the same time that the operating backdrop is weakening. In addition, the broker sees potential for an earnings downgrade in the near term. It said:
The business is improving on the metrics that matter, but the operating backdrop is weakening. Mortgage applications since the Federal Budget in May are below the prior two quarters, pointing to a slowdown in housing credit growth into next year. Proposed tax changes to capital gains tax and negative gearing have soured sentiment, and there's no fresh financial guidance to lean on. With Westpac's stock trading near the top of its range amid a possible earnings downgrade, I see more downside than upside from here.
