The team at Morgans has been running the rule over a number of popular ASX shares again this week.
Let's see if it rates these as buys, holds, or sells. Here's what you need to know:
Image source: Getty Images
Objective Corporation Ltd (ASX: OCL)
Morgans remains positive on this software provider despite the loss of a major government contract.
It notes that the company's shares have been hammered and are now at a five-year low. In response, the broker has retained its buy rating on Objective Corp's shares with a reduced price target of $11.50. It commented:
OCL's largest and longest standing customer, the Australian Department of Defence, has elected not to renew its Upgrade and Support (USP) agreement for Objective ECM, a relationship that has been in place for over 25 years. Whilst OCL expects no impacts to earnings in FY26, the group has flagged that the impact from the loss in revenue will see FY26 ARR end the period "in line with FY25" on a constant currency basis (i.e. ~A$120m Pre FY26 FX headwinds). Rebasing our forecasts for OCL's revised FY26 ARR, our NPAT estimates reduce by ~22-23% in FY27-28F. Whilst this is a disappointing and unexpected update, post our revisions OCL is trading on FY27F P/E of 21x, with a share price at 5-years lows. We therefore reiterate our Buy rating with a revised PT of $11.50/sh.
ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD)
Morgans also highlights that ResMed shares have de-rated materially this year. This is despite the market continuing to expect strong earnings growth from the sleep disorder treatment company.
While there are risks, Morgans remains bullish and has put a buy rating and $41.72 price target on its shares. It said:
RMD has de-rated to ~16x forward earnings, its lowest valuation since the post-GFC period, despite consensus continuing to forecast double-digit EPS growth. GLP-1 therapies, positive Phase III data from Apnimed's oral OSA therapy, the prospect of Philips re-entering the US PAP market from 2027 and broader healthcare sector de-rating, have driven recent share price weakness. While these risks are real, current industry data and RMD's operating performance provide limited evidence of a material deterioration in underlying demand. We make no changes to FY26-28 forecasts or our A$41.72 target price. BUY.
South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)
Finally, this mining giant has been downgraded by Morgans following news that it is selling its aluminium business for US$5.6 billion.
The broker has cut its recommendation to hold with a trimmed price target of $4.50. It explains:
S32 has agreed to sell its entire ali business for total consideration of US$5.6bn (US$4.1bn upfront), and transfer of US$1.2bn closure/rehab liabilities. Our view on S32's aluminium sale is genuinely mixed. It leaves S32 a simpler and, in important respects, a better business, but also a smaller and less valuable one. Total value of up to ~US$6.8bn, which sits at a discount to consensus/Morgans valuations of US$8.8-9.2bn. We reduce our valuation on S32's ali assets to in line with the agreed Alcoa deal, and shift our valuation methodology to a blended NAV:EBITDA valuation of A$4.50 (from A$5.00). As a result we update our rating to HOLD (from Accumulate).
