S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares rose 2.77% and produced total returns, including dividends, of 7% in FY26.
Here, we take a look at how one expert currently views three of the giants of the index at the start of FY27 (courtesy The Bull).
Are they a buy, hold, or sell?
Image source: Getty Images
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)
The BHP share price skyrocketed 62% to close out FY26 at $59.40.
Blake Halligan from Catapult Wealth has a buy rating on this ASX 200 mining share.
He said:
The global miner holds dominant positions in iron ore and copper and is leveraged to increasing demand during the energy transition.
A review of the Jansen stage 2 potash project in Canada resulted in a cost blowout of about $US2 billion to $US6.9 billion.
Despite the Jansen impairment and the risk of industrial action at iron ore operations in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, near term earnings momentum remains strong.
Elevated copper prices and strong iron ore prices supported performance in full year 2026.
The balance sheet remains robust with low net debt, while a recent dividend yield above 3 per cent adds income appeal.
BHP offers cyclical upside and long term growth exposure to copper.
The copper price rose by 18% in FY26, and iron ore lifted 7%.
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)
The Woodside share price increased 19% over FY26 to finish the financial year at $28.21.
Halligan has a hold rating on this ASX 200 energy share, and commented:
Woodside Energy is a major Australian LNG producer with a portfolio of global gas projects.
The company is increasing its stake in the Browse joint venture to 41.27 per cent via a $US225 million deal, reinforcing its strategy to extend the life of the North West Shelf.
This adds long term upside along with the Scarborough project, which is 94 per cent completed.
However, regulatory uncertainty, rising costs and policy risks in Australia temper the outlook.
While growth options are significant, execution and approvals risk support a balanced hold stance at current valuation levels.
Oil prices slumped to pre-war levels shortly after the US and Iran agreed to an interim peace deal last month.
PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)
PLS Group shares soared 275% to close out FY26 at $5.02.
Halligan explained his sell rating on the ASX 200 lithium share:
PLS Group is a leading Australian lithium producer focused on spodumene concentrate.
Over the past three months, sentiment has been driven by a sharp rebound in spot spodumene prices and improving earnings expectations.
Stronger spodumene prices are triggering global supply re-starts and expansions.
The company's valuation already reflects elevated prices amid supply growth potentially adding pressure on margins.
Lithium spodumene was at the top of the list of best-performing commodities of FY26 by a long way.
The lithium spodumene price rose about 280%, and carbonate soared 160%.
