S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.8% to 8,770.6 points on Friday.
Let's take a look at some new buy, hold, and sell calls from the experts.
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Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB)
The Aussie Broadband share price is $4.62, up 2.4% today and up 10% over 12 months.
Aussie Broadband was the No. 1 stock for share price growth within the communications sector in FY26, up 26%.
Ord Minnett kept its buy rating on this ASX 200 telco share after reviewing the latest NBN Wholesale Market Indicators Report.
In a new note, the broker said:
The recent release by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) of the NBN Wholesale Market Indicators Report for the March quarter highlights ongoing market-share gains for Aussie Broadband (ABB), particularly in the higher-speed tiers and customers utilising fibre to the premise (FTTP) technology.
Sector discounting around the end of financial year has been aggressive, and Aussie Broadband participated in this competitive dynamic.
We see low earnings risk into the FY26 result, however, given the recent guidance provided for operating earnings (EBITDA) and capital expenditure.
Ord Minnett trimmed its 12-month share price target to $6.30, implying a potential 36% upside from here.
James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)
The James Hardie Industries share price is $36.78, down 0.6% today and down 12% over 12 months.
After reviewing the building materials supplier's 1Q FY27 report, Morgans upgraded James Hardie shares to a hold rating.
Morgans said:
JHX has delivered a strong set of results for 1QFY27, beating consensus (and MorgansF) EBITDA forecasts by c.9% at the mid-point and prior guidance by c.10%.
The outperformance was largely attributed to execution and above-market growth, rather than an improving US housing market.
The result sets our baseline expectations higher, whilst we expect the business to follow the traditional earnings seasonality (bigger Jun/Mar quarters).
This result is better than expected. Higher growth in FY27 reduces the heavy lifting required in FY28 to achieve consensus' US$1.45/sh EPS forecast.
The broker has a 12-month target of $40, implying a potential upside of 9% in FY27.
Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)
The Macquarie share price is $255.14, up 0.6% today and up 19% over 12 months.
Morgans kept its hold rating on this ASX 200 bank share following the AGM, 1Q FY27 update, and news of the CEO's retirement.
The broker said:
Overall, MQG pointed to "satisfactory" trading conditions in 1Q27, while Greg Ward – currently Head of BFS – will replace the retiring Shemara Wikramanayake as CEO.
We lift our MQG FY27F/FY28F EPS by 1%-3% on slightly stronger CGM earnings forecasts.
MQG is a quality franchise and a proven performer, but with <10% upside to our target price, we maintain our Hold call.
Morgans increased its 12-month share price target from $248 to $255.
This suggests Macquarie shares are already fully valued.
