Buy, hold, sell: Challenger, APA Group, Mesoblast shares

Experts reveal their insights on these stocks in the finance, utilities, and healthcare sectors.

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are down 0.3% to 9,052.1 points on Tuesday.

Among the 11 market sectors, energy is in the lead, up 1.7%, while consumer discretionary is the laggard, down 2.5%.

Let's check out some new ratings on ASX shares today.

Couple on their laptop in their home kitchen.

Image source: Getty Images

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)

The Mesoblast share price is $2.30, down 2.8% today and up 14% over 12 months. 

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX healthcare share following its FY26 results.

Analyst John Hester said: 

(All US$m) Revenues $120.2m and loss at the EBIT line -$49.9m were in line with our forecast. Ryoncil sales of $115m were at the mid-point of the guidance range.

Operating expenses $153m were dominated by R&D expense ($97m), driven by the investment in label expansion for Ryoncil and the ongoing Phase 3 trial for Rexlemestrocel in chronic lower back (CLBP).

Loss at NPAT $57.4m with net cash burn for the year -$43.8m inclusive of just -$13m in 2H26.

MSB has a long pipeline and label expansions for Ryoncil alone which we expect will come to market on a 3 to 5 year time horizon.

Pivotal moments in the short term include the interim readout on adult GvHD and the pending submission of the BLA for Rexlemestrocel in HF.

Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)

The Challenger share price is steady at $9.45 today, and up 14% over 12 months. 

Jonathan Tacadena from MPC Markets has a hold rating on this ASX 200 financial share

Tacadena said (courtesy The Bull): 

Australia's largest annuities provider delivered a strong result in full year 2026. Statutory net profit after tax of $506 million was up 163 per cent. Annuity sales of $6.2 billion were up 19 per cent. It delivered a normalised return on equity of 11.6 per cent.

The full year ordinary dividend of 31.5 cents, fully franked, was up 7 per cent. The share buy-back was upsized to $450 million.

The shares have performed strongly since March. Hold for the buy-back and yield, and perhaps consider adding on any weakness.

APA Group Ltd (ASX: APA)

The APA share price is $10.82, down 0.6% today and up 22% over 12 months. 

Morgans has a sell rating on this ASX 200 utilities share. 

Analyst Damien Nguyen said: 

This energy infrastructure business provides investors with stable, regulated cash flows and a defensive earnings profile.

Total revenue was down 6.3 per cent in full year 2026, but profit after tax was up 81.4 per cent.

Balance sheet leverage is significant, in our view, and funding costs can be a challenging headwind.

The market is concerned about the shift away from gas may create uncertainty about future demand in the longer term.

Although APA is pursuing energy transition opportunities, we believe these are unlikely to materially improve earnings in the near term.

We believe investors can find better risk-adjusted opportunities elsewhere.

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Challenger. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Broker Notes

A woman wearing a flowing red dress, poses dramatically on a beach with the sea in the background.
Broker Notes

3 ASX shares tipped by broker to rise 70% to 120%

Morgans predicts these ASX shares will rip over the next 12 months.

Read more »

A middle-aged lady screws her face up into a wince as though imaging an uncomfortable or awkward scenario.
Broker Notes

5 ASX shares downgraded by Morgans post-results

But that doesn't mean sell!

Read more »

A bland looking man in a brown suit opens his jacket to reveal a red and gold superhero dollar symbol on his chest.
Broker Notes

2 ASX fintechs to buy for 60% to 70% returns

These junior financial companies could deliver significant upside.

Read more »

A woman has a quizzical look on her face as though she is deciding something in the foreground of a backdrop featuring five stars, like the Australian five star energy rating system.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Mineral Resources, Ansell, CBA shares

Let's check out some new ratings for these ASX 200 shares.

Read more »

Two work colleagues looking at a laptop and discussing something.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Boss Energy, Magellan, and NextDC shares

Morgans has given its verdict on these shares following earnings season.

Read more »

A business person directs a pointed finger upwards on a rising arrow on a bar graph.
Broker Notes

Up 75%! Why this rocketing ASX All Ords stock is forecast to deliver more outsized gains

A top broker forecasts more outperformance from this soaring ASX stock. But why?

Read more »

Hand stacking increasing piles of rocks.
Broker Notes

5 ASX 200 shares with 33% to 61% upside post-results: experts

As earnings season comes to a close, here are the new 12-month price targets from the experts.

Read more »

Two scientists analysing results on a computer screen.
Broker Notes

Up 88%! Why CSL shares remain an 'appealing' buy today

A top analyst forecasts more outperformance from CSL’s surging shares.

Read more »