S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are 0.7% lower at 8,943.5 points on Tuesday.
Let's take a look at some new ratings and opinions from the experts.
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Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL)
The Medibank Private share price is $4.61, down 1.2% today and down 8% over 12 months.
Ord Minnett has a buy rating on this ASX 200 financial share.
In a new note, the broker said:
FY26 revenue and earnings from Medibank (MPL) were in-line with expectations, as was the outlook. However, the lack of policyholder growth in the second-half (2H26) was slightly disappointing.
The net number of policyholders grew by 1.1% in the year, with Medibank policyholders up 0.6% and ahm up 2.4%, while non-resident policy units fell 2.3%. In the second-half (2H26), policyholder growth slowed to 0.2%, with the slowdown blamed on cost-of-living pressures, increased switching by customers, and rising competition in the June quarter as some competitors adopted aggressive growth tactics.
Importantly, claims inflation appears relatively benign. Claims growth per policy unit was up 40 bp to 2.6%, at the low end of guidance for 2.6–2.9%. We are comfortable that the 5.1% premium increase achieved by MPL recently can cover claims inflation for FY27.
We keep the Buy recommendation viewing MPL as a relatively defensive option for the next 12 months, with circa 5-10% annual EPS growth on our forecasts.
Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)
The Ansell share price is $41.74, down 0.2% today and up 22% over 12 months.
Mark Elzayed from Vestra Capital has a hold rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share.
Elzayed said (courtesy The Bull):
Ansell makes personal protection equipment for health care and industrial workplaces. It posted global sales of $US2.14 billion in full year year 2026, up 5 per cent on an organic constant currency basis.
Adjusted earnings per share of $US1.486 were up 18.5 per cent, while operating cash flow more than doubled to $US270.1 million.
Ansell remains a defensive compounder with strong cash generation and improving margins, making it a reliable hold for investors seeking income and stability rather than aggressive earnings growth.
South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)
The South32 share price is $5.13, down 0.2% today and up 94% over 12 months.
Blake Halligan from Gray Perry Wealth Advisers has a sell rating on this ASX 200 mining share.
Halligan said:
Stronger commodity prices amid announcing the sale of its aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa for up to $US5.6 billion contributed to an increasing share price.
Revenue rose 1 per cent in fiscal year 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period. Underlying EBITDA grew 28 per cent.
The stock has risen from $2.64 on September 5, 2025 to trade at $5.20 on September 3, 2026.
Given the big share price increase, commodity price volatility, global uncertainty and execution risk on major projects, investors may want to consider cashing in some gains at this stage of the cycle.
