As we approach the final few days of September, all eyes are on which shares could drive the share market higher next month.
Here's the latest out of Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC), and CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) shares, and what brokers expect for each of the stocks next.
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Brokers rate CSL shares as a BUY
CSL shares rebounded strongly through August and have continued climbing higher in September. Over the past month, the ASX biotech stock has climbed around 6% higher, and it's now also up 6% for the year to date, having regained earlier losses shed in the first quarter of 2026. At the time of writing, the shares are trading at $182.85.
The shares rebounded off the back of a strong FY26 result in August, when the company posted total revenue and NPAT well ahead of guidance. Management described FY26 as a 'reset year', with FY27 marking a return to growth.
This, combined with a sectorwide rotation back into ASX healthcare shares over the past month, has helped reignite investor confidence in the company and its potential for future growth.
The experts are still very optimistic, too. TradingView data shows the majority of analysts (11 out of 19) have a buy/strong buy rating on the shares. But after the latest strong rally, the $182.85 target price is flat, where the shares are trading at the time of writing.
Brokers rate Fortescue shares as a HOLD
Fortescue shares have slumped lower in September, continuing a run of losses shed since early June. At the time of writing, the shares are trading at $16.26, which is about 8% lower than a month ago and roughly 26% lower year to date.
The mining shares have been hit by headwinds from volatile iron ore prices, and conflict in the Middle East has also put downward pressure on the Fortescue share price. Last month, the miner posted a mixed FY26 result, which didn't help reignite confidence either.
Brokers are reserved about where the share price could go next. TradingView data shows the majority of analysts have a hold rating on Fortescue shares. Although, after the latest share price slump, the $17.73 average target price implies the shares could still climb another 9% higher over the next 12 months, at the time of writing.
Brokers rate Westpac shares as a SELL
Westpac shares have had a mixed month. The ASX bank shares have swung between $35.04 and $33.85 throughout September as the market tries to come to terms with the latest inflation data, a weakening property market, and future interest rate increases.
At the time of writing, Westpac shares are trading for $34.92 a piece. They've climbed 1% over the past month but are still down around 10% year to date.
Westpac's third-quarter FY26 update, posted last month, was good on the surface, but investors were spooked by the bank's red flags around weaker mortgage demand. Westpac said mortgage application volumes declined throughout the period as competition intensified and borrowers continued to navigate interest rate uncertainty. It also said it expects mortgage growth to continue to be challenging.
TradingView data shows that the experts are bearish about the outlook for Westpac shares. The majority (nine out of 16) have a sell/strong sell rating on the shares. The average target price of $33.42 implies a downside of around 4% at the time of writing.
