When two ASX 200 heavyweights like Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN) and Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) put in big runs, it's natural for investors to weigh up which performer could shine brightest from here. Both companies have delivered strong gains in 2026 to date, stand head and shoulders in their respective sectors, and offer solid fundamentals—yet they're very different beasts. Here's my take on how these two stocks stack up right now.

The case for Ansell

Ansell is a global provider of protective gloves and bodywear, primarily serving healthcare and industrial sectors. With extensive patents and a broad suite of established brands, it sells products in over 100 countries. Most of Ansell's revenue, as highlighted in its company profile, comes from its healthcare division, while its industrial segment rounds out the rest. Its footprint is truly international, with a strong focus on North America.

A couple of key fundamentals stand out:

• Market cap: $6.41 billion
• P/E ratio: 21.73
• Year to date return: 31.7% (rounded)
• Ansell pays a dividend, though at 2.12% yield and with no franking, it's on the modest side by ASX standards. The current dividend per share is $1.16. EPS sits at 1.451.

Interestingly, Ansell's dividend history shows a long-term commitment to distributions, but none have been franked in recent years. Its share price has enjoyed a robust surge so far this year, reflecting upbeat sentiment.

The case for Ampol

Ampol is Australia's largest petroleum refiner and distributor, running around 2,000 branded service stations nationwide. Previously known as Caltex, it's now standalone after Chevron's exit. Ampol's business covers the refining, distribution, and retailing of fuel and lubricants. It also operates in New Zealand and owns a stake in a leading Philippines fuel company.

Notable highlights from its latest fundamentals:

• Market cap: $10.37 billion (considerably bigger than Ansell)
• P/E ratio: 7.05
• Year to date return: 43.4% (rounded)
• Ampol pays a substantially higher dividend—with a yield of 5.65% (fully franked, which matters to many local investors). The reported dividend per share is $3.70, while EPS is a solid 6.148.

Ampol's fully franked dividends and sector-leading yield make it a drawcard for income investors, while its massive YTD return shows it's not just a yield play—momentum is strong.

Valuation comparison

There are several stark differences to weigh up. Here's a head-to-head of the main numbers:

It's worth noting the sector context here. Ansell, in healthcare/industrial supplies, tends to have higher valuation multiples than the capital-intensive energy sector Ampol occupies. Still, the P/E gap is gaping.

Ampol's fully franked, high-yield dividends may appeal strongly to investors relying on tax-effective income. In contrast, Ansell's dividends are not franked, which may be less attractive for some.

Recent share price momentum

Comparing recent share price performance up to 14 October 2026:

• As of 14 Oct 2026, Ansell closed at $45.56. Its share price climbed from $42.16 (17 Sep 2026) to $45.56 (14 Oct 2026) — a gain of roughly 8.1% across this period, contributing to a strong year-to-date return of 31.7%.
• As of 14 Oct 2026, Ampol closed at $43.51. It rose from $43.13 (17 Sep 2026) to $43.51 (14 Oct 2026), a far more modest uptick of around 0.9% over the same stretch, but its year-to-date return is an impressive 43.4% — easily outpacing Ansell for 2026 overall.

Which is the better buy?

If I'm picking which outperforming ASX 200 stock looks set to keep on rallying, I'd lean toward Ampol. The numbers really pop: a P/E far below Ansell's, robust EPS, and a hefty, fully franked yield of 5.65%. Its share price has already leapt 43.4% this year—and it's kicking out reliable, tax-effective income at the same time.

Ansell's strong global business and defensive healthcare exposure are commendable and its shares have performed well, but it trades at a much higher multiple, offers a lower yield, and its dividends aren't franked. For investors seeking growth plus income, Ampol's combination of momentum, value, and yield stands out even more.

Of course, sector differences matter—resource-based earnings can be volatile—but right now, based on fundamentals and price action in the data supplied, my pick would be Ampol.

The post Ansell vs Ampol: Which outperforming ASX 200 stock can keep climbing in 2026? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

We're going to look at two picks from the portfolio of WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE) that look like strong ideas today.

WAM Leaders is a listed investment company (LIC) that actively invests in Australian stocks at the larger end of the ASX's market capitalisation list.

Let's look at the two ASX blue-chip shares that WAM Leaders recently highlighted.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)

The fund manager highlighted that last month, the Ramsay Health Care share price rose by 8.6% as investors responded positively to improving momentum in its Australian hospitals business and the progress on the proposed separation of Ramsay Sante, its European operations.

WAM Leaders said that the proposed separation of Ramsay Sante is expected to simplify the group and increase management's focus on the core Australian business.

The investment team said Ramsay's operational improvement initiatives continue to gain traction, supported by growth in activity, improved operating theatre utilisation, and ongoing cost efficiencies.

In September 2026, Ramsay Health Care also completed the acquisition of National Capital Private Hospital and submitted proposals to the Federal Government advocating for broader reform of the private hospital sector.

The investment team maintains a constructive outlook towards Ramsay Health Care as improving operating performance supports further margin recovery and earnings growth.  

Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)

Ansell is the other ASX blue-chip share that WAM Leaders highlighted from the LIC portfolio.

The investment team said that Ansell continued to "re-rate" – the price-earnings (P/E) ratio rose – last month. In September, the Ansell share price rose 11%.

The company has risen significantly since its August FY26 results, which revealed earnings and FY27 guidance ahead of market expectations.

WAM said healthcare was the key driver of this result, underpinned by strong growth in the Cleanroom business, although performance benefited in part from customer stocking and the timing of price increases.

The investment team believe Ansell has managed cost headwinds effectively, including the impact of US tariffs and the Middle East conflict, through disciplined pricing and flexible commercial arrangements.

In terms of the outlook, management remains focused on its core markets, customers, and brands, particularly in the US. WAM thinks this supports the potential for stronger organic growth and further margin improvement.

The ASX blue-chip share's balance sheet also remains in a strong position, according to WAM, providing flexibility for capital management and further investment.

WAM concluded:               

Ansell remains a core holding in the investment portfolio, with its improving business mix, robust cost management and balance sheet capacity expected to support the company's earnings outlook.

The post 2 top ASX blue-chip shares to buy according to experts appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Meanwhile on The Bull this week, two experts share their views on three ASX 200 shares.

Let's take a look.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)

The Xero share price is $59.98, down 2.5% today and down 61% over 12 months. 

Philippe Bui from Medallion Financial Group has a buy rating on this ASX 200 tech share. 

Bui said: 

Operating revenue grew 31 per cent in full year 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period. Adjusted EBITDA rose 18 per cent, demonstrating continuing growth alongside investment in its US expansion.

The Melio acquisition in the US broadens its offering across accounting and payments, creating opportunities to deepen customer relationships.

We believe its recurring revenue model, established accounting network and growing product suite support an attractive long term investment case.

Integration costs and competition remain risks, but we favour buying for sustained international growth.

Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)

The Ansell share price is $45.49, up 0.7% today and up 40% over 12 months. 

Tom Fairchild from Lazarus Capital Partners has a hold rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share. 

Fairchild said: 

Ansell is a global leader in safety solutions, making protective gloves and clothing for industrial and health care customers.

Its premium brands give it genuine pricing power. In full year 2026, price increases fully offset higher US tariffs and Middle East-driven cost pressures without derailing volumes.

Global sales of $US2.14 billion in full year 2026 were up 5 per cent on an organic constant currency basis.

Adjusted earnings per share of $US1.486 were up 18.5 per cent.

With full year 2027 guidance pointing to further growth on top of a strong balance sheet and an ongoing share buy-back, Ansell looks well placed for inflationary times.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

The Wesfarmers share price is $77.27, down 0.1% today and down 13% over 12 months. 

Bui has a sell rating on this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share. 

He explained: 

Wesfarmers owns retail giants Bunnings, Kmart and Officeworks among other businesses. Bunnings and Kmart remain strong businesses. However, we regard the valuation of Wesfarmers as demanding.

Fiscal year 2026 underlying earnings per share increased by 8.3 per cent, while the shares were recently trading around 30 times reported earnings. Consequently, this leaves limited room for potentially weaker consumer spending or execution setbacks.

An earnings decline at Officeworks and the ongoing lithium investment add uncertainty outside the core retailers.

We favour reducing exposure and re-allocating capital to opportunities offering a more attractive balance between valuation and growth.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Xero, Ansell, Wesfarmers shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This sad end to the local trading week for ASX investors comes after a more nuanced night of trading on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a bad mood, losing 0.31% of its value.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to hold its own, rising a slight 0.012%.

Let's get back to ASX shares now and take a closer look at how the various ASX sectors traversed today's tough trading conditions.

Winners and losers

There were only a couple of sectors that held their value this Friday. But first, let's get to the far more numerous red sectors.

Leading said losers this session were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a rough one, tanking by 1.66%.

Consumer discretionary stocks were in the firing line today too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) plunging 1.36%.

Joining them were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) cratered 1.25% today.

Industrial stocks were also on the nose, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.87% dive.

Mining shares had a day to forget as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) suffered a 0.84% swing against it this Friday.

Healthcare stocks didn't live up to their name this session, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) shedding 0.79% of its total.

Communications shares matched that result. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) gave up 0.79% as well.

Gold stocks were no safe haven, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.48% tumble.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended the day down 0.33%.

Even energy shares weren't spared, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) dipping 0.3%.

That's it for the red sectors, though, so let's get to the good stuff.

Leading the winners this Friday were consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was a harbour in the storm, shooting 0.73% higher.

Finally, the other sheltered corner of the market was financial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.27% jump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Defence stock Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) took out this Friday's top index spot. Electro Optic Systems shares surged 5.99% higher today to finish the week at $11.32 each.

This big leap came after the company announced a new procurement for one of its weapons systems.

Here's the rest of today's best:

Enjoy the weekend!

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

By the time trading wrapped up, the index had lost 0.72%, closing at a flat 8,702 points.

This rough day for the ASX followed a similarly bearish session over on the US markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was not in favour, losing 0.68% of its value.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even worse, diving 1.13%.

But let's return to the local markets now and dig a little deeper into what was happening with the different ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Only a handful of sectors came out unscathed in today's trading.

But first, it was gold stocks that were hit the hardest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was smashed, tanking 2.25%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were punished too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) plunging 1.95%.

We could say the same for mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) cratered by 1.46% this session.

Communications stocks weren't popular either, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 1.07% tumble.

Financial shares weren't riding to the rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had 1.07% shaved from its value.

Industrial stocks were our last losers of the day, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) dipping 0.2%.

Turning to the green sectors now, it was energy shares that were treated the most kindly. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw its value surge 1.17% this Thursday.

Consumer staples stocks held their value too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.36% rise.

Utilities shares were also in that ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumped 0.29% today.

Tech stocks were right behind, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) advancing 0.25%.

Healthcare shares tied that result. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) also added 0.125% to its value.

Finally, consumer discretionary stocks managed to stay above water, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.09% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Our Thursday winner was retail stock Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV). Premier shares rocketed 7.08% higher today, finishing up at $11.95 each.

This big move came after the company reported its full-year results, which clearly impressed the market.

Here's how the other top stocks landed their planes:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Among the 11 market sectors, materials and miners are in the lead today, up 1.4%.

The consumer staples sector is the laggard, down 0.88%.

The ASX 200 has slipped into the red for the calendar year to date

However, a major survey shows investors are continuing to add to their portfolio positions.

Meanwhile, brokers have reduced their ratings on several ASX 200 shares this week.

Let's take a look.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

The WiseTech share price is $32.04, up 0.5% today and down 67% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 tech share has fallen 26%.

Rothschild & Co downgraded WiseTech shares to a hold rating on Monday.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $37.

This implies a potential 15% upside ahead.

West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF)

The West African Resources share price is $3.60, up 2.1% today and up 31% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 gold share has risen 4%.

Macquarie downgraded West African Resources shares to a hold rating today.

The broker has a 12-month price target of $4.

This suggests a potential 11% upside ahead.

Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)

The Ansell share price is $42, down 0.4% today and up 26% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 healthcare share has increased 18%.

RBC Capital downgraded Ansell shares to a hold rating on Tuesday.

The broker increased its 12-month price target from $36 to $38.

This implies a potential 10% downside ahead.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

The Harvey Norman share price is $4.14, down 0.7% today and down 43% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share has fallen 11%.

Morgan Stanley downgraded Harvey Norman shares to a sell rating today.

The broker lowered its 12-month price target from $4.50 to $3.90.

This means a potential downside of 6% over the next year. 

Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC)

The Graincorp share price is $6.57, down 0.3% today and down 25% over 12 months.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 consumer staples share has risen 19%.

Macquarie downgraded Graincorp shares to a hold rating this week.

The broker shaved its 12-month price target from $7.10 to $7.

This suggests a potential 7% upside ahead.

The post Downgrade alert! 5 ASX 200 shares downgraded by experts this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is still down 33% over five years and 18% over the past 12 months. Between January 2025 and June 2026, the index lost more than half its value.

Then August happened. The ASX 200 Health Care index surged 13% over a month and now sits 44% above its June low, comfortably beating the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which gained 3% over the same period.

So, have ASX healthcare shares finally turned the corner?

CSL leads the charge

The sector entered August with expectations firmly beaten down. That proved to be a blessing.

Companies largely cleared the low bar, with cost control doing much of the heavy lifting. Healthcare was also the only sector where more companies upgraded their outlooks for the year ahead than downgraded them.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) was the standout. Its shares jumped 40% in August after plasma product sales for the June half came in ahead of expectations.

More importantly, management pointed to improving gross margins at CSL Behring, the plasma business that has caused plenty of headaches in recent years. UBS now believes the worst could be behind CSL ahead of its CEO transition in 2027.

Other healthcare heavyweights also delivered. Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN) jumped 23% after beating expectations, with its FY27 guidance implying double-digit earnings-per-share growth at the midpoint.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) gained 16% after a better-than-expected FY26 result. Its new management team expects further margin expansion in FY27, helped by more predictable private health insurance agreements, better operating theatre utilisation and procurement savings.

The rally wasn't limited to those three names. Eight of the sector's 10 largest ASX healthcare shares finished August higher. Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) climbed 13%, Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) rose 10%, and ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) gained close to 10%.

Can the rebound continue?

This is where things get interesting. August was impressive, but FY27 will be the real test.

Management teams are generally optimistic, yet analysts aren't quite as convinced. According to a recent Macquarie note, consensus FY27 earnings forecasts for the sector were actually cut by more than 2% during August.

There's another problem: valuations have rebounded alongside share prices. The bargain-basement appeal that existed at June's lows has largely disappeared. Investors are now paying more for the turnaround they hope is coming.

The August reporting season suggests CSL and several of its peers may finally be back on firmer ground. But after such a powerful rebound, the easy part may already be over.

Now, ASX healthcare shares need to deliver.

The post CSL led the ASX healthcare shares rebound. Can it continue? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Let's take a look at some new ratings and opinions from the experts.

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.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Medibank Private, Ansell, South32 shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

The Mineral Resources share price is $64.27, down 0.6% today and up 74% over 12 months. 

Bell Potter has a buy rating on this ASX 200 mining share. 

Analyst James Williamson said: 

MIN reported record FY26 underlying EBITDA of $2.6b (BPe $2.5b; VA cons. $2.5b) and underlying NPAT of $822m (BPe $774m; VA consensus $765m). Statutory NPAT was $1.2b (BPe $1.1b; VA cons. $966m) with $393m non-recurring items.

Completion of the US$765m MIN-POSCO lithium transaction will accelerate balance sheet deleveraging paired with strong cash flows from iron ore and lithium operations.

MIN's mining services platform delivers a stable earnings stream that is expected to expand with internal and third-party volume growth.

The company is strongly positioned to execute its next phase of growth, having reinstated dividends.

Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)

The Ansell share price is $40.52, down 0.6% today and up 17% over 12 months. 

Morgans has a hold rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share. 

The broker said: 

FY26 result was strong, with adjusted EPS of US148.6c (+18%) at the top end of guidance, with adjusted EBIT of US$322m (+15% organic cc) above our forecast.

Importantly, 2H adjusted sales growth accelerated to 9.2%, with volumes improving providing some evidence that volume recovery is emerging.

While FY27 EPS guidance of US158-170c (6-14%) looks solid, the majority of gains comes from FX and buybacks rather than operating earnings, with sustainability of Healthcare growth and Industrial margins yet to be proven.

We increase FY27-28 EPS forecasts up to 5.9%, with our DCF/SOTP price target increasing to A$37.85.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The CBA share price is $160.25, up 0.2% today and down 5% over 12 months. 

Remo Greco from Sanlam Private Wealth has a sell rating on this ASX 200 bank share. 

On The Bull this week, Greco said:   

This leading Australian bank posted cash net profit after tax of $10.982 billion in full year 2026, up 7 per cent on the prior corresponding period.

Revenue from ordinary activities of $30.153 billion was up 7 per cent. Investors are concerned about slowing housing credit growth.

Home loan applications fell about 15 per cent since the federal budget in May and the company's full year result in August.

Mortgage competition remains elevated. Investors may want to consider cashing in some gains until a clearer picture emerges about the state of Australia's housing market, the outlook for interest rates and the broader outlook for credit growth moving forward.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Mineral Resources, Ansell, CBA shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to build on this on Monday? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to fall

The Australian share market looks set for a poor start to the week following a subdued session on Wall Street on Friday. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open the day 37 points or 0.4% lower. In the United States, the Dow Jones edged slightly lower, the S&P 500 fell 0.25%, and the Nasdaq dropped 0.5%.

Oil prices ease

It could be a subdued start to the week for ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) after oil prices eased on Friday night. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price was down 0.15% to US$83.40 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price was down 0.45% to US$88.10 a barrel. This was driven by news of some crude flows ​through the Strait of Hormuz.

Buy 4DMedical shares

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) shares could be in the buy zone according to Bell Potter. This morning, in response to the healthcare technology company's results, the broker has retained its speculative buy rating and $6.00 price target. It said: "4DX enters FY27 with good momentum at large hospital groups in the US. We expect on going revenue traction throughout the course of the year. Maintain Buy (Speculative) rating."

Gold price sinks

It looks likely to be a poor start to the week for ASX 200 gold shares Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) after the gold price sank on Friday night. According to CNBC, the gold futures price was down 2.9% to US$4,529.9 an ounce. Traders were selling gold in response to increasing US rate hike bets.

ASX 200 shares going ex-dividend

A number of ASX 200 shares are going ex-dividend this morning and could trade lower. Among them are health and safety products company Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN), mineral sands company Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU), investment management company Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI), and rail freight company Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ). The latter will be paying a 10.5 cents per share dividend to shareholders next month on 23 September.

The post 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here's what's been piquing investor interest.

Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)

At the time of writing, Aussie uranium miner Paladin Energy shares are trading for $12 apiece. That sees this ASX 200 stock up 18.5% since last Friday's close.

Paladin Energy released its FY 2026 results on Wednesday.

Following the successful ramp-up of Paladin's Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM), the miner reported production of 4.82 million pounds of uranium (U₃O₈), which came in at the upper end of guidance.

The company also achieved a 71% year-on-year increase in sales revenue to US$304 million. That was spurred by both higher sales of 4.35 million pounds of uranium and a 7% increase in the realised average price, which came out at US$70 per pound.

Paladin Energy reported a gross profit of US$52 million, up from a gross loss of US$26 million in FY 2025.

The miner still ended the financial year with a net loss after tax of US$9.1 million, though that's a big improvement from the US$77 million net loss reported in FY 2025.

Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)

The second ASX 200 stock shooting the lights out in this week's fairly stagnant market is fashion jewellery retailer Lovisa.

Currently trading for $26.38, Lovisa shares are up 14.2% for the week.

Most of those gains were delivered on Wednesday as investors pored over Lovisa's FY 2026 results release.

Highlights included a 17.6% year-on-year increase in revenue to $939 million. And earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) were up 14.1% to $158 million.

On the bottom line, Lovisa achieved a net profit after tax (NPAT) of $95.6 million, up 10.7% from FY 2025.

The company delivered a full-year dividend of 86 cents per share, 50% franked. That is up 11.7% from last year's dividend payouts.

Which brings us to…

ASX 200 stock Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)

At the time of writing, shares in ASX 200 stock Ansell are up 15.8% from the week, changing hands for $40.40 apiece.

The ASX health and safety products company got a big boost on Monday after reporting its own FY 2026 earnings results.

Investors reacted positively to Ansell's record sales of US$2.14 billion, up 6.8% from FY 2025. Earnings grew strongly too, with Ansell reporting adjusted EBIT of US$322 million, up 14.1%.

And on the bottom line, the company reported a 15.8% year-on-year increase in adjusted NPAT to US$212 million.

Over the full year, Ansell paid 68.1 US cents per share in dividends, up 35.7% from the prior year's passive income payouts.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks, including Paladin Energy, storming higher on earnings results this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Hundreds of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) companies have announced their next dividends this month.

We're helping you keep track of ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday.

Here are the ASX shares going ex-dividend next week.

We've listed the dividend amounts investors will receive and when they'll receive them.

In order to receive a dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

The post 37 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After yesterday's rise kicked off the trading week on a positive note, investors built on that momentum today. The ASX 200 opened higher this morning and stayed in green territory all day, closing with a gain of 0.68%. That leaves the index at 9,164.6 points.

This terrific Tuesday for the local markets came after a mixed start to the American trading week on Wall Street overnight.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in an accommodating mood, rising 0.26%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) had a more Garfield-esque Monday, closing 0.76% lower.

Let's get back to the ASX now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared this session.

Winners and losers

Today's market rises were near-universal, with only two sectors missing out.

The first, and worst, of those sectors was energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) gave up an early lead to finish down 0.78% today.

The other red sector was real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sinking 0.16%.

Let's get to the happier sectors now. Leading the charge were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a blowout, rocketing up 2.25%.

Consumer staples stocks ran hot as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 2.11% surge.

Healthcare stocks were also popular. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) soared 1.4% higher this Tuesday.

Financial shares joined the party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) shooting up 0.94%.

Consumer discretionary stocks were also at the festivities. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) galloped up 0.91% today.

Next came utilities shares, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.59% jump.

Industrial stocks were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) added 0.58% to its total this session.

Communications shares had a day to remember as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) advancing 0.4%.

Gold stocks didn't miss out. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) enjoyed a 0.34% lift today.

Finally, mining shares managed to find buyers, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.3% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Defence company Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) was our top performer this Tuesday. Electro Optic shares exploded 23.02% higher today to close at $10.58 each.

This astonishing showing followed the company's latest earnings, which were obviously a delight for the market.

Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After a sour trading week last week, investors seem to have come back from the weekend with a little extra pep in the proverbial step, with the ASX 200 opening higher and staying in positive territory all day today. By the time the markets closed, the index had gained 0.49% to 9,103.1 points.

This happy start to the week's trading for the ASX followed a similarly buzzy end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in very fine form indeed, rising 0.98%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as bubbly, but still gained 0.43%.

But let's return to this week and our local markets now for a closer look at what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors this session.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's rise this Monday, a few sectors still missed out on gains.

Leading those losers were consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was left out in the cold today, shrinking 0.95%.

Financial stocks also had a rough one, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) sinking 0.72%.

Utilities shares were shunned, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slid 0.48% lower this session.

Our last losers were communications stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.44% slip.

Turning to the green sectors now, it was mining shares that fronted the winners. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) roared 2.43% higher this Monday.

Gold stocks ran hot as well, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring up 1.71%.

Tech shares also had a day to remember. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) enjoyed a 0.96% surge.

Healthcare stocks were in demand as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.62% lift.

Energy shares were next. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) jumped 0.47% today.

Then came real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) adding 0.12% to its total.

Industrial stocks managed a win. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) put on another 0.1% this session.

Finally, consumer discretionary shares got over the line, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.09% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Beating out some stiff competition to take out top spot on the index this Monday was tech stock Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL). Data#3 shares rocketed 17.85% higher today to finish at $11.09 each.

This huge gain followed the company releasing its latest earnings, which clearly had a lot going for them.

Here's the rest of today's best:

Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Ansell report?

• Sales: US$2,140.2 million, up 6.8%; organic constant currency growth of 5.0%
• Adjusted EBIT: US$321.9 million, up 14.1%
• Adjusted NPAT: US$212.3 million, up 15.8%
• Adjusted EPS: US148.6¢, up 17.8%
• Operating cash flow: US$270.1 million, up 156.3%
• Full year dividend: US68.1¢ per share, up 35.7%; final dividend US41.5¢

What else do investors need to know?

Ansell continued its $200 million on-market share buyback, completing $118.4 million in FY26 and planning to continue the buyback in FY27. The company reported strong cash generation, boosting liquidity with $752 million of cash and undrawn facilities and reducing net debt to 1.3 times adjusted EBITDA.

Industrial and Healthcare divisions both saw higher sales and earnings. The Industrial segment benefited from mechanical glove innovation and recovery in major markets, while Healthcare sales were supported by cleanroom and surgical product demand.

Ansell navigated challenging tariff and supply issues, offsetting US tariffs and Middle East supply disruptions through sourcing moves and price rises. The Accelerated Productivity Investment Program (APIP) also hit its recurring $50 million annual savings target.

What did Ansell management say?

Ansell's CEO, Nathalie Ahlström, commented:

FY26 was a successful year for our company, with strong sales and earnings growth achieved against a backdrop of significant market challenges. Our ability to deliver on our performance commitments while navigating these challenges – including taking the necessary actions to offset the effects of higher tariffs in the US and the Middle East crisis – speaks to the strength of our customer relationships, the significant customer value of our safety solutions, and the resilience of our supply chain.

My initial months as CEO have shown me that Ansell is a company with strong foundations, and our FY26 financial results are a testament to this. My focus as we move forward will be to accelerate profitable growth and improve our customer centricity, through a program of commercial excellence to drive enhanced customer value, prioritising growth in strategic markets with the most profitable growth potential, and a series of operational excellence initiatives that will simplify our product and brand portfolios, our supply chain and our ways of working.

I am proud of the results we have achieved in FY26 and excited about the opportunity in front of us. My thanks go to the over 15,000 Ansell employees who helped deliver our strong performance in FY26 and warmly welcomed me into our company. I look forward to what we can achieve together in FY27 and beyond.

What's next for Ansell?

Looking ahead to FY27, Ansell is targeting adjusted EPS of US158¢ to US170¢, backed by expected constant currency sales growth from stronger volumes and recent pricing actions. The company aims to drive profitable expansion in key markets, with ongoing investment in commercial and operational excellence.

Key priorities include further productivity gains through IT upgrades, continuing the buyback program, and supporting higher dividends in line with ongoing strong cash generation. Management remains agile to adjust for tariff and geopolitical risks as conditions evolve.

Ansell share price snapshot

The Ansel share price has slightly underperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) over the past 12 months with a modest 1% gain.

View Original Announcement

The post Ansell FY26 earnings: Sales and profit surge boost outlook appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) lifted 0.28% amid a US-Iran interim peace deal and oil prices dropping to pre-war levels.

The ASX 200 finished the week at 8,828.7 points.

It's potentially significant that healthcare was out in front last week given the sector's poor performance over the past 12 months.

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) is down 39% over 12 months and down 25% in the calendar year to date.

The healthcare index hit a 9-year low of 21,947.2 points on 3 June.

Samy Sriram, a market analyst at online investment platform, Stake, says healthcare companies have had many headwinds.

They include currency challenges for those reporting in US dollars; three interest rate rises in Australia; cost of living pressures; higher shipping costs; new caps on insurance payouts in some nations; higher labour costs; and regulatory uncertainty in the US.

However, markets are cyclical. At some point in a downturn, share prices fall to levels that offer too much value to ignore, and investors dive back in.

Does 3 June represent that pivot point?

ASX 200 healthcare shares have increased 13% since 3 June compared to just a 0.49% bump for the broader benchmark index.

Let's review some individual company performances last week.

Healthcare shares led the ASX sectors last week

The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price ascended 8.19% to close at $116.32 on Friday.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares rose 4.55% to $2.76 apiece.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) shares dropped 2.17% to $31.53.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) shares lifted 5.37% to $172.80.

Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD) shares fell 3.75% to $26.68.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) shares eased 0.74% to $20.05.

The Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) share price lifted 1.73% to $39.49.

The Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) share price shot 13.87% higher to $118.14.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) shares increased 6.62% to $14.50.

The Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN) share price rose 2.46% to $29.99.

The EBOS Group Ltd ASX: EBO) share price fell 3.87% to $16.91.

Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) shares ripped 9.23% to $2.13 apiece.

Megastar ASX 200 healthcare share, 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX), rocketed 23.37% to $4.54.

4DMedical shares are up 1,716% over 12 months.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

The post Healthcare shares led the ASX 200 last week. Is a sector comeback underway? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The US and Iran launched missile strikes against each other in the Strait of Hormuz overnight as the US tried to restore shipping.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) raised interest rates for a third consecutive time to 4.35% today due to rising inflation.

In a statement, the RBA said:

Inflation picked up materially in the second half of 2025, and information since the beginning of this year confirms that some of this increase reflected greater capacity pressures.

In addition, the conflict in the Middle East has resulted in sharply higher fuel and related commodity prices, which are already adding to inflation.

There are early signs that many firms experiencing cost pressures are looking to increase prices of their goods and services.

The Brent crude oil price hit a four-year high earlier today as the market becomes increasingly pessimistic that the war will end soon.

Economists are warning that oil shocks have a long-tail economic impact, and the RBA appears acutely aware of the upside risk to CPI.

Today, four of the 11 market sectors finished in the red, with energy in the lead, up 0.89%, while financials lagged, down 0.5%.

Scores of ASX 200 shares hit fresh 52-week lows today.

They included former market darling CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) and retail stalwart Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares.

Let's take a look.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price hit a 9-year low of $122.48 today.

The ASX 200 healthcare giant has lost half its value over the past 12 months.

Company issues have compounded the impact of a broader ASX 200 healthcare sector rout due to many global headwinds.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

The Wesfarmers share price reached a 52-week low of $71.31 today.

The market's largest ASX 200 consumer discretionary share is down 9% over 12 months.

Consumer sentiment is crumbling in Australia today.

Last month, the consumer sentiment index recorded its biggest fall since the beginning of the pandemic five years ago.

Amcor Ltd (ASX: AMC)

The Amcor share price hit a 12-year low of $51.42 today, and is down 28% over 12 months.

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

The Endeavour share price fell to a record low of $3.13 today, and is down 22% over 12 months.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

The Harvey Norman share price hit a 52-week low of $4.39 today.

Stock in the ASX 200 furniture retailer has tumbled 15% over 12 months.

Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)

The Ansell share price dropped to a 2-year low of $25.35 today, and is down 18% over 12 months.

Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL)

The Super Retail share price hit a 3-year low of $11.47 on Tuesday, and is down 12% over 12 months.

Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)

Austal shares fell to a 52-week low of $4.01 today.

The ASX 200 industrial share has fallen 21% over 12 months.

ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB)

The ARB Corporation share price hit a 52-week low of $17.89 today, and is down 43% over 12 months.

Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK)

The Nick Scali share price hit a 52-week low of $14.03, and has cooled 18% over 12 months.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

The Temple & Webster share price hit a 2-and-a-half-year low of $5.29 today.

This ASX 200 retail share has lost 69% of its market capitalisation in 12 months.

Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

The Inghams share price descended to a 52-week low of $1.71 today.

The ASX 200 consumer staples share has fallen 51% over 12 months.

Centuria Office REIT (ASX: COF)

Centuria shares dipped to a 52-week low of 92 cents today.

The ASX 200 real estate investment trust (REIT) has decreased 26% over 12 months.

Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1)

Accent shares hit a 13-year low of 51 cents, and are down 72% over 12 months.

Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH)

The Adairs share price hit a 52-week low of $1.25, and is down 51% over 12 months.

The post CSL and Wesfarmers among scores of ASX shares hitting fresh 52-week lows appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This makes healthcare the worst performer of the 11 market sectors over the past 12 months.

It's even worse than technology, which is down 26% on fears that artificial intelligence (AI) is an existential threat to the sector.

However, while technology is turning around, healthcare remains in the doldrums.

The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) hit a six-year low of 25,193 points today.

What's going on?

Expert explains multiple headwinds hitting healthcare

Samy Sriram, a market analyst at online investment platform, Stake, says there are multiple reasons for healthcare's downward spiral.

First of all, there are currency headwinds and the likelihood of further interest rate rises in Australia.

Sriram said:

A weaker US dollar is eroding the offshore profits of giants like CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), which accounts for 45% of the index.

At the same time, the RBA's decision to keep interest rates high to fight inflation is weighing heavily on the valuations of growth stocks like Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME).

The Australian dollar is currently at a four-year high of 71.3 US cents, up 12% over 12 months.

Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank has already raised interest rates twice this year, and the market is pricing in a 76% chance of another hike next Tuesday.

Cost-of-living pressures force patients to compromise

Sriram also says cost-of-living pressures are impacting healthcare companies, not only in Australia, but also overseas.

She commented:

… persistent cost of living pressures in the US are alarmingly turning some medical procedures into optional expenses.

We've seen this with Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH), an Australian company that manufactures and supplies hearing aids.

Their shares tumbled 35% due to patients deferring implants.

Last week, Cochlear downgraded its FY26 earnings guidance substantially.

The company now expects an FY26 underlying net profit of $290 million to $300 million, down from $435 million to $460 million.

Management commented:

Consumer sentiment has declined in key markets, reaching historic lows in the US.

The decline appears to be affecting discretionary healthcare decisions in the adults and seniors segment, adding to demand uncertainty in the near term.  

In Australia, consumer sentiment experienced its biggest fall in five years this month.

Iran war's impact on healthcare

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned of a global recession as the fuel crisis drags on, with no end to the war in sight.

A recession would further erode consumer confidence due to inevitable job losses.

For now, Sriram said the war in Iran was hitting healthcare through higher shipping costs.

She commented:

With hospital operators like Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) already being squeezed by rising staff wages and capped insurance payouts, geopolitical volatility is putting extra strain on the books, despite having a turnaround in 2026.

(Ramsay Health Care shares hit an 18-month high of $44.73 in March. The ASX 200 healthcare share is up 21% over six months.)

Cochlear also discussed shipping issues and capped insurance payouts last week.

Cochlear said it expects "order cancellations and a heightened risk of delivery delays to some countries" due to instability in the Middle East, and that lower reimbursements to patients in China "will lower premium tier sales in China in the second half".

FDA uncertainty under Trump

Biotech investors are also growing wary of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Trump administration.

Leadership upheaval at the FDA, along with conflicting signals on approval standards across different categories of foods and medicines, has created uncertainty over how, and whether, new drugs and products will reach the market.

Earlier this month, a rare diseases advocacy group wrote to President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing reduced flexibility at the FDA and a large proportion of biotech firms reporting difficulty raising funding.

Meanwhile, Secretary Kennedy has openly promoted vaccine scepticism and disputed scientific claims amid a global trend in fewer people seeking vaccinations, possibly as a reaction to mandatory programs and COVID-vaccine injuries during the pandemic.

At CSL's 2025 AGM, former CSL CEO Dr Paul McKenzie commented: "… we have seen a greater decline in influenza vaccination rates in the U.S. than we expected."

Last week, The Australian reported that the US military has now scrapped its annual flu shot requirement for service members.

Foolish Takeaway

All of these factors are hitting the healthcare sector hard, and sending many ASX 200 healthcare shares to multi-year low prices.

Here's how the top 10 ASX 200 healthcare shares by market capitalisation have performed over the past 12 months.

The post What's making healthcare the worst sector on the ASX 200, down 39% in a year? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The Australian share market has seen widespread selling across most sectors and weak investor sentiment. The ASX 200 is also reacting to a mixed start in US sharemarkets this week.

The softer market has also seen some ASX 200 shares fall to fresh 52-week lows.

Here are four of them.

Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH)

Fisher & Paykel shares are down another 0.24% this morning to a new 52-week low of $29.18 a piece. The slump means the respiratory designer and manufacturer's share price is now 10% lower year to date and 9% lower than this time last year. There hasn't been any price-sensitive news out of the company recently to explain the decline, so it's most likely the result of a continued sector-wide sell-off of ASX healthcare shares. TradingView data suggests brokers are still bullish for the ASX 200 company's shares, with the majority holding a buy or strong buy rating on the stock. Brokers tip an average 20% upside to $34.86 over the next 12 months.

Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN)

Ansell is another ASX 200 healthcare company that makes gloves and other personal protection equipment. Its shares have also been caught up in the widespread ASX healthcare sell-off. At the time of writing, Ansell shares are down 1.06% to $26.24 a piece, marking a 22-month low. Again, brokers are bullish about the outlook for the ASX 200 company's shares. Out of 12 analysts, seven have a hold rating and 5 rate the shares a buy or strong buy. Brokers tip an average 34% upside to $35.18 over the next 12 months. Some think the shares can rocket even further. The maximum $40.45 target price implies a potential 54% upside at the time of writing.

Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN)

Harvey Norman shares have hit a fresh 52-week low of $4.47 in Tuesday morning trade. The share price has now crashed 36% for the year to date after the sell-off accelerated in late February. The ASX 200 retail giant has faced strong headwinds over the past year on the back of renewed concerns about rising inflation and how it could impact consumer spending. Tighter household budgets mean Australians are spending less on discretionary items this year. At the same time, after a strong rally in mid-late 2025, it looks like investors quickly took their profits off the table in early 2026. TradingView data shows that analysts are relatively divided about the outlook for the shares, with several neutral ratings, but they mostly agree that the shares are now trading below fair value. The average target price on the ASX 200 retail shares is $5.76, which implies another 29% upside at the time of writing. 

Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS)

Metcash shares have tumbled another 1.42% in morning trade to a new 52-week low of $2.78 a piece. It also represents the lowest point the shares have fallen to in nearly six years. The IGA network owner's shares have come under pressure following an underwhelming FY26 half-year result in December last year. It continues to face headwinds amid a tough retail environment and dwindling demand in its tobacco and liquor businesses. Analysts are mostly neutral on the outlook for the shares, but they do all agree that there will be some level of upside ahead. The average target price of $3.44 implies a potential 23% upside over the next 12 months, at the time of writing. 

The post These 4 ASX 200 shares have slumped to fresh 52-week lows: Buy, sell or hold? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

ASX All Ords shares have risen 1.7% over the week as more companies revealed strong earnings results and dividends.

Next week, a large group of ASX shares go ex-dividend. We provide a sample of these stocks below.

To pick up a dividend payment, you must own the share before the ex-dividend date.

ASX shares about to go ex-dividend

Here are 16 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week.

Which companies are reporting next week?

According to the calendar, we will hear from Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH), Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), and Nib Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF) on Monday.

On Tuesday, ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB), Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), and Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) are up.

On Wednesday, we'll get reports from Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP), Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP), and Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG).

Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW), Wisetech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC), and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) will also report on Wednesday.

On Thursday, Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR), Monash IVF Group Ltd (ASX: MVF), and Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) will release their earnings.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC), Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL), and Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) will also be in the spotlight.

On Friday, we'll see reports from Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR), and TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG).

The post 16 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.