Well, to narrow things down, let's see what analysts are saying about the popular shares listed below.

Are they buys, holds, or sells? Here's what they are recommending:

James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX)

Morgans is feeling more positive about this building products company following the release of its investor day update.

In response, the broker has upgraded James Hardie shares to an accumulate rating with a trimmed price target of $43.00. It said:

JHX held its combined James Hardie and AZEK Investor Day in New York on 15 September 2026. The day centred on the "built to outperform, resilient by design" tagline, as management guided to 4% to 7% organic sale growth above market, while stressing the growth did not require a US housing recovery to work. 

The growth is meant to come from the AZEK combination, synergies running ahead of plan, and a leaner, lower-capex portfolio after the Europe sale. The positive company story and the growth trajectory are only partially offset by the tough macro, a 75bps rise in the 30-year mortgage rate over the past six months, and a peer multiple de-rate. On this basis we upgrade to an Accumulate rating, whilst moderating our target price to A$43.00 (from A$45.00).

Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS)

Another ASX share that Morgans is positive on is gold miner Ramelius Resources.

It is feeling upbeat on its outlook and has put a buy rating and $4.74 price target on its shares. It commented:

RMS is expected to release FY27 guidance and an updated outlook to FY30 in Sep-26, following execution of the EPC contract for the Mt Magnet mill expansion, providing greater clarity on project costs and timing. Following an analyst change, we retain our BUY recommendation with a revised price target of A$4.74 per share.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

Finally, Bell Potter remains bearish on this property listings company and has named its shares as a sell this week with a $148.00 price target.

The broker has concerns that listings volumes could fall well short of consensus estimates due to it operating in a challenging environment at present. Bell Potter explains:

We retain our Sell recommendation. Despite REA's ability to generate strong results in challenged operating environments, we continue to see significant downside risk to listings volumes/earnings vs. company guidance and consensus and await further data points via lending volumes and market listings before re-considering our thesis.

The post Buy, hold, sell: James Hardie, REA Group, and Ramelius shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to rise

The Australian share market looks set for another good session on Friday following a strong night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open 54 points or 0.6% higher this morning. On Wall Street, the Dow Jones was up 0.6%, the S&P 500 rose 1.15%, and the Nasdaq jumped 1.7%.

Oil prices fall

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a poor finish to the week after oil prices fell overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is down 1.15% to US$101.26 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is down 1.55% to US$104.19 a barrel. This reflects more crude oil being brought to market.

Sell REA shares

The REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) share price could be overvalued according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, the broker has retained its sell rating on the property listings company's shares with an improved price target of $148.00. It said: "We retain our Sell recommendation. Despite REA's ability to generate strong results in challenged operating environments, we continue to see significant downside risk to listings volumes/earnings vs. company guidance and consensus and await further data points via lending volumes and market listings before re-considering our thesis."

Gold price softens

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a subdued finish to the week after the gold price edged lower overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.15% to US$4,380.8 an ounce. The precious metal has come under pressure this week after US interest rates were increased.

James Hardie shares upgraded

Morgans was pleased with the investor update from James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX) this week. In response, the broker has upgraded the building materials company's shares to an accumulate rating with a $43.00 price target. It said: "…management guided to 4% to 7% organic sale growth above market, while stressing the growth did not require a US housing recovery to work. The growth is meant to come from the AZEK combination, synergies running ahead of plan, and a leaner, lower-capex portfolio after the Europe sale."

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

Both James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX) and Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) received a new accumulate rating from the broker. 

These two ASX 200 stocks have moved in opposite directions in 2026. 

James Hardie Industries shares have risen by over 21% year-to-date, while Lottery Corporation has fallen almost 7%. 

However both have upside moving forward according to the team at Morgans. 

Here is the latest outlook. 

James Hardie

James Hardie is the world's leading producer and marketer of fibre cement building products and a major supplier of fibre gypsum and cement-bonded boards. 

The ASX 200 company held its combined James Hardie and AZEK Investor Day in New York on 15 September 2026. 

The day centred on the "built to outperform, resilient by design" tagline, as management guided to 4% to 7% organic sales growth above market, while stressing that this growth did not require a US housing recovery. 

Morgans said growth will come from the AZEK combination, synergies ahead of plan, and a leaner, lower-capex portfolio after the Europe sale. 

The positive company story and the growth trajectory are only partially offset by the tough macro, a 75bps rise in the 30-year mortgage rate over the past six months, and a peer multiple de-rate. On this basis we upgrade to an Accumulate rating, whilst moderating our target price to A$43.00 (from A$45.00).

From current levels, this updated price target indicates an upside potential of 20%. 

Lottery Corporation

This ASX 200 company is Australia's largest provider of lottery, Keno, and instant scratch products.

The team at Morgans has updated its forecasts on the company given domestic lottery conditions have not improved since the FY26 result. 

We have marked our lottery tracker to market and now have tracked turnover running high single digits behind the prior comparative period. We cut FY27/28F Lotteries revenue by 2-3% and Lotteries EBITDA by 3-4%, with EPS down 6%/4%. 

The change is a lower jackpot assumption, partly offset by a lower jackpot share of turnover, as base games and three price increases carry more of the mix.

The broker has upgraded its target price to $5.40 (previously $5.60). 

From current levels, this indicates an upside potential of over 15%. 

Following the September bond issue, our FY27 interest costs remain broadly unchanged with FY28 lifted nominally. At c.16.5x 12-month forward EV/EBITDA and a 3.3% fully franked yield, we think a poor sequence is in the price, and see upside from here if conditions improve.

The post 2 ASX 200 stocks that Morgans just upgraded appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Let's review. 

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

The CSL share price is $177.29, up 1.7% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 healthcare share has ripped 32%.

RBC Capital upgraded CSL shares to a buy rating on Tuesday.

The broker raised its 12-month price target substantially from $148 to $213.

This implies a potential 20% upside ahead.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

The NAB share price is $38.91, up 2.3% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 bank share has fallen 1%.

Citi upgraded NAB shares to a buy rating yesterday.

The broker increased its 12-month price target from $40 to $42.10.

This suggests a potential 8% upside ahead.

Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC)

The Lottery Corporation share price is $4.86, up 0.7% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 consumer discretionary share has fallen 9%.

Morgans upgraded Lottery Corporation shares to a buy call today.

The broker reduced its 12-month price target from $5.60 to $5.40.

This implies a potential 11% upside ahead.

Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC)

The Ramsay Health Care share price is $55.06, up 0.4% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 healthcare share has risen 23%.

RBC Capital upgraded Ramsay Health Care shares to a buy call this week.

The broker increased its 12-month price target significantly from $52 to $68.

This indicates potential capital gains of 23% over the next year. 

Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)

The Challenger share price is $10.09, down 1.9% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 financial share has increased 4%.

UBS upgraded Challenger shares to a buy rating with a $11.50 price target.

This suggests a potential 14% upside ahead.

James Hardie Industries Plc (ASX: JHX)

The James Hardie share price is $37.38, up 0.2% today.

Over the past month, this ASX 200 materials share has fallen 15%.

Morgans upgraded James Hardie shares to an accumulate rating yesterday.

The broker shaved its 12-month price target from $45 to $43.

This suggests potential capital growth of 15% over the next year. 

Morgans said:

The positive company story and the growth trajectory are only partially offset by the tough macro, a 75bps rise in the 30-year mortgage rate over the past six months, and a peer multiple de-rate.

On this basis we upgrade to an Accumulate rating, whilst moderating our target price to A$43.00 (from A$45.00).

The post 6 ASX 200 shares boosted by brokers this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The James Hardie share price is up 0.29% to $37.41 in late morning trade, but that barely dents its recent losses.

The stock has fallen almost 15% over the past month and more than 8% in a week, although it is still up around 21% in 2026.

Wednesday was particularly rough, with the shares dropping 5.23% after the company held its 2026 Investor Day.

Management reckons the company can keep growing strongly even if the US housing market stays weak.

But can it actually pull that off?

The US market remains difficult

The backdrop in the United States is still pretty tough.

US homebuilder sentiment fell to a 12-month low in September, while the average 30-year mortgage rate recently hit 6.76%.

Existing home sales also dropped 2% in August to an annualised rate of 3.98 million, the lowest level in 14 months.

That's not exactly ideal when North America is still the biggest part of James Hardie's business.

But management isn't banking on cheaper mortgages or a housing rebound to drive growth.

At its Investor Day, James Hardie said it is targeting organic growth of 4% to 7% above the market over the longer term.

And the company reckons it can get there even if housing conditions stay weak.

Growth is still holding up

James Hardie's first-quarter numbers suggest the plan is already starting to show through.

Q1 FY27 revenue rose 64% to US$1.48 billion, while pro-forma sales increased 12%.

North American fibre cement sales also grew 20% organically during the quarter, even with US housing still struggling.

That's probably the number I'd be paying closest attention to from here.

If James Hardie can keep growing ahead of the housing market, it takes some of the pressure off waiting for a full recovery.

Can it keep this going?

The next few results should give investors a better idea of whether James Hardie can keep this up.

So far, the early signs are encouraging.

At $37.41, the shares are well below their August high of $44.12, despite the business still moving in the right direction.

If James Hardie can keep growing ahead of the wider housing market, I think investors could start looking at the stock a little differently.

And if US housing eventually improves as well, that would give the company another reason to keep growing.

The post James Hardie says it doesn't need a US housing recovery. Can it prove it? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the shares are changing hands at $37 a piece.

Despite the tumble, the shares are still up around 20% year to date and 24% higher than a year ago.

The decline comes off the back of the company's Investor Day presentation, which was posted to the ASX ahead of the market open this morning.

What did James Hardie announce?

The cement manufacturer said it is seeing consistent demand for its products and is executing well in the areas it can control.

As a result, management is able to reaffirm the company's second quarter and FY27 sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance (excluding Europe), and raise its FY27 free cash flow guidance to more than US$600 million, up from US$500 million+ previously. This is despite a continued challenging macro backdrop.

The company also revealed that it is targeting annual organic growth of 4% to 7% above market, with compounding earnings. 

Elsewhere, James Hardie said that it is accelerating the integration with AZEK, achieving faster-than-expected cost synergy targets. It now expects to complete the US$125 million cost synergy target a full year ahead of schedule, while revenue synergies are progressing as planned.

James Hardie is also pressing ahead with the divestment of its European operations for about US$980 million. The proceeds of which are already earmarked to pay down debt and fund share buybacks.

The announcement looks good on paper, so why are investors selling up?

What is spooking investors today?

The James Hardie share price had rallied strongly through June to August, reaching a 52-week high of $44.12 early last month. So it's likely that investor expectations were already incredibly high. 

Investors may also have been disappointed that management reaffirmed its FY27 sales and adjusted EBITDA guidance rather than increasing it. 

It's also possible that there is still some uncertainty about how quickly cost and revenue synergies from the AZEK acquisition can translate into earnings and cash flow.

What's ahead for the James Hardie share price?

I expect we might see analysts and brokers revise or reaffirm their outlook for James Hardie shares in the coming days, following this morning's announcement.

But at the time of writing, sentiment looks mostly very positive.

Market Index data shows brokers are currently split between a buy and hold rating. But the $39.20 average target price implies around a 5% upside, at the time of writing.

Analysts on TradingView are much more bullish. Of 25 analysts, 19 have a buy/strong buy rating, and another 6 rate the stock as a hold. 

But they all agree there will be some element of upside ahead. At the time of writing, the average $47.59 target price implies a potential 28% upside ahead. Whereas some are even more confident and forecast the shares to climb 50% higher to $56.05 each.

The post Down 6% today: What's going on with the James Hardie share price? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did James Hardie report?

• Targets annual organic growth of 4% to 7% above market, with compounding earnings
• Expects to deliver US$125 million in cost synergies one year ahead of schedule
• US$500 million in revenue synergies from the AZEK integration remain on track
• Raised FY27 free cash flow target; reaffirmed FY27 net sales and Adjusted EBITDA guidance (excluding Europe)
• Commits to capital allocation priorities, aiming to reduce net leverage to below 2.0x by Q2 FY28

What else do investors need to know?

James Hardie is accelerating the integration with AZEK, achieving faster-than-expected cost synergy targets. The company expects to complete the US$125 million cost synergy target a full year ahead of schedule, while revenue synergies are progressing as planned.

The company is pressing ahead with the divestment of its European operations for about US$980 million. Proceeds are earmarked to pay down debt and fund share buybacks, which should support balance sheet strength and shareholder returns.

What did James Hardie management say?

Chief Executive Officer Aaron Erter said:

We are also introducing our financial growth algorithm that outlines the building blocks to deliver 4% to 7% growth above market. This will be driven by a $23 billion material conversion opportunity, self-help growth initiatives, and $500 million in anticipated revenue synergies – all without underwriting a housing recovery.

What's next for James Hardie?

James Hardie reaffirmed its FY27 sales and Adjusted EBITDA targets and lifted its free cash flow outlook, signalling confidence despite broader macroeconomic challenges. The company is prioritising organic growth, disciplined capital allocation—including debt reduction—and further bolt-on acquisitions.

Management's focus on compounding earnings and a robust North American growth strategy puts James Hardie on a path to deliver above-market returns, supported by structural drivers in the repair, remodel and new-build markets.

James Hardie share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, James Hardie shares have risen 31%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has declined 2% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post James Hardie lifts guidance and details long-term growth at 2026 Investor Day appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Here are some new ratings from the experts this week.

Echo IQ Ltd (ASX: EIQ)

The Echo IQ share price is steady at 49 cents today, and up 73% over 12 months. 

Morgans has a buy rating on this ASX tech share with a 12-month price target of $1.10.

The broker said: 

EIQ has received a Not Substantially Equivalent (NSE) determination on its initial EchoSolv HF 510(k), despite an extensively validated dataset generated in line with FDA guidance. The device cannot be marketed under this application as submitted, pushing back the biggest near-term catalyst and revenue driver. Decision is a setback, but the timing points to a fixable problem.

The determination landed day 264 of the FDA's 270-day clock, leaving the agency no scope to seek further information and forcing a decision on what it had. Management confirms a single outstanding statistical point, not a safety or clinical issue, and says the letter invites resubmission.

We read this as a file closed on expiry rather than a technology rejected, and the 510(k) route stays open.

In any case, the regulatory and timing risks have increased, reflected in a valuation cut to A$1.10.

Warrants the negative market reaction but ultimately view the validity of the tool as intact, this reads as a setback in how the data was presented and assessed, not a failure of the underlying technology itself.

James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX)

The James Hardie share price is $39.58, up 1.2% today and up 31% over 12 months. 

James Bills from Shaw and Partners has a hold rating on this ASX 200 materials share. 

He said (courtesy The Bull): 

James Hardie remains a global leader in fibre cement building products and continues to benefit from strong brand recognition and market share gains, particularly in North America.

The company has delivered solid long term earnings growth through product innovation and operational efficiency.

However, housing activity remains sensitive to interest rate movements and broader economic conditions, creating some uncertainty around demand in the near term. Given its strong fundamentals and balanced valuation, a hold recommendation remains appropriate.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

The Woolworths share price is $39, up 0.6% today and up 39% over 12 months. 

Bills has a sell rating on this ASX 200 consumer staples share. 

He explained: 

The supermarket group has experienced a strong recovery in the past year, with the share price recently trading near the upper end of its historical range.

While the company remains high quality with a leading position in Australian food retailing, much of the recent improvement appears to be reflected in the WOW share price.

Earnings growth is expected to remain relatively steady rather than exceptional, limiting scope for further share price appreciation from current levels.

Following the recent rally, investors may consider taking profits before re-allocating capital to opportunities with stronger growth potential and a more attractive risk-reward profile.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Echo IQ, James Hardie, Woolworths shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Experts at Wilson Asset Management manage the listed investment company (LIC) WAM Leaders Ltd (ASX: WLE), which aims to actively invest in larger ASX-listed businesses.

In other words, the investment team is willing to make investments and sales based on whether they think valuations are attractive.

WAM Leaders named James Hardie as one of its most compelling holdings right now.

What's so appealing about the ASX 200 blue-chip stock?

The company describes itself as an industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fibre cement, fibre gypsum, and composite and PVC decking and railing products.

It's a global business, with a presence in North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand.

However, the company recently announced plans to sell its European operations, including the sale of Fermacell to Holcim for €840 million (or US$980 million).

The ASX 200 blue-chip share explained that proceeds will be used to "accelerate deleveraging and return capital to shareholders."

James Hardie also said it intends to close its European fibre cement business, subject to customary legal, regulatory and employee (including competent works council) consultation requirements.

WAM noted that James Hardie Industries delivered a solid first quarter FY27 result.

The investment team said that the ASX 200 blue-chip share's core North American fibre cement business returned to volume growth supported by continued market share gains. This contributed to an upgrade of the company's full-year guidance.

The company guided that FY27 total net sales could be $5.564 billion to $5.723 billion, adjusted operating profit (EBITDA) is expected to be between $1.536 billion and $1.625 billion and free cash flow is expected to be at least $500 million.

What do the experts like about James Hardie shares?

WAM also said that the announcement of the divestment of the European operations during August allows the company to "sharpen its focus on its core growth markets while further deleveraging its balance sheet."

The fund manager said that James Hardie Industries remains a core holding in the WAM Leaders investment portfolio, with the ASX 200 blue-chip share continuing to deliver above market growth through strong execution of cost and commercial synergies and ongoing market share gains, despite a subdued US housing market.

James Hardie shares could be one to watch, along with other potential opportunities.

The post Experts reckon this high-flying ASX 200 blue-chip stock is a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

At the time of writing, the building products stock is up 1.15% to $40.38, while the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is flat at 8,983 points.

It has already been a strong year for shareholders, with James Hardie shares up around 30% since the start of 2026.

The stock traded above $43 in August before giving back some ground over the past few weeks.

So, is there still some upside left?

Why Morgan Stanley is bullish

Morgan Stanley appears to think so.

According to The Australian, analyst Joseph Michael has James Hardie among the broker's top Australian industrial picks following reporting season.

He believes the company can keep growing faster than the broader market, helped by the AZEK acquisition, cost savings, and stronger cash flow.

Morgan Stanley estimates James Hardie could deliver around 19% more earnings than current market expectations by 2029.

And yes, that's a pretty bullish call, particularly while the US housing market remains soft.

The latest result also gave investors some reasons to be positive. First-quarter FY27 sales jumped 64% to US$1.47 billion, while adjusted EBITDA rose 79% to US$422 million.

On a pro-forma basis, which includes AZEK in the comparison period, sales still increased 12%.

Management also lifted its FY27 outlook and now expects pro-forma adjusted EBITDA growth of 7.4% to 13.7%.

Cash flow is heading higher

The balance sheet has been one of the key concerns since the AZEK acquisition.

But there were some encouraging signs in the last quarter.

Free cash flow more than doubled to US$254 million, and the company is still targeting at least US$500 million across FY27.

The planned $840 million Euro sale of Fermacell should also give the balance sheet a boost. Around US$600 million of the proceeds is expected to go towards paying down debt, which should help bring net leverage below 2 times.

James Hardie also announced a US$250 million share buyback alongside the sale.

Would I buy at $40?

I still like the look of James Hardie shares at these levels.

The stock has already had a strong run this year, so I would not expect another easy 30% gain from here.

In addition, broker sentiment is also positive. TipRanks shows 7 buy ratings and 4 holds, with an average price target of $44.84.

That's around 11% above the current share price.

And if the company keeps delivering on its growth plans, I think there could be more upside over the longer term.

The post This ASX 200 stock is up 30% in 2026. Here's why I'd still buy it appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

If I had $20,000 ready to invest today, I would put it behind three businesses I think have plenty of room to grow over the years ahead.

Here's what I would buy.

Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)

Pro Medicus would probably receive the largest portion of my money.

Its Visage software is already used by some of the largest healthcare systems in the US, yet the company estimates it still has only around 11% of that market.

I think that is a powerful combination. Pro Medicus has proved its technology can handle the demands of major hospital networks, while most of the potential US market remains available.

The opportunity is also expanding beyond radiology. Cardiology and enterprise imaging could allow Visage to handle more of the medical images produced across a healthcare organisation. Artificial intelligence may create further opportunities as hospitals look for faster and better ways to work with growing volumes of imaging data.

Over a long timeframe, I think Pro Medicus can win many more customers while becoming increasingly valuable to those it already serves.

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

James Hardie gives me exposure to a very different type of long-term opportunity.

This ASX share is best known for fibre cement building products, particularly in North America, where its products are used across housing construction and renovation.

What interests me is the amount of existing housing that will need to be repaired, renovated, or upgraded over the coming decades.

Homeowners do not need a housing boom for that spending to happen. Ageing properties eventually need work, and James Hardie's products can benefit when owners replace siding or invest in improving their homes.

The company's acquisition of AZEK also expands its presence across outdoor living products such as decking and railing. I think that gives James Hardie more ways to participate when homeowners spend money improving the outside of their properties.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

My final investment would go into Sigma Healthcare.

Following its merger with Chemist Warehouse, investors now have exposure to one of Australia's best-known pharmacy and retail businesses.

I think the next stage of the story could increasingly happen overseas. Chemist Warehouse already has a growing presence in New Zealand and has started testing the UK market. If its value-focused retail model travels successfully, the addressable opportunity becomes far larger than Australia alone.

There is still room to grow domestically through stores, online sales, pharmacy services, and the wider distribution business.

I think Sigma now has several avenues to become a much larger healthcare and retail company over time.

Foolish takeaway

With $20,000 to invest this spring, I would be comfortable putting the entire amount to work across these three ASX shares.

Most importantly, I would be buying with several years in mind and giving each business time to pursue the opportunities already in front of it.

The post Where I'd invest $20,000 in ASX shares this spring appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Materials and mining stocks rose by a modest 2.5% over the week, according to CommSec data.

Meanwhile, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) closed out the week up 0.37% to 9,092.3 points on Friday.

Only four sectors finished in the green last week.

Let's review.

ASX materials and mining shares led the market

As earnings season continued last week, several ASX mining shares reached new record highs.

Among them was BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), which reset its historical high at $68.77 per share on Wednesday.

BHP is not only the largest miner on the market, it's also the most valuable company of the entire ASX 200.

The BHP share price finished the week 3.28% higher at $67.30 per share.

The Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price increased 1.8% to $18.07.

Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) shares lifted 1.52% to $178.04.

Diversified ASX 200 miner, Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN), fell 1.25% to $65.46 per share.

The South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) share price leapt 7.36% to $5.25 on Friday.

Pure-play ASX copper share Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) surged 7.81% to $23.34 per share.

ASX gold share Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) ascended 3.38% to $24.78.

Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM) shares rose 1.64% to $182.80.

The Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) share price closed at $15.67, up 2.08%.

ASX 200 lithium stock PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) jumped 5.72% to $5.36 per share.

The IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) share price rose 2.63% to $8.58.

Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) shares edged 0.31% higher to $16.26.

Among the non-mining ASX 200 materials shares, BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) rose 1.48% to $30.86.

The James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) share price fell 3.31% to $41.42.

Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI) shares decreased 0.81% to $21.98.

Several mining shares are among 37 companies going ex-dividend next week.

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 ASX 200 mining shares outperform in final week of earnings season appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Two of the big name ASX shares are outpacing the 0.2% losses posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in late morning trade on Friday, while one is charging higher.

Here's what's grabbing investor interest.

James Hardie shares lift on $1.4 billion asset sale

James Hardie shares are in the green today, up 0.6% at $43.05 apiece.

Investors are responding positively after the ASX 200 building materials company announced that it is divesting its European operations.

The company will sell its Fermacell business to Holcim for €840 million (AU$1.38 billion). James Hardie also intends to close its European fibre cement operations.

The ASX 200 stock will use the proceeds to pay down some $600 million in debt as well as funding a new $250 million share buyback. The company expects the deal to close in the first half of calendar 2027.

Commenting on the sale helping lift James Hardie shares today, CEO Aaron Erter said:

We believe this divestiture will strengthen our balance sheet, deliver compelling value for our shareholders and position the Fermacell business for long-term success under Holcim's ownership.

Guzman Y Gomez shares jump on earnings surge

Like James Hardie shares, Guzman Y Gomez shares are outperforming today.

And strongly.

At the time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 Mexican fast-food restaurant chain are up 8%, changing hands for $25.89 each.

This follows the release of Guzman Y Gomez's full-year FY 2026 results.

Investors look to be supporting the stock, with GYG now having completed its painful exit from its US operations and eying growth in its core Aussie markets.

While GYG achieved a statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) increase of 31.6% from FY 2025 to $40.6 million, the company reported a statutory group NPAT loss of $26.7 million due to its US exit.

In other core financial metrics, Guzman Y Gomez shares are likely attracting attention, with the company reporting a 28.7% year-on-year increase in underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) to $85 million.

Management also announced an additional $100 million share buyback.

Which brings us to…

Pro Medicus shares slide despite new contract win

Joining Guzman Y Gomez and James Hardie shares in turning heads today, we find Pro Medicus.

At the time of writing, shares in the ASX 200 health imaging company are down 3.1%, trading for $199.71 apiece.

Pro Medicus shares are sliding despite the company announcing a new $25 million, seven-year contract with United States-based healthcare provider Valley Health. The contract covers the full range of Pro Medicus' cloud-based medical imaging solutions.

The post Why Guzman Y Gomez, Pro Medicus and James Hardie shares are turning heads on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The deal is expected to speed up debt reduction and support the return of capital to shareholders, with a new $250 million share repurchase program also unveiled.

What did James Hardie report?

• Firm has agreed to sell its European sustainable walling and flooring business Fermacell to Holcim for €840 million in cash.
• Proceeds will be used to repay about $600 million in debt and to fund a $250 million share buyback.
• The transaction is expected to be accretive to the company's margin profile and return on invested capital (ROIC) post-completion.
• James Hardie also plans to close its European fiber cement operations, sharpening focus on its core growth markets.
• The deal is targeted to close in the first half of calendar 2027, subject to regulatory and employee procedures.

What else do investors need to know?

James Hardie's strategic shift is part of a broader plan to align its portfolio with long-term growth opportunities and market leadership in core regions. The funds from the Fermacell sale will reduce James Hardie's net leverage toward a target of below 2.0x by September 2027.

Additionally, the Board's $250 million share buyback authorisation demonstrates a commitment to delivering shareholder returns. The closure of the European fiber cement business, while significant, also signals a more focused approach to investment and innovation in key growth markets such as North America and Asia-Pacific.

What did James Hardie management say?

James Hardie's CEO, Aaron Erter, commented:

The strategic divestiture of our European operations and the intended closure of the European fiber cement business will enable us to focus on our highest growth and return opportunities. We believe this divestiture will strengthen our balance sheet, deliver compelling value for our shareholders and position the Fermacell business for long-term success under Holcim's ownership. We are deeply grateful to our talented team members across Europe, whose expertise and hard work have made meaningful contributions to James Hardie, and we are committed to supporting impacted European fiber cement employees.

What's next for James Hardie?

James Hardie expects the transaction to be completed in the first half of 2027, pending usual closing conditions. The focus post-sale will be on reducing debt further and potentially more capital management initiatives, including share buybacks.

The divestment and business closure will allow James Hardie to direct resources toward markets and segments with the most potential for sustainable growth and improved returns. Management has indicated a continued appetite for innovation and investment in these core markets.

James Hardie share price snapshot

It has been a strong 12 months for the James Hardie share price. During this time, the company's shares have outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a gain of almost 50%.

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The post James Hardie sells European business, launches share buyback appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The index opened sharply lower this morning, but recovered throughout the day to post a loss of just 0.086% for the session. That leaves the ASX 200 at 9,263.6 points as we head into the weekend.

This cooler end to the Australian trading week today comes after a red session up on Wall Street last night.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a rough time of it, losing a hefty 0.85%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared much better, though, dropping by just 0.057%.

But let's return to the local market now and check out how the different ASX sectors traversed today's tepid trading conditions.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's retreat, we still saw plenty of sectors record a rise today.

But first, it was financial shares that led the selling. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was hit hard this Friday, slumping 0.95%.

Healthcare stocks weren't popular either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanking 0.92%.

Industrial shares were on the nose too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) took a 0.62% dive this session.

We could say the same for consumer discretionary stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.62% dip.

Utilities shares weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) sank 0.43% by the end of the day.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't hold water, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) drifting down 0.09%.

Our last losers this Friday were communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slipped 0.04% lower.

Let's get to the green sectors now. Leading the pack were again gold shares, as you can see from the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 3.45% jump.

Broader mining stocks didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 1.32% by the closing bell.

Tech shares also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) shooting up 0.77%.

Energy stocks were on the winning team today, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) advanced 0.58%.

Finally, consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.11% rise.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Lithium stock Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) took out our top index spot this Friday. Liontown shares enjoyed a significant 9.26% surge to $1.18 today.

That came despite no news or announcements from the company.

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.

Two of the ASX stocks are racing ahead of the 0.1% losses posted by the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in late morning trade today, while one is taking a tumble.

Here's what's grabbing investor attention.

ResMed shares slide on lower margins

The ASX 200 stock trailing the benchmark today is ResMed. This follows the release of the sleep disorder treatment company's fourth-quarter (Q4 FY 2026) results.

At the time of writing, ResMed shares are down 5.2%, changing hands for $29.84 each.

Overall, the company posted some solid results, including a 9% increase in Q4 revenue, which hit a record US$1.5 billion. Over the full FY 2026 year, ResMed reported revenue of US$5.7 billion, up 10% year on year.

The ASX 200 healthcare share also boosted its quarterly dividend by 10% to 66 US cents per share.

But ResMed shares may be coming under pressure, with the company's gross margin slipping 2.0% year on year to 58.8%. And Q4 free cash flow of US$404 million was down 21% from Q4 FY 2025.

Commenting on the results, ResMed CEO Mick Farrell said:

We closed fiscal year 2026 with strong fourth quarter results, reflecting continued momentum of our global business, sustained demand for our market-leading products, and disciplined execution of our strategy.

Avita Medical shares soar on revenue upgrade

Unlike ResMed shares, Avita Medical shares are going through the roof today after the release of its second-quarter (Q2 2026) results.

Shares in the ASX regenerative medicine company are up 15.6% at the time of writing, trading for $1.48 apiece.

Investors are reacting enthusiastically, with Avita Medical reporting Q2 revenue of US$21.7 million, up 18% year over year and marking a new record.

And on the cost front, operating expenses of US$24.6 million were down 6% from Q2 2025.

The strong quarter saw management increase Avita's full-year 2026 net revenue guidance to the range of US$86 million to US$89 million, reflecting confidence in continued commercial execution.

The company said it expects to reach cash flow breakeven in Q4 2026.

Commenting on the results sending Avita Medical shares soaring today, CEO Cary Vance said:

We delivered a strong second quarter, with revenue growing 18% year-over-year and 13% sequentially. As Avita continues to expand utilisation in the US and build its presence in key international markets, our results reflect the strength of both our acute wound care portfolio and our commercial execution, led by RECELL and supported by Cohealyx and PermeaDerm.

Which brings us to…

James Hardie shares jump on earnings surge

Joining Avita Medical and ResMed shares in the headlines today, we find James Hardie.

Shares in the ASX 200 building materials company are up 3.9% at the time of writing, swapping hands for $42.41 apiece.

James Hardie also reported its June quarterly results today, which marks Q1 FY 2027 for the company.

Highlights for the three months include a 64% year-on-year increase in net sales to US$1.47 billion. And adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of US$422 million were up 79%.

James Hardie shares also look to be getting a boost, with the company increasing its full-year FY 2027 pro forma net sales growth target to 5.9% to 9.0%, with pro forma adjusted EBITDA growth in the range of 7.4% to 13.7%.

James Hardie CEO Aaron Erter noted:

Our strong first-quarter results reflect disciplined execution and continued above-market growth, rather than a meaningful improvement in the underlying U.S. housing market. We are not assuming a housing market improvement, but our performance and growth expectations support raising our full-year outlook.

The post Why James Hardie, Avita Medical and ResMed shares are turning heads on Friday appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did James Hardie report?

• Net sales rose 64% to US$1,474.6 million (Q1 FY26: US$899.9 million)
• Net income increased 67% to US$104.3 million
• Adjusted EBITDA was US$422.1 million, up 79%
• Adjusted diluted earnings per share at US$0.36, up 13%
• Free cash flow grew to US$254.2 million, more than double last year
• No interim dividend was declared

What else do investors need to know?

James Hardie's growth was driven by strong results in its Siding & Trim division, where net sales rose 34% to US$860 million, helped by double-digit growth in North American fibre cement products. The recent AZEK acquisition contributed to these figures, with reported results now including the Deck, Rail & Accessories (DR&A) business.

Australia and New Zealand net sales increased 26% (14% in AUD terms), reflecting share gains, new builder wins, and favourable exchange rates. In Europe, sales lifted 15% in US dollars (12% in euros), with robust demand in fibre gypsum and improved margins despite challenging economic conditions.

The company continues to deliver synergy benefits from the AZEK acquisition, including significant cost and channel efficiencies ahead of schedule. Operating cash flow for the quarter was US$344 million, supporting ongoing investment in growth and further debt reduction.

What did James Hardie management say?

Aaron Erter, CEO of James Hardie, said:

Our strong first-quarter results reflect disciplined execution and continued above-market growth, rather than a meaningful improvement in the underlying U.S. housing market. We are not assuming a housing market improvement, but our performance and growth expectations support raising our full-year outlook.

We remain firmly committed to our fiscal 2027 priorities: returning fiber cement to growth, outperforming the market, expanding Adjusted EBITDA, achieving cost and revenue synergies, and driving a meaningful step-up in free cash flow to support continued deleveraging. We look forward to sharing more on our long-term strategy and value creation opportunities at our Investor Day in New York City in September.

What's next for James Hardie?

James Hardie has lifted its full-year FY27 outlook and is now targeting pro forma net sales growth of 5.9% to 9.0%, and pro forma adjusted EBITDA growth of 7.4% to 13.7%. The company expects organic growth in Siding & Trim and above-market performance for DR&A over the remainder of the year. Free cash flow for FY27 is forecast to exceed US$500 million, up more than US$200 million year on year.

Management says James Hardie will focus on expanding margins, driving commercial and cost synergy targets, and reducing net leverage to below 2.0x by Q2 FY28. The company does not expect significant new capital investment requirements near term, with its manufacturing network well positioned for anticipated demand.

James Hardie share price snapshot

It has been a subdued 12 months for the James Hardie share price. During this time, the company's shares have undeperformed the S&P/ASX 200 index (ASX: XJO) with a modest 1% gain.

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The post James Hardie lifts outlook as Q1 sales jump 64% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Will the market be able to build on this on Friday and end the week on a high? Here are five things to watch:

ASX 200 expected to open flat

The Australian share market looks set for a subdued session on Friday following a poor night of trade in the United States. According to the latest SPI futures, the ASX 200 is expected to open flat this morning. In late trade on Wall Street, the Dow Jones is down 0.9%, the S&P 500 is down 0.2%, and the Nasdaq is 0.1% lower.

Oil prices jump

ASX 200 energy shares Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) and Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) could have a good finish to the week after oil prices jumped overnight. According to Bloomberg, the WTI crude oil price is up 3.9% to US$78.12 a barrel and the Brent crude oil price is up 4.9% to US$83.32 a barrel. This follows news that Iran has published a restrictive draft plan for the Strait of Hormuz. 

Beach Energy shares given hold rating

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares are a hold according to analysts at Bell Potter. This morning, in response to a mixed FY 2026 result, the broker has retained its hold rating and 95 cents price target on the energy producer's shares. It said: "BPT is focused on shifting from a production replacement cycle to building a longer term sustainable reserves position. The company is guiding to modest production growth in FY27 and relatively stable capex, enabling positive free cash flow and maintaining balance sheet strength for growth initiatives and potentially dividends. We are positive on BPT's exposure to Australian east coast gas markets (around half of sales volumes) and cautious with respect to global oil markets."

Gold price eases

ASX 200 gold shares Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) and Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) could have a subdued finish to the week after the gold price eased overnight. According to CNBC, the gold futures price is down 0.2% to US$4,295.8 an ounce. This may have been driven by profit taking after strong gains this week.

ASX 200 results

Another group of ASX 200 shares will be releasing their results this morning and will be worth watching. This includes James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX), Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK), and ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD). The latter is expected to report FY 2026 revenue of US$5.65 billion and earnings per share of US$11.12.

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

Brokers have indicated new confidence by raising their ratings on several ASX 200 shares this week.

Let's see a sample.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)

The Westpac share price is $38.30, up 0.4% today and up 13% over 12 months. 

There is no news from Westpac this week.

UBS reiterated its buy rating with a 12-month price target of $45 on Thursday.

This suggests a potential 17% upside ahead for the ASX 200 bank share.

Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)

The Mineral Resources share price is $58.11, up 0.6% today and up 103% over 12 months. 

Mineral Resources released its 4Q FY26 report this week, revealing record mining and lithium volumes.

The company said it had achieved or exceeded guidance across all business segments and reduced net debt.

Morgans raised its rating from accumulate to buy with an unchanged price target of $68 this week.

This implies a 17% upside ahead.

The broker said:

MIN delivered a strong 4Q26 result, with production and cost beats across mining services, iron ore and lithium.

FY26 guidance was achieved or exceeded across every segment.

Net debt reduced to A$4.3bn (-8% below expectations) and is now below 2x ND/EBITDA on our FY26 EBITDA forecasts.

Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)

The Whitehaven Coal share price is $7.23, up 0.7% today and up 12% over 12 months.

Whitehaven released its 4Q FY26 report this week.

The coal miner reported managed full-year run-of-mine (ROM) coal production and sales at the top end of its guidance.

Morgans upgraded the ASX 200 coal share from accumulate to buy this week.

The broker reduced its 12-month price target from $9.20 to $8.50.

This suggest a potential 18% upside ahead.

Morgans said:

Guidance delivered – WHC delivered in FY26 with ROM Coal production and Coal Sales coming in at the top end of guidance, while unit costs and capex tracked towards the lower end of their respective ranges.

Refinanced for added flexibility – Recent refinancing has lowered funding costs and extended debt maturities, leaving WHC better placed to navigate commodity market volatility and focus on FY27 operational delivery.

Queensland was firing – A strong rebound from Blackwater and Daunia drove an inline ROM Coal production result, highlighting the production leverage power of the Queensland portfolio and more than offsetting ongoing operational challenges at Narrabri.

Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL)

The Bellevue Gold share price is $1.27, up 5.4% today and up 57% over 12 months. 

This week, the gold miner reported June quarter production of 41,643 ounces, up from 40,745 ounces in the March quarter.

Full-year production was 143,539 ounces, a new record that exceeded the guidance midpoint.

The full-year average all-in sustaining cost was A$2,827 per ounce.

Jarden upgraded the ASX 200 gold share on Wednesday with a 12-month target of $1.35.

This implies a potential 6% lift over the next year.

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

James Hardie shares are $37.07 apiece, down 0.5% today and down 10% over 12 months.

Morgans upgraded James Hardie shares to a hold rating after reviewing the building materials suppliers' 1Q FY27 report.

Analyst Liam Schofield said:

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 post 5 ASX shares attracting upgraded ratings this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)

The Cleanaway Waste Management share price is $2.41, up 0.2% today and down 17% over 12 months.

Last week, Cleanaway announced a CFO transition and reaffirmed its FY26 earnings outlook.

Following this, Nathan Lead from Morgans maintained his buy rating on the ASX 200 industrials share. 

Lead said: 

… CWY informed the market that it expects its underlying EBIT for FY26 to be approximately $470m (around the mid-point of its guidance range). This is a touch better than our previous forecast ($465m) and Visible Alpha consensus ($468m).

We update our FY26 forecast to reflect this update, adding 1% to our FY26F EBIT, which leverages into a c.2% uplift to FY26F EPS.

Cleanaway Waste Management will release its full-year FY26 results on 20 August.

Aurizon Holdings Ltd (ASX: AZJ)

The Aurizon share price is $4.24, up 0.8% today and up 30% over 12 months.

Toby Grimm from Baker Young has a hold rating on Australia's largest rail freight operator.

On The Bull this week, Grimm said: 

Total containerised freight for the 10 months to April 30 was up 13.2 per cent compared to the prior corresponding period. Growth was driven by new and existing customers.

The company re-affirmed full year 2026 guidance. Group underlying EBITDA is forecast to range between $1.68 billion and $1.75 billion. Coal and bulk EBITDA are expected to be higher.

The stock was recently trading on an appealing dividend yield.

The shares have risen from $3.26 on July 28, 2025 to trade at $4.355 on July 23, 2026.

Aurizon will release its full-year FY26 results on 17 August.

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

James Hardie shares are $26.66 apiece, up 0.5% today and down 1% over 12 months.

Morgans upgraded James Hardie shares to a hold rating after reviewing the building materials suppliers' latest numbers.

Analyst Liam Schofield 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 post Buy, hold, sell: Cleanaway Waste Management, Aurizon, James Hardie shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.