Buy, hold, sell: Orica, GQG Partners, BHP shares

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares have weakened by almost 1% over the past 12 months.

Last week, the market edged lower on growing expectations of another interest rate hike due to stubborn inflation.

Meanwhile, here are some new ratings from the experts.

Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI)

The Orica share price is up 5.7% over 12 months. 

Ord Minnett has a buy rating on this ASX 200 materials share. 

The broker said: 

NaCN [sodium cyanide] is a critical reagent used in gold extraction, and the two largest global producers, Orica and Draslovka, have both indicated their production capacity is fully committed.

With supply effectively sold out, pricing power is improving, as evidenced by recent Australian trade data.

In addition, NaCN costs have not increased at the same pace as broader mining costs despite being an essential input and the gold miners enjoying elevated profitability from strong gold prices. This suggests further pricing upside may be achievable.

Stronger NaCN pricing and improved plant utilisation could drive returns in ORI's chemicals division back towards historical levels (before the acquisition of Cyanco in 2024) and closer to the company's broader target range of 13%– 15%. 

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

The BHP share price has soared 53% over 12 months. 

Dylan Evans from Catapult Wealth has a hold rating on this ASX 200 mining share. 

Evans said (courtesy The Bull): 

The global miner's full year results were impressive, with the company increasing revenue and profit.

Growth was driven by the copper division, which is now the primary revenue generator for BHP.

As a result, future earnings will be influenced by the copper price, but the price should be underpinned by several long term themes, including electrification and growing digital infrastructure.

BHP is a core holding. However, the share price has risen substantially in the past 12 months to the point where it can appear expensive.

GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG)

The GQG Partners share price has tumbled 37% over 12 months. 

Andrew Wielandt from DP Wealth Advisory has a sell rating on this ASX 200 financial share. 

Wielandt said: 

GQG is a global active fund manager with a diversified range of equity strategies. However, total funds under management of $US149.2 billion at August 31, 2026 had fallen from $US156.4 billion at July 31, 2026.

Total funds under management are also down $US14.7 billion between December 31, 2025 and August 31, 2026.

Outflows create uncertainty about the sustainability of earnings and income.

Until investment performance and funds under management stabilise or tick up, we retain a sell recommendation on GQG.

The post Buy, hold, sell: Orica, GQG Partners, BHP shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

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