3 ASX 200 shares hitting multi-year lows while the market rallies: Time to buy?

These three ASX 200 shares are missing out on the market rally.

| More on:
a woman looks down at her phone with a look of concern on her face and her hand held to her chin while she seriously digests the news she is receiving.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is rallying to new record highs this week, but not every ASX 200 share is joining in the Fed-fuelled rally.

With less than an hour of trade left before the closing bell on Friday, the benchmark index is up 0.3% at 8,219.6 points. That sees the index of the top 200 Aussie stocks up 14.7% over the past 12 months.

But three ASX 200 shares have gone the other way and notched fresh 52-week lows today.

Three ASX 200 shares missing out on the market rally

In morning trade today, the Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price was down 0.8% to $28.11, a new one-year low. While shares in Australia's largest branded petrol and convenience network have since popped into the green, at the current $28.51, shares are down 14.2% since this time last year.

The stock has been under pressure for much of the past six months, with little help from the release of its half-year results. Investors favoured their sell buttons after Ampol's revenue from ordinary activities fell 1.1% year on year to $18.24 billion.

Ampol also cut its fully franked interim dividend by 36.8% from the prior year to 60 cents per share.

Time to buy?

That's a yes, according to Jeffries. Earlier this month, the broker boosted Ampol to a buy rating with a $33 target price.

Which bring us to Atlas Arteria Ltd (ASX: ALX).

Down 0.8% at the time of writing, shares in the global owner, operator, and developer of toll roads are currently trading for $4.68 apiece. This ASX 200 share is down 20.6% over the past year and trading at multi-year lows.

Atlas Arteria's shares have been under selling pressure for most of the past 12 months. The company didn't get any relief with the release of its half-year results. On the bottom line, Atlas Arteria's net profit after tax of 114.2 million euros for the six-month period was down 16% year on year.

Time to buy?

Well, according to analysts' consensus recommendations on CommSec, you might want to wait this one out yet. CommSec shows one strong buy recommendation, six holds, two moderate sells, and one strong sell.

Rounding off the list of ASX 200 shares joining this rather ignominious 52-week-plus low list is New Zealand's largest telecommunications and digital services company, Spark New Zealand Ltd (ASX: SPK).

The Spark share price is down 1.5% as I pen this, at $2.98 a share. That sees the Spark New Zealand share price down 32.4% in a year.

Spark shares began sliding in February and faced more headwinds following the release of the telco's full-year results on 23 August.

FY 2024 revenue of $3.86 billion was down 1.2% from FY 2023 on an adjusted basis. Adjusted net profit after tax (NPAT) dropped 21% year on year to $342 million.

Time to buy?

Turning to CommSec again, three analysts rate the ASX 200 share as a strong buy, one has it as a moderate buy, and six recommend it as a hold.

It's worth noting that none of the analysts have a sell recommendation for Spark New Zealand.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben 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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on 52-Week Lows

Dollar sign in yellow with a red falling arrow in front of a graph, symbolising a falling share price.
Materials Shares

Ouch: The Pilbara Minerals share price just hit a multi-year low

It's been a tough day for lithium investors.

Read more »

A man holds his head as he looks at his laptop and contemplates more bills to pay.
Technology Shares

Guess which ASX 200 tech stock just crashed 13% on news from Microsoft?

The tech giant has dealt this company a blow. Let's see what is happening.

Read more »

Investor covering eyes in front of laptop
Materials Shares

Why are Syrah Resources shares crashing 32%?

This mining stock is being hammered again. What's going on?

Read more »

Shot of a young businesswoman looking stressed out while working in an office.
Industrials Shares

This ASX share is tumbling 13% on reduced earnings forecast

Earnings are expected to fall in the first half, much to the dismay of the market.

Read more »

A businesswoman exhales a deep sigh after receiving bad news, and gets on with it.
52-Week Lows

Down 68% from highs, this ASX 200 stock just hit a 4-year low. Time to pounce?

Is this beaten down stock a buy? Let's see what one leading broker is saying.

Read more »

A female Woolworths customer leans on her shopping trolley as she rests her chin in her hand thinking about what to buy for dinner while also wondering why the Woolworths share price isn't doing as well as Coles recently
52-Week Lows

Why is the Woolworths share price at its lowest point since 2020?

We haven't seen Woolies shares this low since COVID.

Read more »

A bored woman looking at her computer, it's bad news.
52-Week Lows

Why this $7 billion ASX 200 stock is falling hard today

Investors were not impressed with this company's performance during the third quarter.

Read more »

Female worker sitting desk with head in hand and looking fed up
52-Week Lows

Mineral Resources shares hit an almost 4-year low. What's going on?

It's been a bad few days to own this stock...

Read more »