With a total of 200 shares trading on the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), there certainly is a lot of choice for investors.
Among the many quality options on the benchmark index, I think the three listed below are standout picks right now.
Here's why I would invest $3,000 across these ASX 200 shares:
Appen Ltd (ASX: APX)
The first ASX 200 share I would buy is Appen. It is a leading developer of high-quality, human annotated datasets for the machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) markets. This essentially means that it prepares the data that goes into AI models. This is a vital part of the process, as quality data is integral to improving models and allowing them to reach their full potential. Pleasingly, with spending on machine learning and AI expected to grow materially over the next decade, Appen looks well-placed to benefit. Especially given its leadership position in the market and its history of working with tech giants such as Apple, Facebook, and Microsoft.
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)
Another ASX 200 share to buy is CSL. I think the biotherapeutics giant could be the highest quality company on the index and a great long term option. This is due to its world class therapies and vaccines, high level of investment in research and development, expansive plasma collection network, and talented management team. Combined, I believe they leave CSL well-positioned to deliver solid earnings growth over the 2020s.
SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK)
A final ASX 200 share to buy is SEEK. Due to its growing China-based operations and its market domination in the ANZ market, I believe SEEK is well-positioned for long term growth once the pandemic passes. Management certainly appears to believe this is the case. It continues to target revenue of $5 billion later this decade. This will be a very big increase on the revenue of $1,577.4 million it recorded in FY 2020.
