You can't pick the bottom, but these 4 ASX shares are already bargains: expert

An expert is tipping a technology stock and three healthcare shares to be the first to bounce back when market sentiment turns bullish again.

| More on:
A group of four people plays hook-a-duck at the fairground.

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

Inflation and war have killed morale in the share market this year.

Despite a mini-revival in February, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is still more than 7% down for the year.

And no one knows when the carnage will stop.

Tribeca portfolio manager Jun Bei Liu reminded investors of the old axiom that trying to guess when the market has hit a trough is a fool's game.

But if you already have an idea that ASX shares are pretty cheap, you need to strike.

"It's hard to pick the very bottom," she told Switzer TV Investing.

"But you know it's coming. Maximum uncertainty is the time when you should start at least accumulating your positions."

The idea is that if you can buy shares in quality companies at a roughly reasonable price then you will win in the long run, regardless of whether you bought exactly at the bottom.

So with that in mind, here are some ASX shares that Liu would buy at the moment:

Great reporting season, but all these ASX shares are down

Job classifieds site Seek Limited (ASX: SEK) has seen its shares plunge more than 20% this year.

This just makes Liu more hungry to add more of the stock to her portfolio.

"One of the best results out of reporting season was Seek," she said.

"And look at the share price. It led to a double-digit earnings upgrade and the share price is lower than what it [was] before."

Ord Minnett senior investment adviser Tony Paterno last week agreed that Seek is a stock to buy after an impressive updated guidance.

"We expect Seek to continue extracting value during the next 12 to 18 months."

Liu is also bullish on ASX healthcare shares, especially those "blue chips" that have established track records.

"If you look at healthcare names, they have underperformed. Not because of the war, but they've underperformed because they were expensive companies, relative to other sectors."

She specifically named CSL Limited (ASX: CSL), Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD) and Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH) as ones to target right now.

"All of them have reported pretty good numbers… And since then the share prices have come off again," Liu said.

"All of that together makes these companies absolute standouts. When there's a rebound it is these companies that will be the first ones to move [upwards]."

The benefit of betting on market leaders is that when interest rates inevitably move up, they will be ready for combat.

"They have pricing power. They can apply faster price increases so that their earnings growth is not going to be impacted," she said.

"These companies will continue to grow."

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo owns CSL Ltd., Cochlear Ltd., and ResMed Inc. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns and has recommended CSL Ltd. and Cochlear Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear Ltd., ResMed Inc., and SEEK Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Investing Strategies

A woman looks questioning as she puts a coin into a piggy bank.
Bank Shares

Do ANZ shares present better value than other Big Four options?

Here's my take on whether ANZ is a good value investment right now.

Read more »

Happy man holding Australian dollar notes, representing dividends.
Dividend Investing

3 outstanding ASX dividend shares to buy next week

Analysts are tipping these shares to offer big returns over the next 12 months.

Read more »

Happy young woman saving money in a piggy bank.
ETFs

Did you know these ASX stocks are in the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (VAS)?

The VAS ETF is an index fund that tracks the 300 biggest listed companies by market capitalisation.

Read more »

A male oil and gas mechanic wearing a white hardhat walks along a steel platform above a series of gas pipes in a gas plant
Dividend Investing

Should I buy Santos shares for dividend income?

Santos shares have been steadily upping their dividends since 2020.

Read more »

A smiling travel agent sitting at her desk working for Corporate Travel Management
Growth Shares

My 2 best ASX growth shares to buy in November

Growth continues to catch the market's attention.

Read more »

A businessman lights up the fifth star in a lineup, indicating positive share price for a top performer
Dividend Investing

2 of the best ASX dividend shares to buy in December

Bell Potter rates these dividend shares very highly. Let's see why.

Read more »

Man dressed as santa giving a thumbs up.
Cheap Shares

Here are 2 cheap Australian shares for the Christmas list

Looking for value investment opportunities? Here's the expert take on two options.

Read more »

Man holding Australian dollar notes, symbolising dividends.
Dividend Investing

Analysts expect 5% to 8% dividend yields from these ASX stocks

Here's why these dividend stocks could be great options for income investors today.

Read more »