How I'd build a portfolio by investing in top ASX shares now

There has been widespread declines this year. I think it's the perfect time to go hunting for quality ASX shares.

A businessman stacks building blocks.

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

Key points

  • I think that the current investment environment, while volatile, is a good time to go hunting for ideas due to lower prices
  • Valuations of quality businesses are down – I like the look of names that have good international growth potential
  • Xero, Premier Investments, REA Group, Reece, IDP Education and Lovisa are some ASX shares I’d be looking at for the long-term

This year has been defined by a lot of volatility, mostly declines. I think this is a great time to go investing in top ASX shares.

Interestingly, the rising interest rates have hit some of the highest-quality businesses the hardest. Some companies may be better at handling economic downturns, but higher interest rates have had a widespread effect on valuations, even if the business' operations haven't been affected much (yet).

I think we can see how hard quality businesses have been hit by looking at the return of the Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY). This is a globally-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF) that looks for businesses that rank well on return on equity, debt-to-capital, cash flow generation ability and earnings stability.

Despite that focus on quality, resilient businesses, the ETF is down 21% since the start of 2022, while the Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF (ASX: VGS) is only down around 13%. However, from the current levels, I think it's the quality (ASX) shares that are going to do better from here, particularly on the revenue and/or profit.

How I'd build a portfolio in top ASX shares

Over the long term, I think that 'better' businesses are likely to outperform ones that don't have attractive features.

There are plenty of different factors that investors can look for, such as good management, a solid balance sheet, a good growth record, a compelling business model, attractive plans and so on.

For me, one of the things that can make a business really stand out as a potential opportunity is international growth.

Australia is a great place to do business in. It's a huge country with a lot of land for resources and agriculture. However, the population is small, relatively speaking. So, the growth ceiling is pretty low in most industries compared to markets like the US, Asia, Europe or essentially most of the world.

This gives an ASX share a much larger potential growth runway. But, just because it's targeting overseas growth doesn't automatically mean it will be successful.

For me, some of the businesses that tick many quality boxes, including international growth, include Xero Limited (ASX: XRO), Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG), Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV), REA Group Limited (ASX: REA), Reece Ltd (ASX: REH), Idp Education Ltd (ASX: IEL), Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), and Altium Limited (ASX: ALU).

I'm also very interested in the retail ASX share sector at the moment, due to the market's pessimism. After recent declines, I think names like Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK), Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH), and Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) are interesting.

I also like the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT), which gives Aussie investors exposure to US shares with strong competitive advantages that are expected to endure for many years.

Foolish takeaway

A big part of investing is choosing a good investment and then being patient. The prices that the ASX share market is presenting look too good to ignore — I believe it's a good time to go hunting businesses at cheaper prices.

Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

Scott just revealed what he believes could be the 'five best ASX stocks' for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now...

See The 5 Stocks *Returns as of 30 April 2025

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Altium. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ADAIRS FPO, Altium, Idp Education Pty Ltd, Lovisa Holdings Ltd, Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ADAIRS FPO, Wesfarmers Limited, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa Holdings Ltd, Premier Investments Limited, REA Group Limited, VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Opinions

share buyers, investors, happy investors
ETFs

How I would build a $100,000 portfolio with ASX ETFs today

You don't need more than three ETFs to build a diversified portfolio...

Read more »

iPhone with the logo and the word Google spelt multiple times in the background.
Opinions

I've been buying these 2 US stocks in 2025. Here's why

Sometimes the US markets are a better place to go shopping for stocks.

Read more »

A man and woman sit next to each other looking at each other and feeling excited and surprised after reading good news about their shares on a laptop.
Opinions

Where I'd invest in ASX shares after the RBA interest rate cut

These stocks look really attractive to me. Here’s why…

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Opinions

3 reasons why the Fortescue share price could still be a buy

Let’s dig into why this mining giant could be a solid buy.

Read more »

A young woman wearing a red and white striped t-shirt puts her hand to her chin and looks sideways as she wonders whether to buy NAB shares
Opinions

The pros and cons of buying Wesfarmers shares in May

Is this retail giant an appealing opportunity?

Read more »

Smiling man sits in front of a graph on computer while using his mobile phone.
Opinions

2 ASX 200 shares that I think are still bargains after the market rally

These businesses look like attractive opportunities. Here’s why…

Read more »

A young woman looks at something on her laptop, wondering what will come next.
Opinions

Worried about another stock market sell-off?

Market declines don’t need to be too scary.

Read more »

An evening shot of a busy Times Square in New York.
Opinions

The pros and cons of buying US-focused ASX ETFs in the current environment

In a short amount of time, the US share market has erased the declines that it went through at the…

Read more »