The smartest ASX shares to buy with $20 right now

These could be good opportunities to hunt for with a small amount of money.

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Key points

  • It’s possible to invest a very small amount of money in ASX shares
  • The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF provides exposure to global tech giants such as Microsoft, Apple, and so on
  • Xero is rapidly growing its subscribers and revenue around the world

You don't need $1 million to invest in ASX shares. With the Australian Securities Exchange, these days we can invest a very small amount of money.

Typically, brokers have a minimum investment of $500 for the first time a company enters a person's portfolio. But, it's possible that a much smaller investment can be made once someone owns shares of that company already. There is even a limited number of ways for investors to make specific investments with $0 brokerage.

With all of the volatility that's going on, the share market is throwing up potential opportunities.

Assuming an investor is happy with the brokerage they're paying for a $20 investment, there are a few ASX share options where I think it could make sense to build up an investment position.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

This is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that enables investors to invest in 100 of the biggest businesses on the NASDAQ stock exchange.

I think that many of the world's best businesses are on the NASDAQ. The ones that are changing the world in their own small way, with new services and products, are the ones that could drive their earnings and shareholder returns higher.

Inside the ETF are globally-leading names like Microsoft, Alphabet, Apple, Amazon.com, Nvidia, Tesla, and Costco.

With the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF down by around 20% since the start of 2022, this could be a good time to top up the holding of this quality ETF.

Xero Limited (ASX: XRO)

Xero is one of the world-leading software businesses when it comes to accounting software. The ASX technology share can help save time by automating a number of processes across business operations, while providing financial information in an easy-to-understand format.

It's proving to be very popular, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. The high level of customer loyalty is allowing Xero to implement price increases that improve its long-term profitability potential. It loses less than 1% of its customers each year.

With global expansion into places like South Africa, Singapore, and Canada, the ASX tech share is giving itself more room to grow.

This potential investment looks like a good opportunity right now because it's down heavily over the last 15 months. In fact, it's down almost 50% since November 2021 despite growing its revenue and subscribers significantly since then.

Foolish takeaway

I think it only makes sense to invest small amounts of money in ASX shares or units that we're planning to hold for a long time — and planning to accumulate more of over time at the right price. That's why my suggestions are based on quality businesses with long-term growth potential.

Suzanne Frey, an executive at Alphabet, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Alphabet, Amazon.com, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Costco Wholesale, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long March 2023 $120 calls on Apple and short March 2023 $130 calls on Apple. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Alphabet, Amazon.com, Apple, and Nvidia. 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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