Beginner investor? Here's a simple 3-stock ASX portfolio to get you started

You don't need to start with a big portfolio. Here's how simple it could get.

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Starting out with ASX shares doesn't need to be complicated. In fact, keeping things simple is often the best strategy — especially when you're just dipping your toe in the water.

Rather than chasing the next hot stock, beginners are often better off focusing on high-quality businesses with strong fundamentals, industry leadership, and clear long-term growth stories.

If I were building a beginner-friendly ASX share portfolio today, here's a simple mix of three standout stocks that could help set the foundation for long-term success. They are as follows:

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Kicking things off is WiseTech Global, a global leader in logistics software. Its flagship platform, CargoWise, is used by some of the world's largest freight and logistics operators to manage complex global supply chains.

WiseTech is a true Aussie tech success story. It boasts ~95% recurring revenue, exceptionally low churn, and EBITDA margins hovering around 50%. While this ASX share has been volatile lately, its long-term growth runway remains huge — especially as global trade and automation continue to expand.

For beginners looking to add a high-quality growth stock to their portfolio, WiseTech is one to consider. Goldman Sachs rates it as a buy and has a $128.00 price target on its shares.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

Another ASX share that could be a buy for this starter portfolio is Goodman Group.

This property giant specialises in high-tech logistics and industrial real estate — think distribution hubs for Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN), facilities for data centre providers, and warehouses for major e-commerce platforms. As demand for e-commerce, cloud storage, and AI ramps up globally, so too does demand for Goodman's properties.

The company has a rock-solid balance sheet, long-term leases with high-quality tenants, and a smart management team that consistently delivers. This could make it a strong long term portfolio holding.

Citi thinks it would be a top pick for investors. It has put a buy rating and $40.00 price target on its shares.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

Finally, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF could be a great way to round off this 3 stock ASX portfolio.

This ASX ETF gives investors instant access to the top 100 non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq. This means companies such as Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA), Amazon, and Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META).

These companies are driving global innovation in AI, cloud computing, consumer tech, and more. As a result, the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF provides investors with a simple way to invest in these themes, all through a single click of the button.

Foolish takeaway

When you're just starting out, it pays to stick with quality, clarity, and conviction. A beginner portfolio made up of WiseTech Global, Goodman Group, and the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF gives you a mix of local innovation, global exposure, and megatrend tailwinds.

Best of all? It's simple, scalable, and built for the long term.

John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Randi Zuckerberg, a former director of market development and spokeswoman for Facebook and sister to Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Goodman Group, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Amazon, Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Goldman Sachs Group, Goodman Group, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, Nvidia, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Amazon, Apple, Goodman Group, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, 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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