If you’d like to make some investments but aren’t sure which shares to buy, you could look at exchange traded funds (ETFs) instead. This increasingly popular asset class allows you to invest in large groups of shares from particular indices or sectors through a single investment.

But which ETFs could be in the buy zone? Two that are very popular are listed below. Here’s what you need to know about them:

BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF (ASX: ASIA)

The first ETF for investors to look at is the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF. This ETF tracks the performance of an index comprising around 50 of the biggest and brightest technology shares in Asia.

These are the tigers of the Asian economy and include the likes of Alibaba, Baidu, JD.com, Pinduoduo, Samsung, Taiwan Semiconductor, and Tencent.

As the Asian tech sector is expected to remain a growth sector for some time to come, this could make the BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF a great option for long-term focused investors. Particularly after recent weakness dragged many of these companies (and therefore the ETF) down materially from their highs.

VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

Another ETF that investors might want to look at is the VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, especially if you’re after high quality and defensive companies to invest in.

That’s because this ETF aims to invest in a collection of companies that are deemed to be fairly valued and have sustainable competitive advantages or moats (hence the ETF’s name).

The VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF also has around 50 shares among its holdings. These include Adobe, Amazon, Boeing, Campbell Soup, Constellation Brands, Lockheed Martin, Microsoft, Walt Disney, and Wells Fargo.

The post Here are 2 fantastic ETFs for ASX investors to buy in May appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BetaShares Asia Technology Tigers ETF and VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. 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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With interest rates rising, Australians are about to tighten their belts and watch their spending.

If you have less money to play with, then naturally you will be more careful where you spend it.

As such, it’s interesting to analyse the latest update to the Roy Morgan’s Australia’s most trusted brands rankings.

As the economy slows down, which are the brands best placed to attract customers and revenue?

ASX shares that have the most trustworthy brands

For the year ending March, incredibly the top six most trusted brands had not changed from the previous quarter:

1. Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)
2. Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)
3. Bunnings Warehouse
4. Aldi Australia
5. Kmart
6. Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN)

While Aldi is privately owned, Bunnings and Kmart are both brands operated by the Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) conglomerate.

Roy Morgan chief Michele Levine noted the rising cost of living would challenge businesses looking to maintain trust and minimise distrust.

“The last two years have proven to be good ones for Australia’s supermarkets and big retailers,” she said. 

“Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, Bunnings Warehouse and Kmart have consistently ranked in the top five most trusted brands in Australia and this trend hasn’t changed in the early months of 2022.”

Woolworths and Wesfarmers shares have sunk so far this year, by around 2% and 17% respectively.

The Coles and Qantas share prices have fared better, with both ASX shares moving around 2.6% upwards.

US company makes huge strides in Australia

The huge mover in the latest survey was Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL).

The technology provider moved up six places to be rated the ninth most trusted brand among Australians.

“Respondents who trust Apple noted several aspects of Apple’s services that stand out including that ‘their privacy and security is much higher of a priority than competitors’,” said Levine.

“‘Apple’s technology is useful and designed well – I use them extensively at home’, ‘I have used Apple’s products my entire working career’ and ‘They have always tried to develop user-centred products’.”

Apple shares have suffered the wrath of investors in the rotation away from high-growth stocks, falling almost 22% for the year so far.

The post 4 ASX shares of the most trusted brands in Australia appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• ‘Safe haven’: Why this broker backs Woolworths shares amid recent turbulence
• Where next for the Wesfarmers share price?
• Will Microsoft and Apple shares finally give way in the stock market’s downturn?
• Own ASX 200 retail shares? Here’s how the majors are tackling climate change
• Analysts name 2 ASX dividend shares to buy to beat inflation

Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo 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 Apple. 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 COLESGROUP DEF SET and Wesfarmers Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple. 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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Despite a strong finish to the week, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) recorded a sizeable decline last week. The benchmark index fell 1.8% over the five days to 7,075.1 points.

Fortunately, not all shares dropped with the market. Here’s why these were the best performers on the ASX 200 last week:

PolyNovo Ltd (ASX: PNV)

The PolyNovo share price was the best performer on the ASX 200 last week with a whopping 44.4% gain. This was driven by countless announcements revealing that the heavily shorted medical device company’s chairman, David Williams, had bought shares on-market. This may have spooked short sellers into buying shares to close their positions.

Lifestyle Communities Limited (ASX: LIC)

The Lifestyle Communities share price was on form and charged 11.2% higher over the period. This was driven by a positive response from brokers to a trading update. That update revealed that the land lease communities company has reaffirmed its forecast to deliver 1,100 to 1,300 new home settlements and 450 to 550 resale settlements attracting a deferred management fee between FY 2022 and FY 2024. Goldman Sachs responded by reiterating its conviction buy rating and $24.65 price target.

TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG)

The TPG share price was a positive performer and pushed 8.6% higher last week. This followed a positive reaction to news that the telco has signed a binding agreement to sell 100% of its passive mobile tower and rooftop infrastructure. TPG is selling the infrastructure to OMERS Infrastructure Management for $950 million. These funds are expected to be used by TPG to pay down its existing debt.

IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH)

The IPH share price wasn’t far behind with a 7.4% gain. This was despite there being no news out of the intellectual property services company. This latest gain means the IPH share price is now up by a sizeable 22% over the last 12 months despite the market volatility.

The post These were the best performers on the ASX 200 last week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These were the worst performers on the ASX 200 last week
• Here are the top 10 ASX shares today
• Why did the Telstra share price rebound nearly 2% on Friday?
• Here are the 3 most heavily traded ASX 200 shares on Friday
• Why is the Magellan share price up 7% today?

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro 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 POLYNOVO FPO. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended IPH Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended IPH Ltd and TPG Telecom Limited. 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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Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares are outperforming the broader market in 2022, and they’re well-positioned to continue their trajectory, according to one expert.

BW Equities’ Tom Bleakly recently labelled the supermarket giant’s stock a ‘buy’ saying it (and its peers) have managed to shake off recent disruptions.

At the closing bell yesterday, the Woolworths share price was up 1.16% at $37.64. That’s 2.3% lower than it was at the start of the year.

In contrast, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has slumped 7% so far this year.

So, what is it that the expert thinks Woolworths shares have going for them? Let’s take a look.

Here’s why this expert is backing Woolworths shares

Woolworths has faced numerous challenges this year, but its shares are still worth looking at, according to Bleakly.

He recently told The Bull he was impressed by the company’s recent earnings. Particularly, considering the notable supply chain issues it’s been facing.

Of course, the 13 weeks to 3 April saw major flood events in Australia as well as the worst of the Omicron outbreak.

That saw absenteeism surge in the company’s fulfilment centres, as well as the closure of stores and lesser product availability.

Still, Woolworths reported more than $15 billion of group sales for the period. That was a 9.7% increase on those of the prior comparable quarter.

Additionally, Bleaky believes the stock is in the right spot to ward off recent market turbulence.

The ASX 200 has been on a rollercoaster the last few weeks, seemingly spurred by Australia’s inflation rate hitting 5.1% in late April, followed by the nation’s first rate rise in 11 years in early March.

Bleaky commented that Woolworths’ home sector has been a “safe haven” in the turbulence.

Indeed, the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) has fallen just 1.6% since the start of this year, besting the performance of the Woolworths share price.

The post ‘Safe haven’: Why this broker backs Woolworths shares amid recent turbulence appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Own ASX 200 retail shares? Here’s how the majors are tackling climate change
• What’s with the Woolworths share price on Wednesday?
• Is the Woolworths share price good value right now?
• Which ASX supermarket shares could win (and lose) as higher inflation hits shelves?
• Here’s how the Woolworths share price stacked up in April

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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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