Where I’d invest $10,000 in 2026 in ASX shares aiming to beat the market

This is the perfect time to evaluate where the best opportunities are to invest $1,000, $10,000 or even more into ASX shares.

There are a number of great businesses Aussies can buy that could deliver strong long-term returns such as Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG), Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA) and Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG). I own shares in each of those names because of my optimistic view of their outlooks.

But, if I had to pick four ideas to invest $10,000 today based on their growth potential and the underlying valuation, I’d spread the money across these names.

Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL)

There a few businesses on the ASX that have a long-term track record of delivering good compounding returns over very long stretches of time. Soul Patts is an investment conglomerate, but, unlike Berkshire Hathaway, its success has not been reliant on the investment decisions of just one or two individuals.

Soul Patts has built a diversified portfolio across a variety of sectors including industrial properties, building products, resources, telecommunications, financial services, credit and plenty more.

With the Soul Patts share price down 18% since September 2025, at the time of writing, it looks better value to me. Its portfolio defensive positioning means it doesn’t often fall more than 10%, so this could be an appealing trigger point.

I’m expecting long-term compounding from this ASX share as its existing and future investments grow and deliver value for the company. Expansion of its international investing efforts could be a very pleasing development if that happens in 2026 and beyond – the company has a small part of its portfolio dedicated to international investments.

Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW)

This online retailer of furniture, homewares and home improvements took a big dive towards the end of 2025 after its revenue growth of 18% in FY26 to 20 November 2025 disappointed investors.

But, I think it’s a potential mistake to think the company’s growth prospects have been permanently reduced, so the sell-off could be overdone.

I believe the transition to online shopping will continue, with Australia’s online penetration homewares and furniture at 20% of the overall sector, compared to 29% for the UK and 35% for the US. I think that bodes well for the ASX share as a leader in the e-commerce space.

Pleasingly, certain segments of the business are growing revenue at a faster pace. In the AGM update, it revealed home improvement revenue was up 40% year-over-year, while trade and commercial revenue increased 23% year-over-year.

With revenue continuing to climb at a solid double-digit pace and good prospects for margin improvements in the years ahead, I think this is an underrated ASX share.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

The US share market has a lot of great businesses and some Australians may be missing out on investment exposure if they don’t have any money allocated to that market.

The MOAT exchange-traded fund (ETF) allows Aussies to invest in a portfolio of around 50 US businesses that are judged to have economic moats, or competitive advantages, that are expected to (probably) endure for at least 20 years.

There are always good investments out there, but with the local and global share market trading at near all-time highs, it could be prudent to be more selective with what we by.

This exchange-traded fund only invests in the great businesses once Morningstar analysts think the businesses are trading at good value.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne provides enterprise software to local councils, governments, businesses, universities and other education providers.

The TechnologyOne share price has dropped around 30% in the last six months, making this investment an appealing opportunity right now, in my view.

The ASX share is targeting $1 billion of annual recurring revenue (ARR) by FY30, with this being driven by providing better software options for existing clients (and generating more revenue from them) and winning new subscribers. For example, it recently won two London councils, which bodes well for future wins in the UK.

With expectations of growing profit margins and geographic expansion, I think the ASX share has a very promising future and is well worth a buy today with revenue and profit regularly rising at a mid-teen growth rate in percentage terms.

The post Where I’d invest $10,000 in 2026 in ASX shares aiming to beat the market appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• How to make $20,000 of passive income from ASX shares
• $20,000 in excess savings? Here’s how to try and turn that into a second income in 2026
• Buy, hold, sell: Aristocrat, James Hardie, and TechnologyOne shares
• 10 excellent ASX ETFs to buy in 2026
• 5 ASX shares I want to buy in 2026

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Breville, Guzman Y Gomez, Technology One, Temple & Webster Group, Tuas, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Berkshire Hathaway, Technology One, Temple & Webster Group, and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Company Limited. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Berkshire Hathaway, Technology One, Temple & Webster Group, and VanEck 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.