Why I would invest $10,000 in these cheap ASX shares

Periods of sharp share price declines are uncomfortable, but they are often where long-term opportunities begin to emerge. When high-quality businesses fall 25% to 35% from their highs, it is usually worth asking whether the market is pricing in permanent damage, or simply a tough phase in the cycle.

If I had $10,000 to invest today and was deliberately looking for value on the ASX, here are three beaten-down shares I would seriously consider.

James Hardie Industries Plc (ASX: JHX)

James Hardie shares are down roughly 35% over the past 12 months, largely reflecting concerns around US housing activity and the major acquisition of AZEK. That weakness has fed directly into sentiment, even though the long-term fundamentals of the business remain intact.

James Hardie is still the dominant player in fibre cement products in North America, with strong brand recognition and pricing power over time. While volumes can fluctuate with housing cycles, repair and remodel activity tends to be more resilient than new builds, which provides some buffer during slower periods.

If US housing conditions stabilise or improve over the next couple of years and the AZEK acquisition is successful, I think James Hardie shares could re-rate meaningfully.

ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB)

ARB shares are down around 32% since last January. A decent part of this decline has occurred this month following a disappointing trading update. Earnings in the first half were weaker than expected, reflecting softer group sales, margin pressure from currency movements, and lower factory recoveries.

This was clearly not a good result, and it explains the market’s reaction. However, I think it is important to separate short-term earnings softness from long-term business quality.

This ASX share still operates a high-return, vertically integrated 4×4 accessories business with a strong balance sheet and net cash. While domestic aftermarket demand has softened alongside weaker new vehicle sales, there are signs that this may represent a cyclical low rather than a structural decline.

Looking ahead, there are growth tailwinds that remain in place. This includes continued strength in the US, new OEM launches, network upgrades, and an ecommerce rollout. If these play out as expected, ARB could return to a sustainable growth trajectory, supporting a recovery in its share price.

CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR)

CAR Group shares are down about 25% over the past 12 months, despite the business continuing to generate strong cash flows and operate market-leading automotive classifieds platforms across multiple regions.

The pullback appears to reflect valuation compression rather than a collapse in fundamentals. Advertising markets have been uneven, and investors have become more cautious toward premium-priced growth stocks. That said, CAR Group still benefits from dominant market positions, network effects, and a highly scalable digital model.

Over time, as vehicle markets normalise and pricing power reasserts itself, CAR Group is well placed to compound earnings. I think the share price weakness provides an opportunity to access that quality at a more reasonable entry point than was available a year ago.

Foolish takeaway

Each of these ASX shares share something important in common. They are high-quality businesses experiencing a difficult phase, rather than a broken business facing terminal decline.

If I were investing $10,000 today with a long-term mindset, I would be comfortable spreading that capital across opportunities like these, where expectations are low, sentiment is weak, and the potential for recovery is not being fully priced in.

The post Why I would invest $10,000 in these cheap ASX shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino 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 ARB Corporation. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation and CAR Group Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.