Top 3 ASX shares I’d buy after the most recent sell-off

The ASX shares most attractive to own are usually cheapest at the moment the market is least comfortable.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has slipped from an August peak of 9,282 points to around 8,901.

That is a fall of roughly 4% in a month.

Around 120 companies in the index were in the red on Wednesday, creating opportunities for investors looking to get in cheap.

Why the sell-off has created opportunities in ASX shares

The cause is relatively simple: Macquarie now expects the Reserve Bank to lift the cash rate by 25 basis points later this month.

The broker noted that trimmed mean inflation has spent 17 of the last 20 quarters above the target band.

The cash rate already sits at 4.35% after three increases this year.

Higher rates compress the multiple investors will pay for future earnings, although they may not automatically damage the earnings themselves.

With that in mind, here are three ASX shares that look a lot cheaper now that the broader market has sold off.

1. Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO)

Judo Capital closed Wednesday at 99.5 cents, down almost 40% over twelve months.

Shares crashed 46% in a single session in June after the bank flagged three problem exposures and cut guidance.

The result that followed was better than the recent share price moves suggest, although increases in credit delinquencies have been a drag for the company.

FY26 statutory net profit rose 29% to $111.1 million.

Profit before tax climbed 34% to $168.1 million.

Gross loans and advances grew 18% to $14.7 billion while deposits jumped 24% to $12.2 billion.

The net interest margin widened 20 basis points to 3.13%.

Chief executive Chris Bayliss did reference particular credit issues in his speech:

FY26 has been another year of genuine momentum for Judo. While the increase in specific provisions late in the year was disappointing, the underlying performance of the Bank has remained strong, with record revenue, continued operating leverage, strong deposit growth and lending at the top end of guidance.

FY27 guidance calls for profit before tax of $210 million to $220 million, whereas the average broker target of $1.51 implies roughly 50% upside.

2. South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)

South32 is the odd one out here.

The company’s shares hit a fresh 52-week high of $5.32 on Wednesday and are up 103% over twelve months.

Not every holding bought during a sell-off has to be a bargain.

South32 earns US dollars from copper, zinc and silver, which is a completely different driver to the domestic rate cycle.

FY26 underlying earnings rose 55% to US$1.03 billion and underlying EBITDA grew 28% to US$2.46 billion. Meanwhile, total dividends lifted 55% to 9.3 US cents per share, fully franked.

Chief executive Matt Daley explained where the business is heading.

The sale of our aluminium value chain assets to Alcoa will simplify and strengthen our portfolio, positioning South32 as a leading base metals focused company with high-margin assets and a pipeline of compelling growth options in copper, zinc and silver.

3. Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)

Life360 closed at $19.64 and are down 60.6% over twelve months.

On the positive side, second quarter revenue rose 38% to US$159.0 million and adjusted EBITDA increased 53% to US$31.1 million. Monthly active users passed 102.4 million and advertising revenue reached US$22 million.

The company holds US$467.7 million in cash and guides FY26 revenue to US$650 million to US$685 million.

The shares fell anyway, because investors had priced in a bigger guidance upgrade.

Foolish takeaway

A 4% pullback is not a crash.

But what this pullback has done is separate the multiple from the earnings across much of the market at once.

All three of these ASX shares grew earnings materially in FY26, and two have been sold down heavily regardless.

For ASX investors, this could be a unique buying opportunity.

The post Top 3 ASX shares I’d buy after the most recent sell-off appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Life360 shares are 60% below broker targets. Here’s why
• Brokers rate these 5 ASX shares as a strong buy, and tip upsides of 28% to 62%
• South32 shares reach fresh 52-week high: Can they keep climbing?
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• Buy, hold, sell: Medibank Private, Ansell, South32 shares

Motley Fool contributor Mark Verhoeven 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 Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Life360. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.