How different the world of investing is today than it was back in March… At the time of writing, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is motoring along at 5,942 points. At these levels, we are now up more than 30% from the lows we saw in March, although still aways from the all-time highs we were seeing in February.

But some investments have done one better. Just this week, the BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) made a new all-time high. This ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracks the US Nasdaq exchange and counts some of the biggest tech companies in the world (like Microsoft and Amazon.com) as constituents.

But not all ETFs are flying so high.

Here are 3 that are still substantially below their early 2020 highs, and that might make good investments today for long-term returns:

A top global shares ASX ETF

The iShares Global 100 ETF (ASX: IOO) is an ETF that tracks the 100-largest global companies across the advanced economies of the world. These are largely made up of American shares like Apple, Microsoft, Facebook and Alphabet, but the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan and even Australia get exposure, too.

Despite the recovery in global markets since March, this ETF is still trading around $77 a unit – a fair distance from the $85+ price tag it was asking back in February. Thus, it might be a good time to consider this blue chip bastion today.

Consumer staples shares

The iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI) is another ASX fund that hasn’t yet fully recovered from the shellacking it saw in March. This ETF houses a basket of globally-listed companies that dwell in the consumer staples space. This includes makers of packaged foods, drinks, household essentials and cleaning products, as well as ‘sin stocks’ like alcohol and tobacco companies. You’ll find our own Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) here, as well as global giants like Procter & Gamble, Nestle and Unilever.

Ishares’ Global 100 units have recovered well since March. Coincidently, these shares also hover around $77, below their $85 February range. For one of the safest ETFs around (in my opinion), today could also be a good day to add this ETF to your portfolio.

Emerging markets opportunity?

The Vanguard FTSE Emerging Markets Shares ETF (ASX: VGE) is our final ETF to consider today. It tracks shares from those economies that are deemed to be ’emerging’. You’ll find shares from China, Taiwan, India and Brazil here, amongst others. These markets are riskier, but also offer potentially higher long-run returns in my opinion if demographics are anything to go by.

VGE units were asking close to $75 earlier in the year, but today are going for around $64.80. If you want to add some exotic spice to your portfolio with this ETF, today is as good a time as any in my view.

More reading

• Investing experts warn of second ASX market crash
• Australian retail sales up 16.3% in May
• 3 ASX shares I think are super cheap right now
• Brokers just upgraded these ASX 200 stocks to “buy” today
• ASX 200 up 0.9%: Big four banks rebound, Appen hits record high

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended BETANASDAQ ETF UNITS. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of COLESGROUP DEF SET, iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF, and Woolworths Limited. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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 the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) today recording yet another day of gains and, once again, pushing over 6,000 points, investors will no doubt be celebrating. The ASX 200 is now more than 30% above the lows we saw in March. And there is definitely more goodwill in the markets today than fear (from where I’m standing, anyway).

But could this be the calm before another storm, aka, an ASX market crash? Or more dramatically, are we in the eye of the storm, the calm lull between 2 tempests?

Well, that’s what a growing list of investing experts are hinting at. Today we’ve heard from 2 investing legends – Ray Dalio and Howard Marks – on the dangers they see in the markets right now.

Experts warn of danger ahead

Dalio is the most successful hedge fund manager in history and an expert on market cycles. His fund, Bridgewater Associates is the largest of its kind with hundreds of billions in assets under management.

Marks, of Oaktree Capital, is another ultra-successful hedge fund manager, respected by investors as great as Warren Buffett.

In an article by the Australian Financial Review (AFR), it’s reported that Dalio’s Bridgewater is warning of a ‘lost decade’ for global share markets:

“Even if overall profits recover, some companies will die or their shares will devalue along the way. Left with lower levels of profits and cash shortfalls, companies are likely to come out on the other side of the coronavirus more indebted.”

It’s this indebtedness that Bridgewater is warning could weigh on share market returns for years to come.

In separate reporting by AFR, the publication also quoted Howard Marks. The investor warns that the unprecedented intervention by the US Federal Reserve is the only thing currently pushing markets higher:

“[Investors have] no reason to believe the Fed insists on good value, high prospective returns, strong creditworthiness to protect it from possible defaults, or adequate risk premiums…The higher the market went, the more people believed that it was the goal of the Fed to keep it going up, and that it would be able to.”

Marks notes that passive investments and index exchange-traded funds (ETFs) are exacerbating the problem. Marks said they ‘just buy everything’, they are not value-sensitive and do not bring price discovery to the table.

What should investors make of these ASX market crash warnings?

I think all investors should take the remarks of these 2 seasoned and experienced investors seriously. Thus, I think we may see adverse consequences in the American financial markets from its government’s intervention. If this was to occur, it would almost certainly flow into ASX shares.

Therefore, I think the importance of investing prudently and at prices that make sense is as high as ever – as is keeping some cash on the sidelines.

More reading

• 3 ASX shares I think are super cheap right now
• Brokers just upgraded these ASX 200 stocks to “buy” today
• ASX 200 up 0.9%: Big four banks rebound, Appen hits record high
• Is the Downer EDI share price in the buy zone?
• Looking to buy ASX technology shares? Here are 4 to consider

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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Mesoblast limited (ASX: MSB) has been one of the standout performers on the ASX over the past three months. The company’s share price dropped as low as $1.02 on 23 March amid the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.

Since then, however, the Mesoblast share price has really soared and is currently trading at $4.18. That’s a massive 310% growth in the company’s share price in just three months. This includes a 4.5% increase so far today.

Mesoblast has become a world leader in developing allogeneic, off-the-shelf, cellular medicines. The ASX listed biotech has successfully leveraged its proprietary cell therapy technology to establish a range of commercial products and late-stage product candidates.

So, what is behind this strong recent rally in the Mesoblast share price?

Helping win the fight against coronavirus

It’s pretty likely that the recent rise of the Mesoblast share price is linked to some promising progress the company is making with its treatment for COVID-19 patients.

In early May, Mesoblast commenced Phase 2/3 trials in the United States of its remestemcel-L treatment. The trials encompassed patients with moderate to severe coronavirus symptoms who required ventilator support.

The trial achieved an 83% survival rate and reported that 75% of patients managed to come off ventilator support within a ten day period. The remestemcel-L product works by counteracting the inflammatory process in the lungs caused by COVID-19. These initial encouraging results were first revealed back in late April at a New York hospital.

Further encouraging results were revealed at the end of May. Phase 2 trial results concluded that remestemcel-L, given in four monthly intravenous doses, significantly improved the outcome for patients with inflammatory lung disease, such as that suffered by COVID-19 patients.

Strong financial performance

Mesoblast’s recent financial performance has also been strong.

The company recorded an 113% increase in overall revenues to US$31.5 million for the first 9 months of FY 2020, compared to the prior corresponding period.

Mesoblast also recorded a 127% increase from milestone revenues involving strategic partnerships.

Where to now for the Mesoblast share price?

With the Mesoblast share price rising by over 300% in the last few months, only time will tell if it can continue this strong performance moving forward. Judging by today’s price, the market is likely expecting further promising clinical trial results to come from this dual listed biotech.

More reading

• Why A2 Milk, Afterpay, Mesoblast, and Temple & Webster are pushing higher
• Why Zip Co and these All Ords shares have doubled in 12 months
• ASX 200 down 2.2%: Westpac tumbles, TPG reveals special dividend plans
• S&P quarterly rebalance: A2 Milk added to ASX 50 & NEXTDC in the ASX 100
• Here are all the ASX 200 companies that announced capital raisings in May

Motley Fool contributor Phil Harpur has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. 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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