Do you have $15,000 to invest?

If you do and don’t enjoy picking individual stocks, then it could be worth considering the exchange traded funds (ETFs) in this article.

They can be particularly attractive because they allow investors to access entire markets or investment strategies through a single trade.

With that in mind, here are three top ASX ETFs that investors could consider buying this October.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

The VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF could be a good option for investors who want to combine quality and value.

The fund invests in US companies that have sustainable competitive advantages, or economic moats.

These advantages can come from things such as powerful brands, high switching costs, cost advantages, intellectual property, or network effects.

It is worth noting that simply having a strong business isn’t enough to make the portfolio. The strategy also looks for companies trading at attractive prices relative to their fair value.

This means that rather than automatically owning the biggest companies in the market, the fund is trying to identify businesses capable of protecting their profits from competition while avoiding excessive valuations.

That could make the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF a top option for buy and hold investors.

iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF (ASX: IXI)

Another ASX ETF to look at is the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF.

This fund provides investors with access to consumer staples stocks from around the world.

These are businesses selling products people tend to buy regardless of what is happening with the economy, including food, beverages, household goods, and personal care products.

That can make the sector quite different from areas such as technology or discretionary retail, where demand can move around significantly as economic conditions change.

This combination of recurring demand and global operations could make the iShares Global Consumer Staples ETF a strong choice for investors looking for a more defensive form of international exposure.

Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF (ASX: VEU)

A final ASX ETF for investors to consider buying is the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF.

As its name implies, this fund invests across developed and emerging markets around the world, but deliberately leaves the United States out.

This could make it a good way to access parts of the global share market that can sometimes receive less attention than Wall Street.

It also means investors gain exposure to different industries, economic cycles, and sources of growth.

For those looking for a broad international investment without relying on US stocks, the Vanguard FTSE All-World ex-US Shares Index ETF could be worth a closer look.

The post Where to invest $15,000 in ASX ETFs in October appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Vanguard International Equity Index Funds – Vanguard Ftse All-World ex-US ETF. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended 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.

The upcoming share market listing of data centre company Firmus is shaping up to be the biggest float since Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) went public back in the 1990s, and the company’s valuation is living up to the hype.

Recent reports indicate that the Firmus initial public offer has been priced at $11 per share, valuing the company at $43.7 billion.

And while you can’t buy Firmus shares just yet, you can get exposure by buying into Maas Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: MGH).

Diversified services company leans into AI

Maas Group has been buying up Firmus shares in recent years and now owns 3.2% of the company.

Maas Group Chair Stephen Bizzell told the company’s recent annual general meeting that the company had made a considered investment in AI.

He said:

During the year and subsequent to financial year end, Maas took meaningful steps to increase its exposure to next-generation infrastructure. This included a strategic investment in Firmus Grid Limited, securing significant electrical infrastructure work supporting the development of AI and data infrastructure in Australia through JLE Group, and the acquisition of commercial property with power availability and grid proximity for future digital and energy infrastructure developments. These initiatives, together with the proposed Construction Materials divestment, represent a clear evolution in the Group’s strategic direction.

AI driving a higher valuation

Macquarie has released a new research report into Maas Group, with a conservative valuation for the company’s Firmus stake.

The broker said that the $43.7 billion valuation of Firmus implied a value of $4 per share for Maas Group’s holding, but it was currently only ascribing $1.42 per share in its valuation of the company.

Macquarie added:

MGH is in a period of transition after divesting the construction materials business and accelerating growth in its civil construction and hire and electrical businesses. Further contract awards and updates in this segment (including Firmus IPO), and strategic M&A, will be catalysts.

Macquarie increased its price target on Maas Group shares from $6.75 to $8.15, up from the current $6.76.

Maas Group also announced this week that the divestment of the construction materials business had formally been completed, and it had been paid $1.61 billion.

The company also remains entitled to receive contingency payments of up to $120 million, subject to the achievement of agreed commercial and operational milestones.

Macquarie said the deal gave Maas Group “substantial capital flexibility”, which was reflected in the company’s shareholders approving a buyback of up to 20% of its shares.

Maas Group is valued at $2.53 billion.

The post Buy this ASX share to get exposure to the Firmus IPO appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Bell Potter has released some new research reports this week, with two in particular piquing my interest.

The broker predicts that the companies in question could appreciate substantially in value over the next 12 months.

Let’s see who they like.

6K Additive Inc (ASX: 6KA)

This company’s shares have dropped 30% over the past 12 months, but the Bell Potter team seem to think a turnaround is on the cards.

Some recent news from the company was an announcement that it had executed a final loan agreement with the Export-Import Bank of the United States for a US$27.4 million secured financing facility.

The company said the loan would be used to support the ongoing expansion of its US manufacturing capacity “for critical materials used across aerospace, defense, space, energy and advanced manufacturing applications”.

6K Additive Chief Executive Officer Frank Roberts said:

Finalising this agreement with EXIM marks an important milestone for 6K Additive and reinforces the strategic importance of expanding domestic production of the critical materials essential to America’s defense and advanced manufacturing industries. This investment directly supports the Make More in America Initiative and provides 6K Additive with the funding required to execute our planned capacity expansion while preserving our existing capital to support continued growth.

Bell Potter said even prior to this announcement, the company expected to be funded to profitability.

The broker said 6K Additive had a technological competitive advantage.

They said further:

The company’s UniMelt systems are energy efficient, high yield and accept recycled metal feedstock. We expect Additive Manufacturing to be a beneficiary of the US Department of War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy to support rebuilding the country’s Defense Industrial Base. Expanded capacity should support a step-change in revenues and earnings from 2027.

Bell Potter has a speculative buy recommendation on 6K Additive shares, with a price target of $1.50, compared with 70 cents currently.

If achieved, this would be a 114% increase.

Artrya Ltd (ASX: AYA)

Bell Potter said Artrya had recently secured its fourth customer for its Salix platform, which improves the detection and management of coronary artery disease.

The broker noted that the new customer was the largest of the four customers to date, with expected scan volumes roughly equal to the other three customers combined.

Bell Potter added:

The agreement has a five-year term with a base US$0.5m contracted fee covering the five-year term (US$100k pa), plus per scan fees for Coronary Plaque and Coronary Flow (once FDA approved).

Bell Potter has a buy recommendation on Artrya shares and a price target of $6, compared with the current price of $3.08.

If achieved, this would represent a 94.8% return. Artrya is valued at $531.1 million.

The post 2 ASX stocks Bell Potter says could rise 95% and 114% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Cameron England 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.