Some businesses make long-term investing feel relatively straightforward.

They have clear opportunities to keep expanding, established positions in their markets, and reasons to believe they could be considerably larger a decade from now.

If I could only check my portfolio once a year, these are three ASX shares I would be comfortable owning.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

ResMed would be my first pick because sleep health is a market I expect to keep growing for many years.

The company is best known for its devices and masks used to treat obstructive sleep apnoea. Millions of people already use its products, but a huge number of people around the world remain undiagnosed or untreated.

That gives ResMed plenty of people still to reach.

I also like what happens after someone begins treatment. Masks and other accessories need replacing regularly, creating an ongoing relationship rather than a one-off equipment sale.

Its latest results show that demand remains strong. ResMed’s fourth-quarter revenue increased by 9%, supported by its sleep devices, masks and accessories.

The company is also investing in digital health to help patients remain on therapy. I think combining connected devices, software and replacement products can strengthen those customer relationships over time.

For me, ResMed is a business that could quietly keep growing as more people receive treatment for sleep-related conditions.

TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)

TechnologyOne is another share I would happily leave alone for long periods.

Its software is used by councils, universities, government organisations and other institutions to manage important everyday functions.

Once one of these organisations has built its operations around TechnologyOne’s software, changing systems can involve considerable time, disruption and retraining. Meanwhile, the company continues improving what existing customers can do through the platform.

TechnologyOne’s SaaS+ model takes this further by giving the company greater responsibility for implementing and operating its software for customers.

I think its expansion outside Australia could be particularly important over the next decade. UK annual recurring revenue reached $53 million in the first half of FY26, up 23%. That figure caught my attention because it shows TechnologyOne is gaining traction in another large market rather than relying solely on its established Australian customer base.

Artificial intelligence could give customers another reason to deepen their use of the platform, with TechnologyOne investing in technology that can automate tasks inside its software.

There should be plenty more runway if the company can repeat its Australian success overseas.

Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL)

Coles may seem like the least exciting company of the three, but I wouldn’t let that put you off.

Australians need groceries every week, giving Coles an enormous base of recurring customer demand and defensive earnings.

The business is also changing behind the scenes. Coles has invested heavily in automated distribution centres and customer fulfilment centres, which can make the supply chain more efficient while helping it handle growing online demand.

Ecommerce sales increased by 27% during the first half of FY26, with volumes through its automated fulfilment centres continuing to grow.

I think that shows Coles can continue evolving even in a mature industry.

The company also owns valuable customer relationships through Flybuys and is developing its retail media operations, creating more ways to earn from the enormous amount of shopping activity already passing through its stores and websites.

For a long-term holding, I like that combination of everyday demand and gradual improvement.

Foolish takeaway

I like all three because I can see a reason to stay patient with them through the inevitable market noise.

If the underlying businesses keep progressing, I think these are the sort of shares that could reward investors for simply giving them time.

The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy if I could only check my portfolio once a year appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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• 8 ASX 200 shares with fresh buy ratings this week

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

Shares in Iress Ltd (ASX: IRE) have been heavily sold off this week following the company’s results announcement, begging the question, are they now looking cheap?

The analyst team at Morgans certainly think so, with a buy recommendation on the shares and a share price target which has some serious upside.

We’ll get to that shortly. First, let’s look at what Iress announced.

Solid results but weaker than expected

The financial data company said on Monday that it had delivered a “solid” result, with improved earnings quality driven by disciplined execution.

Net profit came in at $32 million for the first half, up 85% on the same period in the previous year, while underlying net profit was up 18.4% to $38.8 million.

For the continuing business, revenue increased 2.5% on a constant currency basis to $250 million.

Iress declared a first-half dividend of 14 cents, up 27.3%.

The company’s Managing Director Andrew Russell said of the result:

Execution has shifted from simplifying the business to investing in product evolution and sustainable growth. We are evolving our products, accelerating engineering capability and increasing delivery velocity through our partnership with Thoughtworks and the disciplined adoption of AI. While revenue growth is expected to remain measured in the near term, we are confident in our strategy and in delivering our FY26 Cash EBITDA margin exit run-rate target of 25%. Our focus is on building a higher quality software business with better products, stronger customer relationships and disciplined capital allocation to create sustainable long-term value.

For the full year, the company is expecting to grow underlying profit by 15% to 21%.

Shares in this ASX technology company looking cheap

The Morgans team said the result was softer than expected, “with slower revenue momentum along with currency headwinds the main drivers”.

The broker added:

IRE has executed on stabilising the business over recent years. Further efficiency plans are now underway; however, improving the customer proposition and new product initiatives are required to drive organic revenue growth. We view IRE’s earnings base as more defendable and free cash flow as largely improving. Corporate appeal adds to the investment case.

Morgans said that Iress had delivered on annualised cost savings of $31.5 million ahead of schedule, and was targeting another $6 to $9 million in savings in the second half.

Morgans reduced its price target for Iress from $10.35 to $9.65. This is still 44.4% higher than the current share price of $6.68.

The broker expects Iress to pay a full-year dividend yield of 4% this year, rising to 4.7% by 2028.

Iress is valued at $1.31 billion.

The post After a steep fall on results, this ASX technology stock could be 40% undervalued appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Iress half-year earnings: Higher profits, bigger dividend, AI push
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

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.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are flat at 9,072 points as earnings season continues on Tuesday.

The benchmark index is experiencing a strong start to the new financial year.

Just seven weeks into FY27, and the ASX 200 is already up 3.3%.

That compares to a 2.8% rise over the whole of FY26 (total return, including dividends, of 7%).

Two of the drivers are the healthcare and technology sectors, which are recovering from extended slumps.

Healthcare shares are up 17% so far in FY27, while tech is up 8%.

An increasing number of Australians are turning to ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to make investing easier.

ASX ETFs provide exposure to a basket of stocks, thereby enabling great diversification in a single trade.

They’re also an easy way to gain exposure to international shares via our local exchange.

In today’s rising market, Andrew Wielandt from DP Wealth Advisory has recommended two ETFs to buy.

On The Bull this week, Wielandt explains his recommendations.

Betashares Global Royalties ETF (ASX: ROYL)

The ROYL ETF is $13.89, up 0.3% on Tuesday and up 15% over 12 months.

Wielandt explained his buy rating:

ROYL is a diverse exchange traded fund operating across a number of countries, including the United States, Canada, Brazil and Denmark.

It holds about 40 companies, with investments including ARM Holdings PLC, Texas Pacific Land Corporation and Wheaton Precious Metals at August 11, 2026.

ROYL focuses on companies earning royalty and intellectual property income.

What appeals is relatively steady returns compared to other cyclical investments.

The company posted a return of 15.59 per cent after fees in the past 12 months to July 31, 2026.

Munro Climate Change Leaders Fund Active ETF (ASX: MCCL)

The MCCL ETF is $18.14, up 0.9% today and up 7% over 12 months.

Wielandt discusses his buy recommendation:

This exchange traded fund holds a concentrated portfolio of companies aiming to benefit from decarbonisation during the next decade.

The ETF holds between 15 and 25 positions involved in clean energy, clean transport and energy efficiency.

The fund posted a return of 16.9 per cent for the 12 months to July 31, 2026.

However, given its highly concentrated nature, it’s important to note that returns can be volatile.

In our view, MCCL can also be considered an investment in the future and can be part of a balanced portfolio.

I hold MCCL in my self-managed super fund (SMSF).

Best ASX ETFs of FY26

Check out the 6 best ETFs holding ASX shares of FY26 here.

You can also review the 6 best international ETFs of FY26 here.

The post 2 ASX ETFs to buy as the market gathers strength: expert appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 Arm Holdings. 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.