If I had $2,000 to invest in ASX growth shares this July, I would be looking for businesses where the long-term opportunity looks strong and the valuation is attractive.

Here are two ASX growth shares I think tick those boxes and would consider buying today.

Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT)

Catapult Sports is a growth share I think is much more interesting than the current share price suggests.

The company provides wearable technology, video analysis, and performance software used by professional sporting teams around the world. Its technology helps coaches and performance staff understand player workload, improve training programs, analyse tactics, and make better decisions around athlete management.

What I like about Catapult is that it solves a very specific problem. Elite sports teams are constantly looking for small advantages. A better understanding of player fatigue, a more effective training session, or improved tactical analysis can influence results.

That means the technology is not just a nice addition. It can become part of how teams operate.

I also think the long-term opportunity is larger than many investors realise. Professional sport is becoming increasingly data-driven across football, rugby, basketball, American football, cricket, and many other competitions. The best teams are looking for more information, not less. This could result in growing demand for Catapult’s products over the next decade.

The shares are down around 55% from their highs, which has clearly damaged investor confidence. But I think that creates an opportunity to look beyond the short-term sentiment and focus on the underlying business.

SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

SiteMinder is another ASX growth share I think has an interesting long-term story.

The company provides technology that helps hotels manage their online presence, connect with booking channels, improve direct bookings, and manage their rooms more effectively.

I think this is a fascinating part of the travel industry because it focuses on the behind-the-scenes technology that makes bookings possible.

Hotels compete for customers every day. They need to manage pricing, availability, online channels, and customer relationships across an increasingly digital environment. SiteMinder helps simplify that process.

What I like about the company is that it sits in the middle of a major industry shift. Travel has become more technology-driven, and accommodation providers need better tools to compete.

The artificial intelligence opportunity is also interesting. As hotels look for more automation and smarter ways to manage demand, software platforms that can provide better insights and efficiency could become increasingly valuable.

The shares are down around 50% from their 52-week high, and the business still needs to prove it can deliver sustainable profitable growth. But I think the long-term opportunity remains attractive. The hotel industry is huge, and the technology behind every booking is becoming more important.

Foolish takeaway

I think Catapult and SiteMinder are two examples of growth companies where the market may be focused more on the present than the future.

Both businesses are still building their stories, and execution will remain important.

But I like companies that solve real problems in growing industries. Catapult is helping professional teams make better decisions, while SiteMinder is helping accommodation providers compete in a more digital world.

Those are the types of growth opportunities I would be happy to own for the long term.

The post 2 ASX growth shares down 50%+ that I’d buy with $2,000 in July appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• These ASX tech shares crashed hard. Could they double from here?
• How should I invest my money in FY27?
• This beaten-down ASX tech share could rise almost 50%
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Thursday
• Buy, hold, sell: Catapult Sports, Amcor, Transurban shares

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

The Universal Store Holdings Ltd (ASX: UNI) share price has seen plenty of volatility over the past year, as the chart below shows. I think it has already demonstrated it’s one of Australia’s top retail shares, and it still has significant growth potential.

Universal Store is not one of the most famous retailers on the ASX, but it’s quickly growing into an impressive force in the space.

It owns a portfolio of premium youth fashion brands, including Universal Store and Perfect Stranger and CTC (trading under THRILLS and Worship). The company operates 121 physical stores across Australia.

There are a few reasons why it looks like one of Australia’s top shares to consider for the next few years.

Solid revenue growth with great outlook

The last few years have been a tough retail environment for many operators, but Universal Store has managed to deliver strong top-line growth over the past five years.

FY26 looks like another year of strong growth for the business, particularly for its two core brands.

Its latest trading update showed group retail sales in the first 43 weeks of FY26 grew 14%, with Universal Store sales growth of 11.8% and Perfect Stranger sales growth of 39.8%. Universal Store’s like-for-like sales growth was 8.5%, and Perfect Stranger’s LFL sales growth was 12.9%.

The LFL sales growth shows the existing store network is performing strongly, while new stores are also adding significant growth for the brands. For example, Perfect Stranger currently has a store network of 26 locations and has opened seven new stores in FY26.

To be counted as one of Australia’s top shares, I think a business needs to demonstrate solid revenue growth. It ticks this box.

Rising profit margins

The business has a strong track record of growing profit margins, meaning its bottom line is rising faster than the top line. Net profit growth is essential because it’s what investors usually value a business on, and profit generation funds dividends.

For example, in the FY26 half-year results, group sales grew 14.2%, the gross profit margin increased by 150 basis points (1.50%) to 62.1%, and the underlying net profit grew by 22%.

Profit margins are expected to rise again in FY26, according to the company’s guidance. Based on the midpoint of its guidance, FY26 sales are projected to rise 11.5%, and underlying operating profit (EBITA) could grow by 15.4%.

I think rising profit margins are a key factor that helps an ASX share deliver strong shareholder returns.

Compelling shareholder metrics

The investor metrics the company trades at remain very attractive, in my opinion.

According to the projections on CMC Invest, the Universal Store is trading at less than 15x FY26’s estimated earnings, with a potential grossed-up dividend yield of 7.8%, including franking credits.

In my view, the business is undervalued and it could be a very good buy after dropping 18% since March 2026, making it one of Australia’s top shares.

The post A rare buying opportunity in 1 of Australia’s top shares? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Bell Potter names 3 Australian shares to buy
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
• 3 ASX dividend shares to buy for growing passive income
• 1 ASX dividend stock down 19% I’d buy right now
• 3 buy-rated ASX dividend shares forecast to yield 5%+ in FY 2027

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 recommended Universal Store. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Owning Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) shares has been a typical ASX blue-chip share pick for investors seeking passive income.

The ASX bank share typically trades on a relatively low price/earnings (P/E) ratio valuation and has a fairly generous dividend payout ratio.

Westpac has a lot of competition in the banking space. There are numerous ASX-listed competitors, and plenty more not listed on the ASX. Some of the largest ASX-listed banking competitors are Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB), ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ), Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG), Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ), MyState Ltd (ASX: MYS), Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) and Pepper Money Ltd (ASX: PPM).

Even though there is all of that competition, the bank still makes billions of net profit each year, which helps fund the company’s solid dividend.

For an investor who wants $10,000 of annual passive income, let’s take a look at what level of passive income Westpac is projected to pay in FY26.

ASX bank share dividend forecast

Westpac’s financial year ends in September, so we have just passed the three-quarters mark of the 2026 financial year. It will be a few months until the annual report is revealed and show what the profit figures are.

Until we know for sure what the numbers are, we can refer to what analysts have forecast the ASX bank share may be able to deliver.

According to the projection on Commsec, the ASX bank share could pay an annual dividend per Westpac share of $1.54 in FY26.

At the time of writing, that translates into a dividend yield of 4.3%, excluding franking credits.

That means, to generate $10,000 of annual passive income from Westpac in FY26, an investor would need 6,494 Westpac shares to receive that much in dividends.

Excitingly for shareholders, the bank is projected to see a 0.6% rise in its dividend per share to $1.55 in FY27.

If we focus on the forecast amount, an investor would only need 6,452 Westpac shares for $10,000 of annual passive income, excluding franking credits.

Is this a good time to invest in Westpac shares?

There are a lot of competitors that want to take market share from Westpac. It’s normal to see margins under pressure when there are challengers wanting to grow, such as Macquarie. It’s possible that Westpac’s margins could decrease in the coming years, as well as its market share, given how rapidly Macquarie is growing.

According to Commsec’s collation of analyst opinions on the business, there are currently no buy ratings, seven hold ratings and nine sell ratings.

It seems analysts are pessimistic about the ASX bank share’s future prospects right now, but I think there are opportunities out there today that could grow earnings over the the long-term.

The post How many Westpac shares do I need to buy for $10,000 of passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 7 ASX 200 shares given buy ratings this week
• Your tax rate just dropped. Here is exactly how much more you will take home from 1 July
• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• 2 ASX dividend shares with yields over 4% right now
• Here’s what brokers tip for NAB shares over the next 12 months

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Bendigo And Adelaide Bank. 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.