Not all exchange traded funds (ETFs) are built the same.

Some simply track broad indices, while others take a more selective approach by focusing on businesses with strong fundamentals.

With that in mind, here are three ASX ETFs that put quality at the centre of their strategy and could be worth considering today.

VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF (ASX: QUAL)

The first ETF that has gained a strong following is the VanEck MSCI International Quality ETF.

This fund screens global companies based on metrics such as return on equity, earnings stability, and low financial leverage. The result is a portfolio of high-quality businesses with proven track records.

Its holdings include companies like Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Visa (NYSE: V). Microsoft, for example, generates recurring revenue through its cloud platform Azure and its Office software suite, which are deeply embedded in business operations worldwide. This creates a highly predictable earnings stream and strong margins.

By focusing on these types of companies, the ETF aims to provide exposure to global leaders that can compound earnings over time. The team at VanEck recently recommended this fund.

BetaShares Australian Quality ETF (ASX: AQLT)

For investors wanting a local angle, the BetaShares Australian Quality ETF applies a similar philosophy to the Australian market.

Instead of concentrating on just the biggest companies, it selects businesses based on profitability, earnings consistency, and financial strength. This can result in a portfolio that looks quite different from the broader ASX.

Its holdings include companies such as CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA), and Goodman Group (ASX: GMG). CSL is a good example of a quality business, with a global presence in plasma therapies and vaccines, supported by significant research and development capabilities and strong margins.

This focus on high-quality Australian shares can help investors gain exposure to businesses with more resilient earnings profiles. This fund was recently recommended by analysts at Betashares.

VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)

A final ASX ETF with a quality tilt is the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF.

Rather than using financial metrics alone, this fund looks for companies with sustainable competitive advantages, or economic moats. These are businesses that can protect their market position and profitability over long periods.

Its holdings include companies like Airbnb (NASDAQ: ABNB), Boeing (NYSE: BA), and Nike (NYSE: NKE). Airbnb, for instance, dominates the short-term stays market with an accommodation network stretching across the globe.

The ETF also incorporates valuation into its process, aiming to invest in these high-quality companies when they are attractively priced.

By combining competitive advantages with valuation discipline, it offers a slightly different take on quality investing.

The post 3 amazing ASX ETFs that focus on quality appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 3 Betashares ETFs I’d buy and hold for 10 years
• 2 excellent ASX ETFs I rate as buys in March
• 3 ASX ETFs that could quietly outperform over the next 10 years
• 3 ASX ETFs for beginners starting with $5,000
• 3 ASX ETFs to weather market turmoil

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL, Goodman Group, Nike, REA Group, and VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Airbnb, Boeing, CSL, Goodman Group, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, and Visa. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Airbnb, CSL, Goodman Group, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and Visa. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Markets are facing a challenging backdrop right now.

Interest rates are rising and are expected to move higher after an escalating conflict in the Middle East pushed energy prices sharply higher. This combination is creating pressure across many parts of the market and has pushed the ASX 200 index sharply lower this month.

However, not all companies are necessarily going to be impacted negatively by these conditions.

For example, listed below are two ASX shares that could be better positioned in the current environment.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The first ASX share that stands out in the current environment is Woodside Energy.

The company is Australia’s largest listed oil and gas producer and generates the majority of its earnings from global energy markets.

With oil prices now trading above US$100 per barrel, energy producers like Woodside are likely to be benefiting greatly and generating significant cash flow from its operations. This can support strong dividend payments and also investment in future projects.

Woodside’s portfolio of long-life assets and global operations means it is well placed to capture the upside from elevated energy prices.

While commodity prices can be volatile, the current supply constraints and geopolitical risks could keep energy markets tight for some time.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

Another ASX share that could benefit in the current environment is Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

But rather than higher energy prices, it is rising interest rates that could benefit Australia’s largest bank.

That’s because banks typically see their net interest margins (NIMs) expand when interest rates rise, as they can earn more on loans relative to what they pay on deposits.

This can lead to higher profitability, particularly for well-capitalised banks with strong market positions.

Given that Commonwealth Bank is the largest bank in Australia and has a dominant share of the mortgage market, it arguably stands to benefit more than most.

Of course, higher interest rates can slow lending growth over time. But as long as they don’t trend too high, this banking giant should be positioned to continue growing ahead of system thanks to its dominant position in the market.

In the current environment, this could help underpin further earnings and dividend growth for the banking giant.

The post 2 ASX shares that could benefit from rising interest rates and oil prices appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Pulse check: How are the top 10 ASX 200 shares performing amid a new war?
• How I’d build a world-class ASX passive income portfolio
• Woodside vs Santos: Which ASX energy stock is the best fit for your portfolio?
• These 3 ASX ETFs can help protect your portfolio in 2026
• 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in Woodside Energy Group Ltd. 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.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended what has been a brutal week of trading with another loss this Friday.

After yesterday’s horrid 1.7% drop, investors weren’t in the mood to turn the ship around today. The ASX 200 spent the entire session in the red and ended up closing down 0.82%. That leaves the index at 8,428.4 points as we head into the weekend.

This not-so-nice end to the trading week for Australian investors follows a similarly downbeat morning on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn’t hold water, falling 0.44%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) only managed a slightly better performance, dropping 0.28%.

Time now to get back to the local markets and take a closer look at what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this Friday.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 top ASX share picks to buy
• How I’d build a world-class ASX passive income portfolio
• Viva Energy welcomes government boost to refinery support
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• Which fast-growing Aussie furniture brand is about to list on the ASX?

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen 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 Technology One and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Betashares Crude Oil Index Currency Hedged Complex ETF (ASX: OOO) has surged 45% in 30 days.

The tailwind for this ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF), of course, is skyrocketing oil prices due to the war in Iran.

Over the past 30 days, the Brent crude oil price has ripped 49% higher to US$107 per barrel on Friday.

The US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price is up 41% at US$94 per barrel at the time of writing.

The key factor pushing up oil prices is the effective shut down of the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for about 20% of global oil supply.

Since the war broke out on 28 February (US time), many Middle Eastern oil and gas producers have curbed or ceased production.

It’s either too dangerous to continue operating, or their storage tanks are full because hundreds of container ships are at a standstill.

On top of that, both Israel and Iran have bombed energy infrastructure across the region this week.

Iran targeted one of the world’s largest LNG export plants in Qatar, while Israel attacked the South Pars gas field in Iran.

Oil prices are weaker today after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would not attack any more energy assets.

Prime Minister Netanyahu also said the war could end sooner than expected, given Iran’s reduced capacity to enrich uranium now.

What is OOO ETF?

This ASX ETF seeks to track the S&P GSCI Crude Oil Index Excess Return, hedged against AUD/USD currency movements.

It gives investors exposure to WTI crude oil futures, not the spot price.

Betashares explains the difference:

The price of oil futures contracts is not the same as the “spot price” of oil. As such, OOO does not aim to, and should not be expected to, provide the same return as the performance of this spot price.

The performance of an ETF that is linked to oil futures may be materially different to the performance of the spot price of oil itself.

This is because the process of “rolling” from one futures contract to the next to maintain investment exposure can result in either a cost or benefit to the Fund, affecting returns.

OOO ETF is fully backed by cash, which is held in bank accounts with a third-party custodian for the benefit of unitholders.

Record day for ASX ETF

Betashares Senior Investment Strategist, Cameron Gleeson, says OOO offers ASX investors the most direct exposure to oil prices.

However, he notes the inherent volatility of oil-linked investments, commenting:

This ETF produced a record 1 day ETF price gain on 9 March 2026, when oil shot up to nearly US$120 per barrel and Australian equities experienced their largest fall since COVID.

However, OOO also fell by nearly as much the following day and has been very volatile during this episode, highlighting the risk of oil-linked exposures.

Data from online investment platform Stake shows OOO has been the fifth most traded ASX ETF among Aussie investors this month.

Long-term track record

Since inception in November 2011, this ASX ETF has delivered a negative 10.23% average annual return.

Over five years, the average annual return is 11.38%.

The management fee and costs total 1.29%.

The OOO ETF is trading 2.8% lower at $8.60 per unit on Friday.

The post $10,000 invested in this ASX ETF a month ago is now worth $14,500 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Portfolio strategies for 2 potential Middle East scenarios – Expert
• Up 30% in a month: Is it too late to buy the BetaShares Crude Oil ETF (OOO)?
• Oil slumps to US$83 per barrel. Here’s what is driving the sharp pullback
• Oil tumbles after nearing US$120. Here’s why prices are pulling back
• Oil rockets past US$100 as Iran war escalates. This ASX oil ETF is surging

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 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.

The Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) share price has been sinking in recent weeks.

At the time of writing, the defence shipbuilder’s shares are down 1.25% to $4.73. This leaves the stock down 20% over the past month and not far above its 52-week low of $4.04 reached during the March 2025 market sell-off.

Let’s take a closer look at what has happened and whether Austal shares can turn the clock back.

A clear reset in expectations

The recent decline follows a material shift in expectations after Austal downgraded its FY26 earnings guidance.

The company revealed that its prior outlook had included an overstatement tied to incentives within its US operations. This resulted in EBIT guidance being reduced to approximately $110 million.

While the company still reported solid top-line growth in its most recent half, the downgrade has weighed on sentiment.

There are also ongoing pressures within the US business. Cost challenges and legacy contract issues continue to impact margins, even as revenue in that segment remains solid.

Share price trend remains weak

The trend in Austal shares is still pointing lower.

Over the past several months, the stock has formed a pattern of lower highs and lower lows. The recent move back toward the $4.70 range has reinforced that downward momentum.

In addition, the relative strength index (RSI) has been sitting in the lower range, pointing to weak buying interest. While it has not reached deeply oversold levels, it indicates the stock is still lacking strong support from buyers.

Key support appears near the $4 to $4.20 range, close to the previous 52-week low. On the upside, resistance may sit around $5.50, where the stock traded before the latest sell-off.

What could drive a turnaround?

Despite the recent weakness, Austal continues to operate in a sector supported by long-term demand.

The company has a $17.7 billion order book and remains exposed to rising defence spending, particularly in the United States and Australia.

In the near term, performance is likely to come down to execution rather than broader industry trends.

If the company delivers on its revised guidance and improves margins in its US operations, investor confidence may begin to recover.

Foolish Takeaway

Austal remains a sizeable defence contractor with a strong pipeline of work. However, recent events have shifted the focus back to its operational performance.

The downgrade has reset expectations, and the burden is now on management to deliver consistent results from here.

Until that happens, the market may remain hesitant.

The post Down 20% in a month, can this ASX defence stock make a turnaround? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
• These 2 lesser-known ASX defence stocks are tipped to soar
• The five worst performing ASX 200 stocks bought and held in February unmasked
• These ASX 200 shares sank 20% or more in February
• Austal shares down almost 40% in a month. Is this the bottom?

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 0.5% lower on Friday and have fallen 8% since the war in Iran broke out.

The US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on 28 February (US time) with the intention of destroying Iran’s nuclear capability.

This has caused a global fuel crunch, with oil prices skyrocketing due to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait is a crucial shipping lane for transporting oil and gas from the Middle East to markets worldwide.

On top of that, fresh missile strikes on energy infrastructure this week have further disrupted oil and gas supply chains.

These events have far-reaching ramifications for individual businesses relying on fuel to power machines and transport goods.

Higher petrol prices are already having a broader economic impact, contributing to the Reserve Bank’s call to raise interest rates this week.

Amid all this volatility, how are Australia’s top 10 ASX 200 shares faring?

Are they demonstrating resilience, or have they been caught up in the broader market sell-off?

Let’s take a look at their share price performance since the start of March.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

The Commonwealth Bank share price is $176.50, down 0.5% on Friday and up 1.1% since the war began.

Amid the market turmoil, CBA quietly reclaimed its title as Australia’s largest ASX 200 share by market capitalisation.

CBA and BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) have been passing the crown back and forth for the past few months.

On 27 February, BHP reassumed the title.

Less than three weeks later, CBA shares are back on top with more than $50 billion in market cap separating them from BHP shares.

Over 12 months, the CBA share price has lifted 21.1%.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP is the market’s largest mining share, and leads the ASX 200 materials sector.

The BHP share price is $47.56, down 1.6% on Friday and down 18.6% since the war in Iran began.

Over 12 months, BHP shares have lifted 22%, and reached a record high of $59.39 apiece last month.

ASX 200 mining shares have been the worst hit by the war, with the materials sector falling 19% so far this month.

Mining shares have fallen because higher oil prices will directly impact operating costs and potentially production, if there’s a shortage.

It is also likely that investors are taking profits after a strong 12-month run for materials amid a new longer-term mining boom in Australia.

National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)

Business lending specialist NAB is the second-largest ASX 200 bank by market capitalisation.

The NAB share price is $45.82, down 1.7% on Friday and down 6.5% since the start of the war.

Over 12 months, NAB shares have lifted 38%, and reached a record $49.45 last month.

Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) 

Westpac is Australia’s oldest bank.

The Westpac share price is $40.87, down 0.6% today and down 3.9% since the war began.

Over 12 months, the ASX 200 bank share has lifted 33%, and hit a record $43.32 last month.

ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ)

The ANZ share price is $36.78, down 0.7% on Friday and down 8.1% since the war began.

Over 12 months, ANZ shares have lifted 26% and reached a record high of $41 last month.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is the largest ASX 200 consumer discretionary share. 

The conglomerate owns household names like Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and Priceline.

The Wesfarmers share price is $73.51, down 0.2% today and down 7.7% since the start of the month.

Over 12 months, Wesfarmers shares are up 4%.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

This investment bank is the fifth-largest ASX 200 bank by market capitalisation.

The Macquarie share price is $195.70, down 0.2% on Friday and down 8.3% since the war broke out.

Over the past 12 months, Macquarie shares have fallen by 3%.

CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL is still the largest ASX 200 healthcare stock, despite a near-halving in its share price over the past 12 months.

The CSL share price is $137.88, up 2.4% today and down 6% since the war in Iran began.

Over 12 months, CSL shares have fallen 46% due to company-specific issues, including a drop in vaccination rates worldwide.

The CSL share price touched an eight-year low of $133.35 yesterday.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

Woodside is the largest ASX 200 energy share on the market.

The Woodside share price is $33.92, up 0.7% on Friday and up 19.8% since the war started.

Over 12 months, Woodside shares have increased by 48%.

The oil & gas giant has benefited from rising oil and gas prices since the war began.

Over the past 30 days, the Brent Crude oil price has soared 47% while the European gas price has skyrocketed 96%.

The Woodside share price reached a two-and-a-half-year high of $34.31 in earlier trading today.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra is the No. 1 ASX 200 communications share by market cap.

The Telstra share price is $5.31, up 0.1% on Friday and up 2.4% since the war in Iran began.

Over the past 12 months, Telstra shares have risen 28%.

On Friday, the Telstra share price reached a nine-year high of $5.35.

The post Pulse check: How are the top 10 ASX 200 shares performing amid a new war? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• Are Fortescue shares a top buy in March?
• How I’d build a world-class ASX passive income portfolio
• Woodside vs Santos: Which ASX energy stock is the best fit for your portfolio?
• Here’s how much I’d need to invest in BHP shares to generate a $100 monthly income

>Motley Fool</a> contributor href=”https://www.fool.com.au/author/TMFBronwyn/”>Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Macquarie Group, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group, CSL, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

I bought shares today.

For some of you, that might feel notable. For others, hopefully long-term members and readers, that will come as no surprise.

But let me tell you about it.

Actually, I can only tell you some things. If I told you what I bought, I’d probably be fired!

The Motley Fool has a strict trading policy which, among other things, bans me from writing or talking about the companies I’ve purchased (or sold) for two full market days either side of me making the trade.

Why? Because while I doubt very much that me doing so would make any difference to the share prices at all, it might. And the possibility, and perception, of something untoward is enough to mean it’s a no-go.

It’s a really good trading policy. Justice, as they say, not only has to be done, but has to be seen to be done, and our policy covers both.

So, because I like both my job and my paycheque, I’m going to stay on the right side of our policy!

That said, what’s the point of saying ‘I bought shares’, if I can’t tell you which ones I bought.

Well, it’s because at times like these, it can be tempting to be paralysed by geopolitics, inflation, interest rates, headlines, and a falling ASX.

Tempting to wait until the coast is clear: the war in Iran has been resolved, inflation settles, rates start falling again. Until things just… feel better.

Here’s the problem with that approach. There’s two problems, actually:

First, the coast is never truly clear. There’s always something to worry about. Some headline. Some risk. Someone predicting doom and gloom.

Second, the times when the coast feels clear, are the times when share prices tend to be at their highest – because everyone else feels the same.

But remember Warren Buffett’s words: ‘you pay a very high price in the stock market for a cheery consensus’. In other words, when everyone else is feeling good, too, there are rarely bargains to be found.

And also… those ‘what could go wrong’ times tend to precede, well, things going wrong!

Now, I also want to share what wasn’t a motivation for buying shares today.

I’m not saying this is ‘the bottom’.

I’m not saying shares can’t fall from here. Maybe even meaningfully.

I’m not saying this is some amazingly perfect time to buy.

In other words, I’m not timing the market.

I bought shares today because I have cash. And because I believe in the businesses I bought.

I bought shares today because I think that in 5, 10, and 20 years’ time, they will be worth more.

Hopefully much more.

And if I’m right about the businesses, and their future value… why wouldn’t I buy?

Oh sure, in a year’s time, I’ll be able to tell you exactly the dates I should have bought, and the prices I should have paid.

Maybe earlier, or later than today. Maybe at lower prices.

Thing is… that stuff is impossible to know in advance, and there is literally no value in beating yourself up.

The other thing? Well, if I’m right about that future value, the growth that’s coming will hopefully dwarf any nickel-and-diming over trying to guess where the bottom might be.

And in reality, you can only know where the bottom is after you’ve reached it and started climbing, so you’ll miss it anyway!

And then, how do you know the shares won’t go back down? So you wait a little longer…

And then 10%, 15% or 20% goes by. Maybe you buy then. Or maybe you don’t, because you’re cursing yourself for missing ‘the bottom’ and you’re waiting for the next one.

I mean, be my guest, but you might find that you should have just bought at reasonable prices when you had the chance.

Me? I’m buying at what I think are reasonable prices, today. What happens next is outside my control. Maybe they shoot up. Maybe they crash. Maybe nothing.

There’s no way to know, and a lot of time, effort, energy and emotion is wasted in the process of trying to guess.

I don’t know where prices will be tomorrow, next week or next month.

Investors never do.

But time is the friend of a quality business, to paraphrase Warren Buffett, especially one bought at a reasonable price.

So, I bought shares today. I’ll do it again soon.

I’ll buy again not long after that, too.

And I’ll keep doing it, regularly adding to my portfolio with my eyes not on the headlines, but on the horizon.

It’s a time-tested approach, and I suspect it’ll keep working for decades to come.

Fool on!

The post I bought shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Pulse check: How are the top 10 ASX 200 shares performing amid a new war?
• Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now
• 4 top ASX share picks to buy
• Computershare shares just hit a fresh multi-year low. What is going on?
• 3 buy-rated ASX shares in today’s falling market

Motley Fool contributor Scott Phillips 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.

It has been another busy week for many of Australia’s top brokers. This has led to the release of a number of broker notes.

Three broker buy ratings that you might want to know more about are summarised below. Here’s why brokers think these ASX shares are in the buy zone right now:

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

According to a note out of Morgan Stanley, its analysts have retained their overweight rating and $56.00 price target on this mining giant’s shares. This follows news that the Big Australian’s CEO, Mike Henry, is stepping down after six and a half years in the role. He will be replaced by Brandon Craig on 1 July. Morgan Stanley believes that the appointment of Craig is signalling strategic continuity. The broker highlights that he has significant experience with BHP and has held various leadership roles across the group. This includes strengthening BHP’s position in copper and potash in the Americas region. In light of this, Morgan Stanley appears to see the change of leadership as low-risk and expects it to be supportive of execution across key growth projects. The BHP share price is trading at $47.55 on Friday.

Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT)

A note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating and $16.75 price target on this travel agent giant’s shares. The broker has been busy looking at travel data to better understand the impact the Middle East conflict is having on Flight Centre’s business. While it concedes that estimating the impact to its earnings is very complex, it appears confident it will be less than what the Flight Centre share price decline is implying. As a result, it sees the pullback as a buying opportunity for investors. The Flight Centre share price is fetching $11.51 at the time of writing.

REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)

Another note out of Citi reveals that its analysts have retained their buy rating and $199.00 price target on this property listings company’s shares. The broker believes that the company’s higher-than-forecast price increases will offset any potential downside risk from listings softness caused by interest rate hikes and broad macro weakness. Citi notes that REA Group is expecting to increase prices by 8% to 10%, which is ahead of its 7% forecast. It also believes these strong price increases should ease concerns that competition from Domain could put pressure on pricing. The REA Group share price is trading at $158.65 this afternoon.

The post Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Pulse check: How are the top 10 ASX 200 shares performing amid a new war?
• Are Fortescue shares a top buy in March?
• How I’d build a world-class ASX passive income portfolio
• Flight Centre shares lift amid latest UK acquisition news
• Here’s how much I’d need to invest in BHP shares to generate a $100 monthly income

Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in REA Group. 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 BHP Group and Flight Centre Travel Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

There’s no shortage of opportunities on the ASX right now.

But rather than trying to chase what’s hot, I prefer to focus on businesses that are executing well, growing consistently, and have clear long-term potential.

Here are four top ASX shares that stand out to me.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma has quietly repositioned itself over the past few years.

The key driver is its merger with Chemist Warehouse, which has created a much larger and more competitive healthcare business. That added scale should help improve efficiency, strengthen supplier relationships, and support margins over time.

It also gives Sigma exposure to one of the strongest retail pharmacy brands in Australia, which I think adds a layer of quality to the story.

For me, this is a business that may not look exciting today, but could deliver steady earnings growth as the benefits of that transformation come through.

HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Another top ASX share I would buy is HUB24. It continues to stand out as one of the more consistent performers on the ASX.

Funds under administration keep growing, net inflows remain strong, and it continues to take share from competitors. That combination tells me the platform is resonating with advisers and clients.

There’s also a broader shift toward professional financial advice and platform solutions, which provides a supportive backdrop for continued growth.

In my view, HUB24 is a high-quality compounder that is benefiting from both strong execution and favourable industry dynamics.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

WiseTech has had a tougher run recently, but I think it’s still a high-quality technology business.

Its CargoWise platform plays a critical role in global logistics, and once embedded, it becomes very difficult for customers to replace. That creates sticky revenue and long-term customer relationships.

The company is also continuing to invest in product development, which should help expand its capabilities and strengthen its competitive position.

While the share price may remain volatile as AI disruption concerns linger, I see this as a business with genuine global scale and a long runway for growth.

SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR)

SiteMinder is another technology company that I think deserves attention.

It provides software that helps hotels manage bookings, pricing, and distribution across multiple channels, effectively sitting at the centre of their revenue operations.

What I like is that it is now combining solid growth with improving profitability, which is an important step for any software business.

There’s also a clear opportunity to deepen its relationship with customers by expanding the range of products it offers, which could support revenue growth over time.

To me, SiteMinder looks like a company that is still early in its journey, with a large addressable market and increasing momentum.

Foolish takeaway

These aren’t the only ASX shares I’d consider buying right now, but they’re four that stand out as top picks for different reasons.

Sigma offers a transformation story, HUB24 continues to deliver consistent growth, WiseTech has global scale, and SiteMinder is building a strong position in hotel technology.

Together, they reflect the kind of quality and growth I’d be looking for in a long-term portfolio.

The post 4 top ASX share picks to buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Bell Potter’s top ASX 200 holdings revealed
• 3 quality ASX shares to buy and hold until 2036
• 2 ASX tech shares that could double from here
• Has the WiseTech stock finally hit rock bottom?
• The bulls are coming: 2 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy now to get ahead

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24, SiteMinder, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended SiteMinder and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) share price is heading south yet again on Thursday.

At the time of writing, the financial administration company’s shares are down 0.93% to $27.77, after slipping to a new multi-year low of $27.76 earlier in the session. By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is also in the red by 0.5%.

The latest move adds to a difficult stretch for investors, with the Computershare stock now trading lower for 7 straight sessions.

Selling pressure continues to build

Looking at the charts, Computershare shares have been trending lower for some time.

Over the past year, the stock has steadily declined, and the move to fresh lows suggests that selling pressure remains in place. The chart shows a clear pattern of lower highs and lower lows, pointing to weak momentum.

Short-term indicators also reflect this. The relative strength index (RSI) has been sitting in the lower range, highlighting a lack of buying support in recent sessions.

While the decline has not been significant on any single day, the steady run of losses indicates sellers remain in control.

Interest rate expectations remain a key factor

One of the main drivers of Computershare’s earnings is the interest it earns on client balances.

Recent shifts in central bank expectations seem to be weighing on sentiment. Markets are increasingly factoring in the likelihood of rate cuts across major economies, including the United States.

This change in outlook could reduce support from one of the company’s more important earnings streams.

Market conditions also playing a role

Equity markets have been volatile in recent weeks amid ongoing uncertainty over inflation, economic growth, and geopolitical developments.

This has led to a shift in positioning, with investors moving toward more defensive areas of the market.

Computershare delivered strong returns in prior years, so some investors may be taking profits or reducing exposure as conditions change.

A large global platform

Despite the recent share price decline, Computershare remains a major global provider of shareholder and corporate administration services.

The company operates across multiple regions, including Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. Its services include share registry operations, corporate trust, employee share plans, and mortgage servicing.

Its global footprint means earnings are tied to corporate activity, market conditions, and interest rate movements.

Foolish Takeaway

The Computershare share price is now trading at multi-year lows, reflecting ongoing weakness in sentiment and economic expectations.

While the business continues to operate across global markets, interest rates and market conditions are likely to remain key drivers from here.

The post Computershare shares just hit a fresh multi-year low. What is going on? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX shares that could benefit from rising interest rates
• Computershare shares fall to a 2-year low. Is this the bottom?
• 3 ASX 200 shares trading well below brokers’ targets

Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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.