Buying your first few ASX shares can feel overwhelming when there are thousands of companies to choose from.

For a beginner, I would keep things fairly simple and focus on established businesses that are easy to understand and have strong long-term prospects.

These five would be high on my list.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Macquarie would be one of the first shares I would consider.

The company operates across areas including asset management, infrastructure, commodities, financial markets, banking, and advisory.

For a beginner, I think that provides an interesting introduction to a financial business that looks quite different from the major Australian banks.

Macquarie earns money from managing assets for clients, helping businesses manage commodity and financial risks, lending, and providing other financial services around the world.

That gives the company several ways to grow as its operations expand.

Earnings can move around from year to year, so I would not expect a perfectly smooth ride. But for someone investing with a long-term view, I think Macquarie is a high-quality business with plenty of opportunity still ahead of it.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths is another ASX share I think beginners should consider.

Most Australians are familiar with its supermarkets and the role they play in everyday spending.

Grocery demand is also fairly dependable. People may cut back on discretionary purchases when budgets become tighter, but they still need food and household essentials.

I think Woolworths also has opportunities to grow through population growth, online shopping, and continued improvements across its stores and supply chain.

The company pays dividends as well, which can give new investors another way to see how owning shares can generate returns over time.

Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS)

Telstra would add a more defensive element.

Mobile phones and internet connections have become essential services for households and businesses, giving Telstra recurring demand through different economic conditions.

The company has also made sustainable dividend growth an important part of its plans.

I would not expect Telstra to deliver spectacular growth every year. But I think there is value in owning a business with dependable demand, established infrastructure, and regular cash returns to shareholders.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

ResMed would give beginners stronger growth potential.

The company develops devices, masks, and software for sleep apnoea and respiratory care.

I like how large the opportunity remains. Sleep apnoea is significantly underdiagnosed and undertreated globally, leaving ResMed with plenty of potential patients still to reach.

There is also recurring demand after someone begins treatment because masks and other accessories need replacing over time.

For a beginner, I think ResMed offers a good introduction to owning an ASX share with a genuinely global business.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

BHP would round out my five picks.

The mining giant gives investors exposure to commodities including iron ore and copper, which remain important to construction, manufacturing, electrification, and infrastructure.

BHP’s earnings can change significantly as commodity prices move, which is worth understanding before investing.

At the same time, its scale, strong balance sheet, and long-life assets make it one of the more established ways to gain exposure to the resources sector.

The company can also return substantial cash to shareholders when conditions are strong.

Foolish takeaway

I think all five companies give beginners something different to learn about investing.

Macquarie provides exposure to global financial markets, Woolworths and Telstra have businesses built around regular household demand, ResMed brings international healthcare growth, and BHP introduces the commodity cycle.

For someone researching their first few ASX shares, I think each is a sensible place to start.

The post 5 ASX shares I’d recommend to beginners appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Commonwealth Bank Of Australia and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed and Telstra Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Retirement investing does not have to be all about chasing the highest dividend yield.

I would still want businesses that can grow over time, while also providing some income along the way.

These three ASX shares would be on my list.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)

Wesfarmers is one of the first ASX shares I would consider.

The group owns businesses including Bunnings, Kmart, Officeworks, and Priceline, giving it several sources of earnings across different parts of the Australian economy.

For retirement investors, I like the combination of established businesses and room for further growth.

Bunnings has built a powerful position in home improvement, while Kmart continues to benefit from its focus on affordable products. Wesfarmers also has the financial strength to invest in existing businesses or pursue new opportunities when management sees attractive returns.

The company has also paid dividends consistently over many years.

Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)

CBA would give me a more traditional source of income.

The bank generates substantial profits from its large customer base across home lending, deposits, business banking, and other financial services.

That has allowed it to return significant amounts of cash to shareholders through fully franked dividends.

Australian banking is a mature industry, so I would not expect rapid earnings growth.

But for retirement, I would be comfortable owning a high-quality business capable of producing substantial cash flow while still gradually increasing earnings over time.

CBA is rarely the cheapest bank on the ASX, but I would be willing to pay a little more for what I think is the strongest banking business in Australia.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma would be the more growth-focused choice of the three ASX shares.

Following its combination with Chemist Warehouse, the company now has exposure to one of Australia’s best-known pharmacy brands alongside a major pharmaceutical distribution operation.

I think there are several ways the business can become larger over the next decade.

Chemist Warehouse continues to expand its store network, while international markets such as New Zealand and the United Kingdom provide additional room for growth.

Sigma can also benefit from the wider pharmacy ecosystem, including distribution, retail sales, online channels, and relationships with suppliers.

While its dividend yield is not the largest, if the company can expand earnings over time, there should be greater scope for shareholder returns to increase.

Foolish takeaway

For me, retirement would not mean giving up on growth.

I would want some dependable income, but I would also want businesses capable of becoming more valuable over the years ahead.

Wesfarmers, CBA, and Sigma each offer a different balance between those two goals, which is why I would be comfortable considering any of them for a long-term retirement portfolio.

The post 3 ASX shares I’d buy for income and growth in retirement appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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

James Hardie Industries Plc (ASX: JHX) shares are showing a little more life on Thursday.

The James Hardie share price is up 0.29% to $37.41 in late morning trade, but that barely dents its recent losses.

The stock has fallen almost 15% over the past month and more than 8% in a week, although it is still up around 21% in 2026.

Wednesday was particularly rough, with the shares dropping 5.23% after the company held its 2026 Investor Day.

Management reckons the company can keep growing strongly even if the US housing market stays weak.

But can it actually pull that off?

The US market remains difficult

The backdrop in the United States is still pretty tough.

US homebuilder sentiment fell to a 12-month low in September, while the average 30-year mortgage rate recently hit 6.76%.

Existing home sales also dropped 2% in August to an annualised rate of 3.98 million, the lowest level in 14 months.

That’s not exactly ideal when North America is still the biggest part of James Hardie’s business.

But management isn’t banking on cheaper mortgages or a housing rebound to drive growth.

At its Investor Day, James Hardie said it is targeting organic growth of 4% to 7% above the market over the longer term.

And the company reckons it can get there even if housing conditions stay weak.

Growth is still holding up

James Hardie’s first-quarter numbers suggest the plan is already starting to show through.

Q1 FY27 revenue rose 64% to US$1.48 billion, while pro-forma sales increased 12%.

North American fibre cement sales also grew 20% organically during the quarter, even with US housing still struggling.

That’s probably the number I’d be paying closest attention to from here.

If James Hardie can keep growing ahead of the housing market, it takes some of the pressure off waiting for a full recovery.

Can it keep this going?

The next few results should give investors a better idea of whether James Hardie can keep this up.

So far, the early signs are encouraging.

At $37.41, the shares are well below their August high of $44.12, despite the business still moving in the right direction.

If James Hardie can keep growing ahead of the wider housing market, I think investors could start looking at the stock a little differently.

And if US housing eventually improves as well, that would give the company another reason to keep growing.

The post James Hardie says it doesn’t need a US housing recovery. Can it prove it? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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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.