We all know the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) market crash that we saw in March was both brutal and filled with extreme volatility. After all, the ASX 200 went from over 7,100 points to under 4,500 points in just over 1 month – a ~40% turnaround which quickly wiped out years’ worth of gains.

But research from ASX fundie Allan Gray actually proves what we were all thinking – the March market crash was the most brutal the ASX has seen since Black Monday in 1987. Not in terms of sheer losses – the GFC still comes out on top there, but in terms of market volatility.

According to Allan Gray, March 2020’s intraday stock market volatility was:

“Greater than at any other time [since 2000] and significantly exceeded the peaks during the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) between 2007 and 2009. In March this year there were nine trading days with volatility above 10%, seven of them consecutive. During the GFC there were only four days in total with greater than 10% intraday volatility and no consecutive trading days.”

Despite these extraordinary statistics, Allan Gray’s Chief Investment Officer, Simon Mawhinney, stated it wasn’t all bad news during March and investors should take advantage of volatility when it does happen:

“Volatility is your friend when investing for the long term, with the at times extreme fluctuations in price presenting excellent long-term buying opportunities. The causes of the current bout of volatility are certainly different . . . but in each of the previous bouts of market volatility, significant opportunities were presented to long-term, patient investors. It is hard to believe that this will be any different today.”

How do we invest if the ASX crashes again?

I think Allan Gray makes some great points. Yes, volatility can be extremely scary when it does occur, but it also gives us a chance to invest in ASX shares at great prices. Volatility often indicates emotion and irrationality in the markets, which is usually when shares become detached from their intrinsic value. Warren Buffett wouldn’t be nearly as rich as he is today if it weren’t for these kinds of periods.

Just think, anyone who took advantage of the volatility in the Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) share price over March would be sitting on gains close to 400% today.

Volatility never lasts, but the decisions you make during those times of high volatility do. Make them count!

More reading

• These ASX shares are set to dominate the post-COVID-19 economy
• 3 common mistakes millennials make investing in ASX shares
• This ASX growth share has rocketed 150% higher since March. Is it too late to invest?
• Why I’d buy and hold Telstra shares for a decade
• How to invest $1,000 like Warren Buffett today

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of AFTERPAY T FPO. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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The Australian share market is home to a large number of mid cap shares. The good thing about this is that mid caps generally carry less risk than small caps, but stronger potential returns than large caps.

This arguably makes it one of the best areas for investors to look for market beating returns over the next decade. But which mid cap shares should you buy?

Three that I would buy with $3,000 are listed below. Here’s why I rate them:

Bubs Australia Ltd (ASX: BUB)

Bubs is an infant formula and baby food company which has been growing at a very strong rate over the last few years. And thanks to some recent supply agreements with Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), it looks well-placed to continue this trend. While previously it was running loss-making operations, it recently revealed positive quarterly operating cashflows. I’m optimistic this means the company has now reached a scale which will make its operations more and more profitable in the coming years. As a result, I think it could be a good long term option for investors.

Opthea Ltd (ASX: OPT)

Opthea is a developer of novel biologic therapies for the treatment of eye diseases. The key attraction to the company for me is the OPT-302 combination therapy. Last year Opthea delivered very strong Phase 2b study results. If its Phase 3 trial proves just as successful, then the future could be very bright for the company. The current standard of care treatments for wet age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema had sales of over US$3.7 billion and US$6.2 billion in 2018. Another positive is that Opthea has a very strong balance sheet and appears well-funded to see OPT-302 through its trials.

Pushpay Holdings Group Ltd (ASX: PPH)

Pushpay is a fast-growing donor management platform provider for the faith, not-for-profit, and education sectors. Due to the quality of its product, Pushpay has been growing its share of the U.S. market at a rapid rate in recent years. This has led to the company’s recurring revenues increasing very strongly. The good news is that it still has a long runway for growth. Last week it revealed that it is targeting 50% of the medium to large church market. This represents a US$1 billion opportunity, which is many multiples what it achieved in FY 2020.

More reading

• ASX shares I’d invest $10,000 into today
• How to build good wealth with small investments
• Is it time to buy ASX small caps for your portfolio?
• The Pushpay share price is up 70% in 2020: Why I would still invest
• 3 ASX growth shares to buy immediately with $3,000

James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. owns shares of BUBS AUST FPO. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended PUSHPAY FPO NZX. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of COLESGROUP DEF SET. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BUBS AUST FPO. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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