The coronavirus pandemic has turned the world of investing (as well as most other worlds) upside down. Although the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and the broader markets have substantially recovered from the lows we saw in March, it's still a difficult landscape in which to choose ASX shares for one's own portfolio.
We still don't know exactly which companies will be affected by the coronavirus shutdowns, how long they will be affected for and how long it will take for things to return to 'normal'.
Despite my belief that a strong recovery will eventually come, I think it's fairly safe to say that the economy won't look quite the same as it did before the pandemic struck.
So here are 2 ASX shares that I think will make great investments in a post-pandemic world:
CSL Limited (ASX: CSL)
CSL is the largest company on the ASX – and for good reason. It has grown at such a rate that its shares have more than tripled in value over the past 5 years. CSL is a leader in the global blood medicine and vaccination fields. CSL has been called upon before by the Australian government to manufacture large batches of vaccines when Swine Flu was emerging as a threat a few years ago – and its services might be required again if a vaccine for COVID-19 is found.
In fact, just today it was announced that CSL is working on an immunoglobulin therapy that has the potential to help individuals who have contracted the disease. All in all, I think CSL is a winning company – rain, hail or shine.
Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC)
Ramsay is the largest operator of private hospitals in Australia and also has a significant global presence with its operations in the UK, Indonesia and France.
This company hasn't escaped unscathed from the coronavirus crisis – suffering when the government banned all non-essential elective surgeries in preparation for the pandemic. As a result, it initiated a capital raising and suspended its dividend payments – ending a 20-year streak for the latter.
Still, I think this company has a bright post-pandemic future. As long as the coronavirus is still around, Ramsay will be playing an important role in treatment. And once we enter a post-pandemic world, the ageing demographics of our population give Ramsay a strong tailwind and should ensure its top-notch hospitals remain in strong demand for decades to come.
