Many investors were spooked by the March bear market. ASX share prices were hammered across most sectors and even experienced players were worried. So, how can you position your portfolio for another ASX share market crash?
How to position your ASX share portfolio for another market crash
I think portfolio construction can sometimes be overcomplicated. In the end, it's all about cash flow which flows through to valuation and growth.
Normally, when the market is volatile, cash is king. There's a '"bird in the hand" theory, that returns today in the form of dividends are worth more than future returns from promised growth.
However, we've almost seen the opposite in 2020 thanks to the 'two-speed' economy. Growth shares like Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) and Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) have outperformed the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) by some margin.
That might tempt some investors to go all-in on growth and do away with ASX blue-chip dividend shares. I won't be following that trend as I think diversification is really the key here.
If we see another market crash, I'd like to have a bit of gold exposure in my portfolio. ASX gold shares have been surging as investors' hawkishness continues to push global gold prices higher.
Given the potential mega-merger announced in recent weeks, I think the Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) share price is worth a look. The Northern Star share price is up 44.3% this year and could climb higher if we see another ASX market crash.
I also think a non-cyclical blue-chip share is good to have. That means I'd probably look to buy something like Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) for stable earnings and dividends through another period of volatility.
Finally, it's worth thinking longer-term. The federal budget signalled that infrastructure could be the ticket out of the current recession. That means I'm looking at major construction and infrastructure groups for potential earnings on the back of juicy government contracts.
I think a major provider like Lendlease Group (ASX: LLC) could be worth buying as a speculative play for some growth and income upside in another ASX market crash.
No one has a crystal ball, so these are just a few shares I'd like to buy in the next downturn. Until we see another ASX market crash, however, I'm happy to sit tight with my current portfolio.
