It's been a wild ride for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and ASX shares recently.
The index has lost more than 2.8% in the past month, but on Thursday it had a massive gain of almost 1.6%.
Where is the market going? Nobody knows.
If you're bewildered about what to do next, some expert opinions might get you started.
This week 2 experts picked out 2 ASX shares each that they thought were ripe for buying right now.
Judge for yourself whether these 4 suggestions tempt you:
Special dividends and buybacks on the cards for Telstra
Ord Minnett senior investment adviser Tony Paterno is high on Australia's largest telco, Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS).
"Management is targeting mid single-digit growth in underlying operating earnings to fiscal year 2025," he told TheBull.com.au.
"It expects increasing earnings to be driven by mobile service revenue growth, improving consumer and small business fixed margins and further cost reductions."
Telstra shares have already gained more than 30% this year. But Paterno is excited about more returns forthcoming to shareholders.
"Expect fully franked dividends to remain at a minimum of 16 cents a share," he said.
"Telstra plans to return any excess cash flow to shareholders – in the absence of merger and acquisition opportunities – via an unfranked special dividend, or further on-market share buybacks."
Aussie Aussie Aussie…
Telstra's considerably smaller rival, Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB), is the other ASX share on Paterno's current hit list.
The internet service provider's stock price has risen a stunning 141% this year.
Paterno explained that management has taken advantage, recently raising $114 million through institutional investors and currently conducting a share purchase plan for retail shareholders.
"The war chest of capital is intended to fund one or more acquisitions and to accelerate the company's ambitions in the business market," he said.
"The company has signed a 10-year fibre capacity swap agreement with VicTrack in Victoria. VicTrack's fibre network will provide ABB with a shortcut to a wider distribution footprint in regional Victoria without deploying incremental capital."
Both a COVID beneficiary and post-pandemic growth contender
One of Spotee.com.au chief executive Chris Batchelor's tips is education technology provider Janison Education Group Ltd (ASX: JAN).
"It provides online assessments and e-learning solutions," he said.
"It recently acquired the global rights to 2 exams administered by schools to provide standardised testing across school-aged students."
Janison shares have had a nice run, increasing 146% over the past 12 months to leave it with a market capitalisation of $230 million.
But Batchelor is optimistic there's more to come.
"In our view, Janison is poised to generate significant growth in the years ahead. It also benefits from the pandemic, as education providers require technology-based solutions."
How about an ASX share that'll give you 33% of your money back
Security services and technology provider Ava Risk Group Ltd (ASX: AVA) was Batchelor's other buy recommendation.
"The company announced the sale of its services business and a capital return to shareholders of 16 cents a share."
Based on the share price of 48 cents after market close on Thursday, that's a 33% return for these ASX shares.
Batchelor disclosed that he personally owns Ava Risk stock.
"The existing technology business was recently trading on an undemanding price-earnings multiple of about 11 times," he said.
"Revenue and other income grew significantly in fiscal year 2021, despite the pandemic. The company's valuation multiples look attractive."
