On your own investing journey, but curious to know what ASX shares others are buying?
We asked our respected Foolish writers if they'd be willing to disclose the one holding that makes up the largest position in their individual ASX share portfolios.
Here's the selection of top holdings that four of our writers were kind — or brave — enough to share. Interestingly, two of our scribes enjoy the fruits of the same biggest holding — a well-diversified ASX dividend darling. Take a look.
My biggest ASX share portfolio holding in July 2023 (smallest to largest)
- VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT), $565.72 million
- Jumbo Interactive Ltd (ASX: JIN), $848.50 million
- Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd (ASX: SOL), $11.17 billion
(Market capitalisations as of market close 10 July 2023).
Why our Foolish writers love these ASX stocks
VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF
What it does: This ASX exchange-traded fund (ETF) tracks a concentrated portfolio of United States-based shares, which have been selected based on their possession of a 'wide economic moat' or intrinsic competitive advantage.
By Sebastian Bowen: The Wide Moat ETF is now one of the largest positions in my ASX share portfolio. I have invested a fair bit of capital in this ETF over the years, to be sure. But its breakneck growth has also helped it to become one of my largest investments.
This US-based ETF aims to hold a basket of some of the best companies in the world, judged by their 'wide moats'. A 'moat' is a term coined by Warren Buffett and refers to a competitive advantage. That could be a strong brand or a cost advantage over competitors. Some of MOAT's current holdings include Adobe, Disney and Bank of America.
This ETF has returned more than 16% per annum in returns over the past five years. As such, it is one of my best winners, and I think it will keep on winning.
Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen owns shares in the VanEck Wide Moat ETF, Adobe, and Disney.
Jumbo Interactive Ltd
What it does: Providing a leading online lottery platform, Jumbo has become a mainstay for millions of Australian lottery players. In recent years, the company has flown the coop and expanded into other markets, including the United Kingdom and Canada.
By Mitchell Lawler: Jumbo found a home in my portfolio nearly six years ago. Back then, I was attracted by the thick profit margins, cashed-up balance sheet, and founder-led management. Fast forward to today, and very little has changed.
You only need to look at the returns on capital the team has generated over the years to understand the quality on offer here. In terms of future prospects, a steady shift toward more online ticket purchases could provide strong growth moving forward.
There is risk tied to Jumbo's reliance on The Lottery Corporation (ASX: TLC), evidenced by the bigger company demanding a larger share of revenue from ticket sales. However, Jumbo is offsetting this by implementing its own price rises.
As of today, Jumbo constitutes 7.1% of my total share portfolio.
Motley Fool contributor Mitchell Lawler owns shares in Jumbo Interactive Ltd.
Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd
What it does: The name Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd was originally known for pharmacies, but these days it's an investment company with money parked in various industries such as mining, telecommunications and construction.
By Tony Yoo: Soul Pattinson is famous for raising its dividends each and every year since 2000. That's a highly unusual streak for an ASX share, and the dividend is fully franked to boot.
But the company is not just an income machine. The share price has rocketed almost 650% since November 2001 to provide investors with useful capital growth.
Please note that Soul Patts is my largest within the ASX only. I own overseas stocks that are larger holdings.
Motley Fool contributor Tony Yoo owns shares in Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd.
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By Tristan Harrison: I haven't added to my position recently, but Soul Pattinson is the largest operating company in my portfolio.
I love the diversification offered by this S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) share. Its flexible investment mandate means it can invest in almost anything to improve (and diversify) the portfolio. I don't need to worry about its main operations being challenged (like I would with a normal ASX share) because Soul Pattinson can just change its portfolio if or when needed.
Over the past 20 years to April 2023, it had made total shareholder returns of an average of 12.9%, beating the All Ordinaries Accumulation Index (ASX: XAOA) by 3.7% per annum.
Its defensive, cash flow-focused portfolio has enabled the Soul Pattinson annual ordinary dividend to grow every year since 2000.
Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison owns shares of Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co. Ltd.
