It has been a difficult time for Aussie investors this month. But one positive is that the ASX is giving investors a chance to buy some of the market's best companies at far more attractive prices than we saw just a few months ago.
With that in mind, if I were starting from scratch today, here's how I'd build a future-ready portfolio with the next 10 years in mind.
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Start with quality ASX shares
Great businesses don't change just because their share price does. That's why I'd be happy to back long-term compounders like CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD), and TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE). All three have strong balance sheets, high returns on equity, and dominant market positions.
Their earnings might ebb and flow with the cycle, but the overall trend is clear: up. And with valuations now more reasonable than they've been in years, these are businesses I'd want on my team for the long haul.
Buy some ASX ETFs
To take some of the guesswork out of stock picking, I'd add a handful of strong ASX ETFs to the mix. Think Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ) for tech growth, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT) for Buffett-style resilience, and Betashares Global Quality Leaders ETF (ASX: QLTY) for consistent global winners.
Together, they give you instant exposure to some of the most innovative and reliable companies in the world — all wrapped in a simple, low-cost package.
Don't ignore income
While growth gets the headlines, dividends quietly build wealth in the background. That's why I would look at rounding out the portfolio with income-heavy names like Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1), Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) or a high yield-focused ASX ETF like Vanguard Australian Shares High Yield ETF (ASX: VHY).
These won't double overnight, but they'll help fund your next investment — or maybe even your next holiday — while delivering partially or fully franked income along the way.
Foolish takeaway
Markets are rarely comfortable when they are offering value — and that is exactly why long-term investors get rewarded. The trick isn't predicting when the market selloff ends. It is using it to build a portfolio you won't want to touch for years.
Because when the rebound comes — and history says it always does — you'll be glad you planted your flag while others were hesitating.
