Although ASX investors understandably have an affinity for the companies listed on our local markets, the appeal of owning US stocks is undeniable.
The ASX is certainly home to many quality stocks, including famous blue-chip investments like Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA), Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS), and Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW). But these businesses, while great, just don't offer the size, scale, and global dominance that many prominent US stocks, such as Apple, Amazon, and Colgate-Palmolive, do.
As such, it's my firm belief that most ASX investors should look to add some quality US shares to their portfolios.
But which US shares to buy? Here are three that I personally own and think would suit the needs of most ASX investors today.
3 US shares to consider buying today
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT)
First up, we have the technology giant Microsoft. You probably know Microsoft from its flagship Windows operating system and popular Office productivity software suite. But Microsoft offers far more than just those products.
I consider this company to be a 'tech ETF' of sorts, as it has its fingers in so many pies. In addition to Windows and Office, these pies include its Azure cloud platform (and associated data centre infrastructure), its gaming division, spearheaded by the Xbox brand and the acquisition of Activision Blizzard a few years ago, and its Copilot AI platform. Not to mention its LinkedIn social media network.
Despite its gargantuan size (US$1.9 trillion at last count), Microsoft is still growing at a rapid pace. Back in February, the company reported quarterly revenue growth of 12% (year on year) to US$69.6 billion, earnings per share (EPS) growth of 10% to US$3.23, and a 10% spike in net income to US$24.1 billion.
Costco Wholesale Corp (NASDAQ: COST)
Next up, we have another US stock that you may have heard of in supermarket operator Costco Wholesale.
Costco is famous for its massive warehouses, where customers can buy goods in bulk. The company is also renowned for its unusual membership model, where shoppers have to pay an annual fee to enjoy the privilege of even entering a Costco.
This model has brought the company an unprecedented level of global success. But unlike most established supermarket operators, Costco is still growing at a healthy clip. It recently reported a 9% rise in quarterly net revenues to US$63.72 billion, alongside a 2.6% increase in net income.
Given Costco's defensive nature as a supermarket business and its unique and compelling business model, I think this US stock would be a happy home in most ASX investors' portfolios today.
Mastercard Inc (NYSE: MA)
Finally, we have a US stock that is probably in most readers' wallets as we speak. Mastercard is a global payments giant. Along with its archrival Visa, Mastercard forms a near-global duopoly on the infrastructure that supports electronic payments, credit cards, and bank cards.
I believe that the global shift to electronic payments will only continue to accelerate in the years ahead. If that is the case, Mastercard will be a major beneficiary of this trend.
This US stock has been a growth beast over the past decade and continues to expand at a rapid pace. In January, the company posted year-on-year revenue growth of 14% to US$7.5 billion, with earnings per share rocketing 20.1% to US$3.82.
Given this growth and the tailwinds still blowing behind it, I think Mastercard is another top US stock pick for any long-term ASX investor today.
