If I were building a portfolio from scratch, I'd buy these 3 ASX 200 shares today

These quality shares could be great picks for investors building a portfolio.

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Starting fresh with a clean slate might just be the best position an investor can be in. No baggage, no bias — just a long time horizon and the freedom to choose businesses you truly believe in.

If I were building a brand-new portfolio from scratch today, there are a few key principles I'd stick to: I want to own companies with strong business models, clear long-term growth outlooks, sustainable competitive advantages, and fair valuations.

Based on that checklist, here are three ASX 200 shares I'd buy with confidence right now.

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CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

CSL has long been a standout on the ASX. It is one of the world's largest biotechnology companies, with operations spanning plasma-derived therapies, vaccines, and nephrology

Its competitive advantage lies in scale, global reach, and scientific expertise — not to mention decades of reinvestment into R&D and a highly specialised plasma collection network that would be incredibly difficult to replicate.

In recent years, CSL's growth has stuttered somewhat due to headwinds associated with the pandemic. However, with tailwinds now firmly in its sails, analysts are expecting the next few years to be very prosperous with double-digit earnings growth each year. Despite this, its shares trade on much lower than normal multiples. As a result, I see this as a textbook example of a high-quality business trading at an attractive price.

ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD)

Another ASX 200 share that I would buy is ResMed. It is another global healthcare name that fits my criteria perfectly. The company is a leader in sleep apnoea treatment and respiratory care, offering both hardware (like CPAP machines) and a growing suite of digital health platforms.

What I like about ResMed is that it doesn't just sell a product — it sells a system. Its cloud-connected devices and software create a sticky ecosystem for patients, providers, and payers alike.

And with a total addressable market estimated to be over 1 billion and education around sleep disorders increasing by the day, the next decade looks likely to be very successful for ResMed.

WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

Finally, WiseTech is a third ASX 200 share that I would add to my portfolio.

Its CargoWise platform is used by freight and logistics operators across the globe, helping them manage compliance, documentation, and global supply chain complexity. That kind of mission-critical software is incredibly hard to displace — once it's embedded, it tends to stay there for the long haul.

WiseTech has pricing power, expanding margins, and a founder-led management team with a long-term mindset. It's made smart acquisitions to grow both capability and customer base, and continues to reinvest in innovation.

And while it isn't cheap by traditional metrics, a significant pullback in its share price means that investors can pick up shares at a deep discount to historical multiples.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL, ResMed, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, ResMed, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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