How to invest your first $2,000 in ASX shares this month

Wanting to start your investment journey? Here's how you could do it.

| More on:
Five happy friends on their phones.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • Goodman Group offers beginner investors exposure to the growing ecommerce sector through its industrial property developments, with additional investments in data centres.
  • Macquarie Group provides a diversified and resilient option with operations in asset management, banking, and commodities, supported by a strong track record.
  • The Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF allows for instant diversification across leading global tech companies, tapping into innovation in AI, cloud computing, and digital services.

Starting out as an investor can feel overwhelming. With thousands of ASX shares to choose from, how do you know where to put your money?

To narrow things down, let's take a look at three shares that I think could be top picks for beginners with $2,000 to invest in the share market. They are as follows:

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

If I were a beginner, I would allocate a portion of my capital to Goodman Group. It is one of the world's largest industrial property developers. Goodman owns and manages warehouses and logistics centres that support the booming e-commerce sector. Global retailers and technology companies rely on its strategically located properties to store and distribute goods quickly.

With demand for high-quality logistics infrastructure rising, Goodman is well positioned to keep growing. In addition, it is investing heavily in data centres to give it exposure to the AI and cloud computing booms.

Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG)

Another smart pick for beginners could be Macquarie Group, Australia's global investment bank.

Macquarie has built a reputation as one of the most diversified and resilient financial institutions on the ASX. Its operations span asset management, banking, commodities trading, and infrastructure investment.

What arguably makes Macquarie a top pick for beginners is its proven track record of delivering profits through multiple economic cycles. And with a talented leadership team and exposure to long-term growth themes, it could continue to deliver the goods for investors long into the future.

Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF (ASX: NDQ)

Finally, I would round out the $2,000 investment with an exchange traded fund (ETF). And not just any ETF! I would go with the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF. This hugely popular ASX ETF provides investors with easy access to 100 of the largest non-financial stocks listed on the Nasdaq in the United States.

This includes tech giants and household names like Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL), Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT), and Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA).

By including this fund, investors get instant diversification across many of the world's highest quality companies and exposure to the next wave of innovation in AI, cloud computing, and digital services.

Foolish takeaway

With Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, and the Betashares Nasdaq 100 ETF, a new investor can create a simple but powerful starter portfolio. This combination provides exposure to property, finance, and technology — three areas that could keep compounding wealth for decades.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Apple, BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF, Goodman Group, Macquarie Group, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended the following options: long January 2026 $395 calls on Microsoft and short January 2026 $405 calls on Microsoft. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended BetaShares Nasdaq 100 ETF and Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Apple, Goodman Group, Microsoft, and Nvidia. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on How to invest

A smiling woman with a handful of $100 notes, indicating strong dividend payments
How to invest

How to turn $50 a week into a six-figure ASX share portfolio

Small investments could grow into big wealth with this strategy.

Read more »

Excited couple celebrating success while looking at smartphone.
How to invest

Why today's cheap ASX shares could double my money during the next bull market

These shares could be the ones to buy if you are looking for undervalued options.

Read more »

A businessman compares the growth trajectory of property versus shares.
How to invest

The 10-year wealth plan: how to turn small savings into life-changing results

Building wealth doesn't need to be hard. Here's a simple plan you can follow.

Read more »

Legendary share market investing expert and owner of Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett.
How to invest

I'd listen to Warren Buffett's advice to buy undervalued ASX shares today

The Oracle of Omaha knows a good deal when he sees one.

Read more »

Concept image of man holding up a falling arrow with a shield.
How to invest

Is the S&P 500 set for a crash? Here's my plan for the US stock market

No one can predict when the next crash will come.

Read more »

a man wearing a gold shirt smiles widely as he is engulfed in a shower of gold confetti falling from the sky. representing a new gold discovery by ASX mining share OzAurum Resources
How to invest

The Warren Buffett golden rule that investors can't ignore

His golden returns are underpinned by this simple rule.

Read more »

a smiling picture of legendary US investment guru Warren Buffett.
How to invest

Want to build wealth? Here's how Warren Buffett does it

Following Buffett's lead could help you build significant wealth in the share market.

Read more »

Happy young couple saving money in piggy bank.
How to invest

What $100 a week in ASX shares could become in 20 years

Would it be worth investing weekly into ASX shares? Let's find out.

Read more »