3 ASX small-cap shares I'd buy with $3,000 right now

These businesses have a lot of potential.

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Key points

  • ASX small-cap shares like Beacon Lighting, Adairs, and Inghams Group are experiencing temporary declines, presenting potential rebound opportunities.
  • Beacon Lighting aims to expand its store network by 50% and is growing internationally, despite short-term economic struggles.
  • Adairs and Inghams Group are implementing initiatives for profitability improvements, with both companies positioned as undervalued turnaround ideas.

ASX small-cap shares are some of the most exciting to own because they're a lot easier to grow 10% or double in size than larger businesses.

All three of the companies that I'm going to talk about have seen their share prices decline in recent times. But, I believe they are great candidates to bounce back from recent difficulties; they only seem to me like temporary challenges.

Let's get into what makes them exciting ideas.

Beacon Lighting Group Ltd (ASX: BLX)

As the chart below shows, the Beacon share price has fallen more than 20% since August.

Beacon has a few different segments including its Beacon Lighting stores for consumers, a trade segment (for electricians, builders, architects and interior designers) and international sales.

The ASX small-cap share is exposed to a number of areas of the economy that have struggled including consumer spending, construction and trade activity.

But, following rate cuts, I think the company has the potential to become a lot larger. It has identified a potential store network of close to 200 Beacon Lighting stores, implying a possible increase of around 50% from where it is today.

I'm also hopeful that the company can grow its earnings in international markets such as Hong Kong and Europe (which saw double-digit sales growth). Impressively, Tmall Global sales in China grew by 72.3% during FY25.

According to the forecasts on CMC Markets, the Beacon share price is valued at 20x FY26's estimated earnings and 17x FY27's estimated earnings.

Adairs Ltd (ASX: ADH)

Adairs is a homewares and furniture retailer that operates through three different businesses – Adairs, Mocka and Focus on Furniture.

It has dropped around 30% from 19 September 2025, as the below chart shows.

I view Adairs as a discretionary retailer that goes through elevated volatility, so it can be an opportunity to buy when investors don't seem very confident.  

The ASX small-cap share recently reduced its FY26 guidance, but it's working on a number of initiatives to improve its profitability.

I think it's trading at a price that's too low given how retail spending could recover over the next year or two.

According to the forecasts on CMC Markets, it's trading at 10x FY26's estimated earnings and 8x FY27's estimated earnings.

Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING)

Inghams is one of the largest poultry businesses in Australia. The Inghams share price is down around 40% from June 2025.

The company has suffered through a number of negatives including transitioning to a new Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) supply agreement, a shift to a lower-margin mix, weaker wholesale pricing and weaker overall retail demand.

But, the poultry ASX small-cap share is working on a number of ways to try to improve profitability, including reducing inventory, matching production to demand and reducing costs.

I'm optimistic that the company's profits can recover over the next couple of years, making the current valuation attractive as a turnaround opportunity.

According to the forecasts on CMC Markets, the Inghams share price is valued at 12x FY26's estimated earnings and 9x FY27's estimated earnings.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Adairs. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Adairs and Woolworths Group. 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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