3 unstoppable ASX growth stocks to buy even if there's a stock market sell-off in 2026

Market volatility is uncomfortable, but some businesses are built to keep growing regardless of sentiment.

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I hope there is no stock market sell-off in 2026. Markets falling is never pleasant, and volatility can test even experienced investors.

That said, whether markets rise steadily or stumble along the way, there are some ASX growth stocks I would still feel comfortable buying. These are businesses, I believe, that are built to keep growing through different economic conditions, rather than relying on perfect market sentiment.

Here are three ASX growth stocks I would consider owning regardless of whether 2026 brings a sell-off or not.

HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

HUB24 does not depend on consumers opening their wallets or businesses lifting spending. Instead, its growth is tied to how Australians manage their wealth over time.

The company provides investment and superannuation platforms used by financial advisers and their clients. Once advisers build their processes around a platform, switching is rarely simple. It involves compliance, reporting, client education, and operational change. That creates inertia, which tends to favour established providers.

What I find appealing about HUB24 is not just asset growth, but the way it earns revenue. As funds under administration rise, the platform benefits without needing to take outsized balance sheet risk or chase aggressive lending growth. Market movements can influence short-term flows, but the long-term trend of Australians consolidating and professionalising wealth management remains intact.

Even in weaker markets, advisers still need reliable platforms. In stronger markets, HUB24 benefits from rising balances. That combination makes it a business I would be comfortable owning across cycles.

Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)

Zip is often viewed purely through the lens of consumer spending and credit conditions. That framing misses part of the story.

At its core, Zip operates a payments and checkout platform designed to reduce friction at the point of sale. Merchants care about conversion rates, basket sizes, and repeat customers. Payment options play a role in all three, particularly online.

What makes this ASX growth stock interesting to me is its focus on simplifying the customer journey rather than just extending credit. As the business matures, the emphasis has shifted toward risk management, operating discipline, and improving unit economics. That evolution matters more than headline transaction growth.

If a sell-off occurs, sentiment toward consumer-facing stocks may weaken. But demand for flexible payment options does not disappear overnight. Consumers still buy essentials, and merchants still compete for attention.

Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)

Telix operates in a very different world from most ASX growth stocks.

The company focuses on radiopharmaceuticals, developing diagnostic and therapeutic products that use targeted radiation to detect and treat cancer. This is not a discretionary market. Clinical demand is driven by patient need and healthcare decisions rather than consumer confidence or interest rates.

What stands out to me is Telix's commercial mindset. While many biotech companies remain perpetually pre-revenue, Telix has worked to move products from development into clinical and commercial use. That shift changes how the business is valued and how it can fund future growth.

Healthcare stocks can still be volatile, especially when markets turn risk-averse. But the underlying drivers of demand for improved cancer diagnostics and treatments are largely independent of economic cycles. That makes Telix a growth stock I would consider holding even if broader markets struggle.

Foolish Takeaway

No one knows whether 2026 will bring a stock market sell-off. What investors can control is the quality of the businesses they choose to own.

HUB24, Zip, and Telix operate in very different sectors, but they share a common trait. Each is positioned around structural demand rather than short-term market optimism. For me, this makes them ASX growth stocks to buy in any market.

Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24 and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24 and Telix Pharmaceuticals. 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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