It's been a subdued start to the year for ASX stocks. The S&P/ASX 300 Index (ASX: XKO) is 1.57% higher for the year-to-date, and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 1.62% as cost-of-living pressures, cash rate hike concerns and market shifts weigh on investor sentiment.
In times like these, it's important for investors to see the forest through the trees and identify investment opportunities amid market ups and downs.
Here are three ASX stocks I think every Aussie investor should consider for their portfolio this year.
Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS)
EOS is a red-hot Aussie defence stock that develops and produces advanced electro-optic technologies. For the year-to-date, the company's shares are down 8.44%, and while this isn't ideal, in the context of its enormous 646.72% annual gain, it's not too alarming.
The ASX stock has benefited from surging demand for exposure to the defence sector amid ongoing geopolitical volatility. Recent data shows that Global military spending reached an unprecedented US$2.7 trillion in 2024. I'd bet the figure was even higher for 2025.
The company has had several major contract wins recently and is well-positioned for strong growth this year.
Analysts rate the shares a strong buy and tip an upside of up to 40.24% to $12.72 at the time of writing.
Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)
Telix shares are down 2.51% to $11.08 a piece for the year-to-date, at the time of writing. Thanks to several significant headwinds over the past year, they're now down 61.43% year-on-year.
Its recent Q4 FY25 results disappointed investors, despite the biotech stock reporting that it achieved its US$804 million FY25 guidance. Over the past few months, the company has also had regulatory filing issues with the US Food and Drug Administration.
But I think Telix still has exceptional growth potential amid a rapidly growing market, and at the current share price, in my view, the ASX stock is a buy.
Analysts mostly rate the shares as a strong buy and predict they could soar by up to 203.92% this year to $33.69 at the time of writing.
BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)
The mining giant recently took the reins as the largest stock on the Australian sharemarket. BHP shares crossed the $50 mark earlier this week, pushing the miner's market capitalisation to just over $253.5 billion. Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) is now in second place, with a market capitalisation of around $251.9 billion.
At the time of writing, the miner's shares are down 0.85% to $50.17, although they're 9.65% higher for the year-to-date and 28.23% higher than this time last year.
Analysts' forecasts for the stock's direction from here are subdued, with most holding a neutral stance and some even expecting a slight downside.
But unlike the two ASX stocks listed above, I think BHP shares should be considered this year for more than just the upside potential. It's worth noting that the company's production is growing, and the business is diverse and actively expanding. And, of course, the miner offers a strong passive income stream for investors seeking reliable cash flow.
Over the past 12 months, BHP paid an interim dividend of 79.1 cents per share on 27 March and a final dividend of 91.9 cents per share on 25 September, both fully franked. That's a full-year passive income payout of $1.71 per share.
