Smart investing does not always mean chasing the strongest performer of the moment.
It can also mean looking for businesses with durable advantages, clear growth paths, and the ability to keep investing through different market conditions.
With that in mind, here are three ASX 200 shares that could be worth a closer look in May.
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CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)
One ASX 200 share that stands out for long-term investors is CSL.
The biotechnology giant has been under pressure in recent years, but its core business remains high quality. CSL is a global leader in plasma therapies, vaccines, and other specialist healthcare products.
Its plasma collections network gives it scale that is difficult to replicate. That is important because plasma-based medicines require deep infrastructure, regulatory expertise, and long-term supply chains.
The company is also exposed to long-term healthcare demand, which tends to be less tied to the economic cycle than many other industries.
If CSL can improve margins and return to stronger earnings growth, its current weakness could prove to be an attractive entry point over time.
Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)
Another ASX 200 share worth watching in May is Life360.
Life360 has built a global app-based platform focused on family connection and safety. The strength of the business is its ability to sit inside users' daily routines, which supports engagement and retention.
The technology company's opportunity is increasingly about monetisation. It already has a large user base, but the earnings upside comes from converting more users into paying subscribers and adding services that deepen the relationship.
Features such as driver protection, emergency assistance, and location-based tools give Life360 more ways to increase value for customers.
With scale already in place and monetisation still developing, Life360 remains tied to a growth story that could have further to run.
Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)
A third ASX 200 share that could appeal to smart investors is Wesfarmers.
Wesfarmers owns a collection of high-quality retail and industrial businesses, with Bunnings at the centre of the group.
Bunnings remains one of the strongest retail franchises in Australia. Its scale, brand trust, and wide product range give it a powerful market position across home improvement and trade customers.
The broader Wesfarmers portfolio also adds flexibility. Businesses such as Kmart, Officeworks, and its chemicals and industrial operations give the group multiple sources of earnings.
This mix of quality, scale, and capital discipline has helped Wesfarmers perform well over long periods.
For investors looking for a proven operator with several ways to keep compounding, Wesfarmers remains one of the ASX 200's standout businesses.
