Warren Buffett has a famous approach to market fear. When others are panicking, he looks for opportunity.
I think that is a useful mindset for ASX investors right now. There are plenty of risks in the market, from higher interest rates and weaker consumer spending to geopolitical uncertainty and questions around company earnings.
But there are also a number of high-quality ASX shares trading well below where they were not long ago.
That is why I think this could be a good time to be greedy, selectively.
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Quality healthcare at lower prices
One area I would be looking at closely is healthcare.
CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) has had a brutal year, and investor confidence has been badly damaged. The company has disappointed the market, and it needs to prove that earnings growth can become more reliable again.
But I still think CSL owns valuable healthcare assets across plasma therapies, vaccines, and specialist medicines. These are global businesses linked to real medical demand, not short-term consumer trends.
At today's much lower share price, I think investors may be getting a rare chance to buy CSL while expectations are very low.
I also think ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) looks interesting after its own selloff.
ResMed is a global leader in sleep apnoea treatment, with devices, masks, accessories, and software that support patients and healthcare providers. I like its high-margin, recurring revenue characteristics. Once a patient is in therapy, there can be ongoing demand for masks, cushions, and other supplies.
There are concerns around possible drug competition in sleep apnoea, but I think the market may be underestimating the durability of ResMed's position.
Fallen growth shares
I would also be looking at selected ASX growth shares.
WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) has fallen heavily from its highs, but I still think the long-term opportunity is compelling.
Global trade is complicated. Freight forwarders and logistics companies deal with customs, compliance, documentation, routing, warehousing, and cross-border regulation. WiseTech's software sits inside those workflows.
That is exactly the kind of position I like in a technology business. If the software becomes deeply embedded, it can be difficult for customers to replace.
The stock still carries risks around valuation, acquisitions, execution, and investor sentiment. But after such a large fall, I think the market may be offering long-term investors a better entry point.
Consumer shares with recovery potential
Some consumer-facing ASX shares also look interesting after major declines.
Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) is exposed to a difficult retail environment, with households under pressure and big-ticket spending under strain. But I think the business still has valuable retail brands, property assets, and a history of rewarding shareholders with dividends.
Accent Group Ltd (ASX: AX1) is another beaten-up name that could appeal to patient investors. Footwear and apparel spending can be cyclical, but Accent owns a broad portfolio of banners and brands across sport, lifestyle, and youth fashion.
If consumer confidence improves over time, I think the recovery potential could be meaningful.
Finally, Amcor plc (ASX: AMC) could offer a different kind of cheap ASX share. Packaging may not be exciting, but it is used across food, beverages, healthcare, and consumer goods. I like the defensive nature of that demand, especially when the share price is out of favour.
Foolish takeaway
Being greedy does not mean buying every ASX share that has fallen. Some selloffs are deserved, and some businesses will not recover the way investors hope.
But I think Buffett's broader lesson still applies. Fear can create better prices for investors who are willing to think beyond the next few months.
CSL, ResMed, WiseTech, Harvey Norman, Accent, and Amcor are all facing different challenges. That is why they are cheaper today.
For me, the opportunity is in separating temporary disappointment from permanent damage. When good businesses are priced as though the future is much darker than it may prove to be, I think patient investors should be ready to act.
