Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN), Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), and ResMed Inc. (ASX: RMD) shares are popular with Aussie investors.
It isn't hard to see why. All three have strong market positions and well-known brands.
But could they be good investments today? I think they could. Here is why I would buy them.
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Qantas shares
Airlines can make even confident investors nervous. Fuel prices, competition, economic conditions, weather, and operational problems can quickly disrupt forecasts. I would never approach Qantas shares expecting a perfectly smooth journey.
But the company still has advantages that would be extremely difficult for a new competitor to reproduce.
Its domestic network, airport slots, Qantas brand, Jetstar operations, and frequent flyer ecosystem have been built over decades. The loyalty division is especially appealing because it earns money through credit cards, retail partners, points, and travel rewards without depending entirely on ticket sales.
Fleet renewal could also reshape the business. Newer aircraft can improve fuel efficiency, reduce maintenance requirements, open new routes, and provide a better passenger experience. The investment bill will be substantial, but I think Qantas has a genuine opportunity to emerge with a more efficient and flexible fleet.
The sector will remain volatile, so I would keep my position sensible. Even so, I think the airline's competitive position and range of earnings streams make Qantas shares worth buying.
Woolworths shares
Woolworths appeals to me for a completely different reason.
Groceries sit close to the centre of household spending. Customers may change brands, hunt harder for value, or reduce discretionary purchases, but they still need food and everyday essentials.
That dependable demand gives Woolworths a strong base.
The company also has more to work with than a large store network. Online shopping, loyalty data, automated distribution, delivery services, and personalised offers can all shape how Woolworths competes over the next decade.
I particularly like the potential of Everyday Rewards. A deeper understanding of customer behaviour can help Woolworths improve promotions, stock the right products, and build stronger relationships with shoppers.
Supermarket retail is intensely competitive, and the company must keep earning customer trust on price, availability, and service. Margins are also relatively thin, which means poor execution can have an outsized effect on profits. But I think it has a strong management team with the capabilities to deliver.
For me, Woolworths remains a leading Australian retailer with the scale and resources to improve, making the shares an attractive long-term buy.
ResMed shares
ResMed gives investors exposure to a healthcare need that remains far from fully addressed.
Millions of people live with sleep apnoea and other breathing disorders, while many remain undiagnosed or untreated. Better awareness, wider testing, and growing acceptance of home-based care could help ResMed reach many more patients.
Its relationship with customers can also continue well beyond the original device sale.
Patients need masks, replacement parts, monitoring, support, and software that helps them remain engaged with treatment. That recurring demand can make each new patient increasingly valuable over time.
Competition and changing treatment options deserve attention. However, ResMed has spent years building its brand, distribution, connected devices, and expertise in sleep health.
I think those strengths can support continued growth even as the treatment market evolves.
Foolish takeaway
I would buy Qantas, Woolworths, and ResMed because their long-term opportunities are supported by positions that have taken years to establish.
Each company still has work ahead of it, but with patient ownership and sensible position sizes, I think all three ASX shares could become more valuable over the years ahead.
