Here's why I think these ASX shares are top ideas to buy right now

Some ASX shares may have been sold off too much.

| More on:
A woman holds her finger to the side of her lips in contemplation as she looks upwards to an array of graphic images of light bulbs above her head, one of which is on and glowing.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Key points

  • There are some compelling businesses that are now a lot cheaper
  • Nick Scali is a leading retailer of furniture
  • Volpara is an ASX healthcare share that offers breast screening and analysis software

I think there are a few ASX shares that have been hit hard during 2022 that may be long-term opportunities at these prices.

It's certainly possible that a handful of businesses may have seen their share prices fall too hard.

When things are oversold, I think they could be attractive ideas, particularly if they have long-term potential.

No one can know what a share price is going to do next. But, I think these two ASX shares could be investments to think about because of the value they offer at this lower price.

Nick Scali Limited (ASX: NCK)

Nick Scali is an ASX retail share that sells furniture from a national network of stores. It also recently acquired the Plush-Think Sofas business.

At the time of writing, the Nick Scali share price has fallen by around 38% in 2022.

Although the company's shares have recovered in recent weeks, the business still looks like good value for the long term, in my opinion.

Things are indeed looking a bit tough in the shorter term for retailers, but investing is about more than what happens in just the next 12 months.

I think after this period of high inflation and rising interest rates ends, the outlook for Nick Scali will improve, and therefore investor sentiment can recover somewhat.

FY22 was affected by store closures due to COVID lockdowns, as well as lockdowns in product sourcing locations and shipping container availability. FY23 will hopefully not have those negative impacts.

Besides that, there are other long-term positives. With the acquisition of Plush, there is the potential for store network expansion, enhanced group buying power, aligned distribution, and so on.

The ASX retail share can also add more Nick Scali stores to help grow its profit. Online sales growth could also help. Nick Scali online revenue was $13.7 million and it contributed $8 million of earnings before interest and tax (EBIT). With this good profit margin, it will help the company if and when more sales occur online.

Finally, Nick Scali usually pays a generous dividend yield. The dividend estimate on CMC Markets for FY23 suggests a grossed-up dividend yield of 9.6%.

Volpara Health Technologies Ltd (ASX: VHT)

ASX share Volpara Health Technologies offers a range of software relating to breast screening and risk analysis.

The Volpara share price has fallen by more than 40% since 25 October 2021.

I think the business has a very promising future by offering clients an increasingly valuable service by being able to analyse images and detect cancer as early as possible.

In my opinion, the business has several attractive features. It has a high gross profit margin of around 90%. In the FY23 first quarter, it saw good growth with subscription-based cash receipts up 36% to NZ$8.3 million. It has annual recurring revenue (ARR) of around NZ$27.1 million. Customer loss remains "low".

Around 35% of women in the United States have a Volpara product applied on their images and data.

The company is looking to become cash flow breakeven by the end of FY24.

It has good foundations, in my opinion. If the company keeps growing quickly, scale will help it generate a good bottom line in the future.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended VOLPARA FPO NZ. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended VOLPARA FPO NZ. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Opinions

Three miners looking at a tablet.
Resources Shares

Own ASX mining shares? Experts say an upswing in commodity prices has begun

HSBC economists Paul Bloxham and Jamie Culling explain why global commodity prices are rising.

Read more »

A young woman sits at her desk in deep contemplation with her hand to her chin while seriously considering information she is reading on her laptop
Share Market News

Will the Reserve Bank wait for the US Fed to cut interest rates first?

Here's when AMP thinks interest rates will be cut in the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the Eurozone.

Read more »

Gold bars on top of gold coins.
Gold

Is it too late to buy gold as an investment in 2024?

Can we still take advantage of gold at new record highs?

Read more »

A woman makes the task of vacuuming fun, leaping while she pretends it is an air guitar.
Opinions

3 compelling ASX shares for investors in their 20s

I think these stocks have lots of growth potential.

Read more »

A man in business suit wearing old fashioned pilot's leather headgear, goggles and scarf bounces on a pogo stick in a dry, arid environment with nothing else around except distant hills in the background.
Opinions

Bear to bull: The ASX shares that could bounce back the strongest

These stocks have fallen hard, I’m optimistic they can make good returns.

Read more »

Woman in a hammock relaxing, symbolising passive income.
ETFs

3 reasons the iShares S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is a great long-term investment

The US share market is a compelling place to invest.

Read more »

An older couple hold hands as they bounce happily high in the air.
Opinions

3 ASX stocks to benefit from Australia's ageing population

Ageing demographies is a strong tailwind.

Read more »

A Chinese investor sits in front of his laptop looking pensive and concerned about pandemic lockdowns which may impact ASX 200 iron ore share prices
Opinions

3 ASX All Ord shares at risk if inflation storms back

If inflation returns, highly-indebted companies could be looking at unmanageable costs.

Read more »