Time is running out to secure your favourite ASX shares before Christmas. Markets will close at 4pm today as normal, but we are in store for an early market close at 2pm tomorrow for Christmas Eve. After then, markets will only reopen on Friday to account for the Christmas Day and Boxing Day public holidays. So you'd better act quickly if you have any ASX shares left on your Christmas list (and you've been nice and not naughty, of course).
Depending on which side of the nice/naughty ledger this writer comes down on, here are 3 of my Christmas wishlist shares.
Altium Limited (ASX: ALU)
Of all the WAAAX shares, Altium appeals to me the most. The company is consistently profitable and has even been growing its still-small dividend at a robust pace. Its subscription-based software has proven immensely popular amongst printed circuit-board designers. Further, the company boasts a remarkable stickiness of its consumers that would give any owner of Altium a lot of optimism for the future.
ALU shares are still relatively expensive compared with the broader market at around 60 times earnings, but I think this company's growth trajectory arguably justifies this premium.
Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT)
Afterpay is another one of my WAAAXer favourites. Although I can't view it through the same lens as Altium (Afterpay isn't yet profitable, let alone a dividend payer), the company's growth has been nothing short of incredible. Its US launch has defied all expectations and the same goes for its UK market entry (despite having to trade under the Clearpay name over in the motherland). In fact, Afterpay notched up $1 billion of sales in November alone – helped by the Black Friday/Cyber Monday events.
For a pure growth play, I think this company is a great candidate and thus, I would love some shares of Afterpay for Christmas!
VanEck Vectors Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)
MOAT is my favourite ASX exchange traded fund (ETF). Although I already own shares, I would love to add to my holdings this Christmas. MOAT invests in US companies that it characterises as possessing durable competitive advantages (moats) over their competitors. Currently, some of MOAT's top holdings include Amazon, Intel, Kellogg and Nike – all globally recognised, top notch companies.
This ETF has also outperformed the US S&P 500 index benchmark over 1, 3 and 5 years – further giving me confidence in this investment.
Foolish takeaway
I think ASX shares are one of the greatest gifts you can give this Christmas and so I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that any of these 3 will end up in my Christmas stocking.
