Top 5 ASX stocks to buy in 2022

With the world rocked by record inflation and geopolitical instability, investors are looking for safe haven stocks that can weather the current storm.

Thankfully, the markets are full of opportunities waiting to be discovered by shrewd investors.

Here are the top 5 ASX stocks to buy in 2022.

Stock n°1: BHP Group Ltd. (ASX: BHP)

BHP Group Ltd is the largest company in Australia and the largest mining company in the world by market capitalisation. In 2020, Forbes Global ranked it the 93^rd largest publicly traded company in the world.

With revenues exceeding $60 billion, net income over $13 billion, a total return of 95% over five years, a current dividend yield of 8%, five years of dividend growth and a 5-year dividend growth rate of 45%, BHP Group is arguably the most attractive stock to buy on the ASX right now.

Stock n°2: Computershare Ltd. (ASX: CPU)

Computershare is a financial services company that provides corporate trust, stock transfer, and employee share plan services in more than 20 countries.

While the firm mainly provides stock registration and transfer services to publicly listed companies. It also offers a wide array of technological services to stock exchanges and runs The Deposit Protection Service, a custodial tenancy protection scheme that is accredited by the UK government.

With a total return of 80% in 10 years, Computershare is a very well-managed and profitable company that often flies under the radar. Investors looking to invest in a solid growth stock should seriously consider purchasing Computershare stock.

Stock n°3: CSL Limited (ASL: CSX)

CSL Limited is a leading Australian biotechnology company that researches, develops, manufactures and markets blood plasma derivatives, vaccines, and anti-venom, among other things.

With 29,000 employees, annual revenues of more than $10 billion AUD and a net income of nearly $2 billion AUD, CSL Limited is a highly profitable venture. In addition, the stock has generated total returns of more than 100% in the past five years. If the phrase “winners keep on winning” is anything to go by, CSL Limited is arguably one of the best stock picks for the coming years.

Stock n°4: Wesfarmers Limited (ASX: WES)

With over 100,000 employees, the fourth company on our list is one of Australia’s biggest employers.

Wesfarmers is a conglomerate specialising in retail, chemical, fertiliser, industrial and safety products. With revenues of $30 billion and a net income of $2 billion, this industrial heavyweight has generated total returns of 51% over the past five years.

Given the current fertiliser shortage and skyrocketing commodity prices, Wesfarmers’ shareholders may be in for another stellar year.

Stock n°5: Woolworths Group (ASX: WOW)

Woolworths Group owns and operates retail stores in Australia and New Zealand. In fact, it is the largest Australian company by revenue and the second-largest in New Zealand. In 2020, Woolworths employed more than 200,000 employees in both regions.

In 2020, the firm generated $63 billion AUD of annual revenues and more than $3 billion AUD of net profits. Since 2017, the stock has generated a total return of nearly 60%, which is nearly three times more than the ASX index over the same period.

In 2021, Australia’s inflation rate hit 3.5%. Logically, dominant chains such as Woolworths will be able to pass on price increases to consumers, which bodes well for the company’s bottom line – and for shareholders’ returns.

The information in this article is well-researched and factual. Still, it contains opinions also, and IT IS NOT FINANCIAL ADVICE and should not be interpreted as such, do not make any financial decisions based on the information in this article; we are not financial advisors. We are journalists. You should always consult with a professional before making any investment decisions.