It hasn't been a great stretch for some of the market's highest-quality ASX stocks, but savvy investors know that pullbacks can be where the real opportunities are found.
Two standout ASX stocks — REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) and Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) — were among the losers again on Thursday. In fact, both have shed roughly 30% of their value over the past six months.
While that might rattle short-term traders, brokers are increasingly viewing this weakness as a compelling long-term entry point.
REA Group
When it comes to dominant digital platforms, REA Group remains one of the ASX's crown jewels.
The ASX stock sits at the heart of Australia's online property advertising market through its flagship realestate.com.au platform, giving it powerful pricing power and a highly scalable business model.
While the housing cycle can create short-term volatility, REA's long-term growth story remains intact. It's supported by premium listings, depth products, and international expansion.
The recent price weakness on the ASX stock appears to have caught the attention of analysts. Broker Morgan Stanley currently has an overweight rating on REA's shares, alongside a $230.00 price target. That implies a potential upside of roughly 44% over the next 12 months.
For long-term investors, that's a strong vote of confidence in both the company's fundamentals and its ability to rebound as market conditions stabilise.
Aristocrat Leisure
Gaming technology leader Aristocrat Leisure is another high-quality name that has fallen out of favour recently. And the ASX stock could be primed for a comeback.
Aristocrat generates the bulk of its earnings from gaming machines and digital content, particularly in the lucrative US market. While sentiment has softened in recent months, underlying demand trends appear far more resilient than the share price suggests.
In fact, analysts are seeing encouraging signs. The team at Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) has retained its outperform rating on the ASX stock, and set a $63.00 price target. That represents potential upside of approximately 33% from current levels.
Macquarie has been reviewing recent US casino gaming data and noted year-on-year growth, a positive signal for Aristocrat's core land-based gaming business. Combined with its expanding digital segment, the company appears well placed to deliver long-term earnings growth.
Foolish Takeaway
Market pullbacks can be uncomfortable, but they often create rare opportunities to buy high-quality ASX stocks at discounted prices.
With both REA Group and Aristocrat Leisure down significantly and backed by bullish broker forecasts, long-term investors may want to take a closer look before the market sentiment turns.
The post 2 high-quality ASX stocks to buy and hold long term appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther 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 Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
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