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S&P/ASX 200 Monday – ASX tech shares & REITs in focus

The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX: XJO) is expected to jump at the open on Monday. Here’s what ASX investors need to know.

Mixed week

The ASX 200 surrendered early gains to finish Friday down 0.6%, pulling the market down 2.3% for the week. Real estate, -5.4%, and industrials, -4.6%, were among the hardest hit as Victoria’s spike in COVID-19 cases shut the second-largest state down for another six weeks. Qantas Limited (ASX: QAN) led the falls, down 8.0%.

Despite offering a weaker leader to the ASX, both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq recorded positive results on Friday, driven 1.1% and 0.8% higher as the recovery in the banking sector continued. Netflix Inc. (NASDAQ: NFLX) and Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) continued stellar recent runs, improving 8.8% and 10.1% on Friday alone.

European markets were buoyed by better than expected economic data, with Italian and French industrial production increasing 42% and 20% respectively compared to expectations of just 23% and 15%. The Euro Stoxx bounced 1.1% on the back of the better than expected news, with brewers Carlsberg (CPH: CARL-B), 6.4%, and Anheuser Busch InBev (EBR: ABI) benefitting from a quicker than forecast recovery in Asian demand. In my view, European markets offer an interesting risk-reward opportunity as the region finally comes together on monetary and fiscal stimulus.

The Nasdaq effect becomes contagious

Walt Disney Co (NYSE: DIS) rallied 2.2% after announcing the reopening of two Florida amusement parks, along with various other global facilities. This comes at the same time that the National Basketball Association is preparing to restart its season in the Florida parks ‘bubble’ environment. I remain confident in Disney’s long-term outlook via its combination of value and growth opportunities, including its cruise lines and ESPN sports channels.

The Nasdaq effect mentioned last week has become contagious, with small business accounting platform Xero Limited (ASX: XRO) hitting an all-time high of over $93 and Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) competitor Zip Co Ltd (ASX: Z1P) improving over 8% to $7.24, a high of its own. In my view, these valuations are becoming dangerous and difficult to fathom, but as usual are being driven by the sheer lack of real growth companies available on the ASX and a continued unwillingness for many self-directed investors to allocate capital offshore.

Meanwhile, the incredible eight-day rally in Chinese sharemarkets came to an end with a return of 17%, after a number of state-owned pension funds announced the broad sell down of large shareholdings that had benefitted heavily from the rally.

Signs of hope for ASX REITs?

Valuations were a key topic of discussion this week, with many experts questioning the lofty price of technology companies. Of more interest to us has been the lack of attention paid to residential and commercial property valuations, with little change some three months on from the COVID-19 crash.

Despite listed real estate companies like Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (ASX: URW) and Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) trading at 50-60% below their 2020 highs, the valuation of the underlying assets of these companies and many of their competitors have barely moved. In fact, it was reported during the week that several union-backed industry funds have actually increased the valuation of their direct property assets. This seems hopeful given what we are seeing in our CBDs and recent reports that some 2 in 3 apartments in Melbourne were being sold at a loss in the March quarter.

Finally, the UK Government provided a glimpse into the future of fiscal policy, announcing a Value Added Tax (like our GST) reduction for hospitality-focused business, something suffering Victorian and Australian businesses are no doubt crying out for.

This report was written by Drew Meredith, Financial Adviser and Director of Wattle Partners. To get in contact with Drew, click here to visit the Wattle Partners website.

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The Golden Rules of Investing

We might be experts in retirement, but with combined financial advice experience of 35+ years, we’ve nearly seen it all. 

In mid-2023, our senior team at Wattle Partners Financial Planning put the finishing touches on a brand-new report “The Golden Rules of Investing“.

In this free report, we outline the key principles that determine all of the portfolio construction and investment decisions of Wattle Partners. Collated over decades, this paper should be seen as a work-in-progress, constantly under review in light of the ever-evolving nature of markets. 

You’ll find the free report on my Author page. Simply click the button below to view the Golden Rules.

Information warning: The information on this website is published by The Rask Group Pty Ltd (ABN: 36 622 810 995) is limited to factual information or (at most) general financial advice only. That means, the information and advice does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. It is not specific to you, your needs, goals or objectives. Because of that, you should consider if the advice is appropriate to you and your needs, before acting on the information. If you don’t know what your needs are, you should consult a trusted and licensed financial adviser who can provide you with personal financial product advice. In addition, you should obtain and read the product disclosure statement (PDS) before making a decision to acquire a financial product. Please read our Terms and Conditions and Financial Services Guide before using this website. The Rask Group Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative (#1280930) of AFSL #383169.


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Wattle Partners is a financial advice firm, servicing clients around Australia, specialising in retirement planning (pre and post retirement). 

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