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My 3 ASX takeaways from the week

The S&P/ASX 200 (ASX: XJO) suffered a 1.6% loss during the week, while all three US benchmarks also ended lower.

Here are my three key investor takeaways from the week.

Takeovers aren’t always a given

Searching for the next takeover target is a popular pastime for brokers and DIY investors alike, but the week offered a warning shot confirming it doesn’t always go to plan.

Just like the Link Administration Holdings Ltd (ASX: LNK) and AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) offers in 2020, Hansen Technologies Limited (ASX: HSN) shares tanked after their bidder walked away.

The Santos-Oil Search merger is finally going ahead, however, the IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE) offer from EQT appears to be stalling.

Boring week when bonds are news

After a chaotic reporting season, the focus has turned back to both thematic, political and economic events. Yet with central banks not moving anyway, a number of bond issues actually made the news.

The likes of Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), AMA Group Ltd (ASX: AMA), and Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) all raised significant capital, with Woolies tying theirs to an improvement in their sustainability practices.

Whilst it may reflect a slow news week it is also evidence that boards are taking the opportunity to replace expiring higher-cost debt with borrowing near all-time lows, something that bodes well for long-term profitability.

Commodity prices going crazy

But the week was all about commodities. It started with the falling iron ore price, before a number of lesser-known elements spiked in value for multiple reasons.

Whether it was the uranium price jumping on the massive purchases from an exchange-traded fund or alumina benefitting from another military coup, the sentiment is there, but is it sustainable or another run in momentum?

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.

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At the time of publishing, the author of this article does not have a financial or commercial interest in any of the companies mentioned.

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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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