I've just ploughed most of my saved cash into ASX shares

Here's why I put my money to work in the last few weeks.

Man raising both his arms in the air with a piggy bank on his lap, symbolising a record high.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

sdf

The last month has been a fruitful time of investing in ASX shares for my portfolio. In fact, I've put a lot of my saved (investment) cash to work.

When we look at a chart of the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) (in blue on the chart below) over the course of 2023, there is some volatility. But there are much bigger changes when we look at the individual share prices of names like Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) (in yellow) and Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) (in purple). Certainly, those bigger movements can be opportunities.

Why I put a lot of cash into the ASX share market

I decided to use a shorter-term decline to invest in companies that have good long-term prospects.

I'd agree with the saying that 'time in the market is better than timing the market'. But I'm not going to invest in things that seem expensive to me, nor do I want to choose cheap, rubbish companies.

Share prices don't often fall by 10%, 20%, 30%, or more so I want to take advantage of those times when they come along — and I'm going to back myself when valuations seem too good to ignore.

Share prices usually only fall heavily when there's something to be truly worried about, and sometimes we'll see a large number of those names recover quite quickly. I was very fortunate with the timing of my investments – four of them have gone up more than 14% already.

I've written about nearly all of the names that I've invested in.

In this article, I covered my thoughts about Temple & Webster, Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV), Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI), and Johns Lyng Group Ltd (ASX: JLG).

After share price declines of more than 50% for Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) and Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI), I decided to make contrarian plays for both of these stocks, which I covered here and here, respectively.

I've also gone for the beaten-up ASX lithium share Pilbara Minerals which I wrote about here.

I'm not expecting that all of these stocks are going to be in my portfolio until I'm 100. Some of them may only be holdings for three or four years if there's a strong economic rebound in the recovery phase from the current uncertainty.

What now?

I haven't invested every last dollar. I may make one more investment during this burst.

I'm also going to start rebuilding my cash pile and watch the dividends roll in.

But I don't want to sit on the cash forever, even though it is producing solid returns now. It's great that holding cash can give us an interest rate return that starts with a '5' in percentage terms.

With how much economic uncertainty and change there has been, the next 12 months could also open up opportunities, particularly if some individual companies underperform short-term expectations. That may be another chance to invest in companies that look like cheap buys.

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison has positions in Centuria Capital Group, Elders, Johns Lyng Group, Lovisa, Pilbara Minerals, Pinnacle Investment Management Group, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Johns Lyng Group, Lovisa, Pinnacle Investment Management Group, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Pinnacle Investment Management Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Elders, Johns Lyng Group, Lovisa, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Opinions

A young man wearing glasses writes down his stock picks in his living room.
Opinions

2 amazing ASX shares I wish I'd bought earlier

I think these stocks are performing incredibly well.

Read more »

ASX 200 retail shares a woman smiles over the top of multiple shopping bags she is holding in both hands up near her face.
Opinions

Up 90% in a year, is it too late to buy Zip shares?

Should investors buy this stock now or wait until later?

Read more »

A trio of ASX shares analysts huddle together in an office with computer screens all around them showing share price movements
Opinions

2 of the best ASX 200 shares to buy right now

I think these stocks are excellent buys for the long-term.

Read more »

Concept image of a businessman riding a bull on an upwards arrow.
Opinions

I'm very bullish on these 2 ASX stocks

I think these are two of the best ASX investments money can buy.

Read more »

Young businesswoman sitting in kitchen and working on laptop.
Opinions

Should I buy Berkshire Hathaway or Soul Patts shares?

Both have been stand out investments over the long term.

Read more »

A photo of a young couple who are purchasing fruits and vegetables at a market shop.
Opinions

Here are 2 of the ASX's most hated shares. Which should I consider buying?

Could today's dogs be tomorrow's stars?

Read more »

A man sits in deep thought with a pen held to his lips as he ponders his computer screen with a laptop open next to him on his desk in a home office environment.
Opinions

Where I'd invest $5,000 into ASX shares today

I’m excited by what these stocks can achieve.

Read more »

An analyst wearing a dark blue shirt and glasses sits at his computer with his chin resting on his hands as he looks at the CBA share price movement today
Opinions

What are Soul Patts shares worth?

This company has delivered strong gains. But what is its intrinsic value?

Read more »