The ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) was eventful again this week. Here are four big stories you may have missed that affected the ASX 200 index:
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) suffers another royal commission headache
NAB hasn't had a good time since the start of the royal commission. First the major ASX bank lost its CEO & chairman and this week it announced a large hit to its upcoming half year result.
There are additional charges of $749 million, or $525 million after tax, of customer remediation. FY19 first half cash earnings will be reduced by an estimated $325 million and earnings from discontinued operations will be reduced by an estimated $200 million.
Unemployment rate rises
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reported that the unemployment rate increased to 5%, up from 4.9%.
A 0.1% increase in unemployment doesn't mean the world is ending at all, but it's a negative movement that is worth monitoring if it trends higher. Perhaps that's why investors sent the SEEK Limited (ASX: SEK) share price lower by 0.3% by the end of Thursday's trading.
What's going on with Afterpay Touch Group Ltd (ASX: APT)?
The buy now, pay later business' US subsidiary has been in the headlines this week.
Afterpay Inc has supposedly been giving out options to staff and consultants to attract "world class talent". However, this means that perhaps up to 10% of the US business isn't owned by the ASX-listed Afterpay.
If it is indeed true then Afterpay's future valuation might not be worth as much if the ASX investors don't benefit as much from US growth.
Another takeover
Paint giant DuluxGroup Limited (ASX: DLX) received a large takeover offer from Nippon Paint during the week, which has already been fully recommended by the DuluxGroup Board, so it seems that the takeover is going to go ahead. That's why the DuluxGroup share price shot up this week.
