Time to get personal. Like many, if not most, investors, 2022 was a tough year for my ASX shares. With the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) losing 5.5% last year, it was always going to be hard for an ASX portfolio to break even.
But I still had more than a few winners helping to offset some of the losses in my portfolio. So I shall now reveal my top three best-performing ASX shares of 2022, and why I reckon they will continue to be winners in 2023.
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My top 3 ASX shares of 2022
National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB)
NAB is an ASX share that needs little introduction. It is now the second-largest ASX bank share on the market by market capitalisation, only behind Commonwelath Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA). NAB is one of my oldest investments, and I have been loath to sell it before out of pure, foolish nostalgia.
But these days, I am quite happy to hold it as one of my investments, helped by the 4.2% share price gain I enjoyed last year. That came with a healthy dividend too, which boosted my returns by another 7% or so.
I have been impressed with the business' performance since CEO Ross McEwan took over a few years ago and I think NAB will prove a solid investment in 2023 and beyond accordingly.
Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES)
Wesfarmers is a newer position of mine. I was fortunate enough to buy some shares when this company was really on the nose back in October.
Since then, I have enjoyed double-digit gains on my position, with my only regret being that I didn't buy more. That's despite the Wesfarmers share price losing more than 22% of its value over the entire calendar year.
I think Wesfarmers is one of the top-tier ASX shares on our market. It has an incredibly diverse earnings base, with stakes in a wide range of retail and industrial businesses.
Its crown jewel Bunnings is one of the best-run retailers in the country too. Accordingly, this is a company that I have no plans to ever sell.
A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M)
A2 Milk rounds out my top performers of 2022. A2 Milk shares had a pretty great year last year, considering the returns of the broader market.
This company enjoyed a 26% or so rise over 2022, which makes it my best-performing ASX share of the year. We can probably thank improving business conditions, as well as China's moves towards reopening, for these gains.
Unfortunately, I bought A2 Milk shares back in 2021 and, even after these healthy gains, I am still underwater. But even so, it's been nice to see such a spirited recovery for this embattled share.
I think A2 still has a lot of potential and I think 2023 will be another great year for this former market darling.
