The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a pretty strong day today, shaking yesterday's loss off. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is up a solid 0.37% to 7,385.5 points.
So let's take a look at which ASX 200 shares have been the most active today, thus far.
The 3 most traded ASX 200 shares today
South32 Ltd (ASX: S32)
Diversified ASX miner South32 once again makes the list today, with 11.29 million shares having swapped hands so far this Friday. Probably assisting this heavy trading is the sell off in the South32 share price today. Currently, South32 shares are down 0.645 to $2.78. As we've mentioned this week, South32 has also been buying back its own shares with relative consistency in recent days and weeks. So perhaps this is adding to the trading count today as well. There are no other major news or announcements out of South32 today so far.
Boral Limited (ASX: BLD)
Construction materials company Boral is another ASX 200 share that is making its way around the ASX boards today. A hefty 14.16 million Boral shares have changed owners today. Boral shares have been bouncing around somewhat today, but are up a fairly mild 0.72% currently to $6.78 a share.
Even so, it's possible that the takeover news we received on Boral this morning has something to do with today's volumes. As my Fool colleague Brooke covered earlier today, Seven Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SVW) has extended its takeover offer of $6.50 a share for Boral to 30 June. Boral has advised shareholders to reject it, saying it undervalues the company.
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)
Telstra is topping the ASX 200 Index in terms of being the most actively traded share on the market today. A weighty 17.05 million Telstra shares have swapped hands so far, helped no doubt by Telstra's meaty 2.56% rise to $3.60 a share.
We might also have another catalyst for this situation today. Telstra reported this morning that it will complete its delisting from the New Zealand Stock Exchange by the close of business today. Kiwis who own New Zealand Telstra shares will have them replaced with ASX-listed shares over this weekend (a welcome to the big leagues for those investors). This could understandably be pushing up the trading volumes of Telstra today.
