While the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is a favourite among many market watchers, Australia's very top companies can also be found in another, more niche index.
The S&P/ASX 50 Index (ASX: XFL) is where you'll find Australia's biggest fish. It's a scoreboard of shares with larger market capitalisations and more liquidity than all others on the ASX.
Today, the ASX 50 is down 0.77%. Though, it's gained 11.68% since the beginning of the year. That's ever so slightly better than the ASX 200's 10.8% year-to-date gain.
And these 3 shares are elbowing out the rest. These are the top performing shares of the ASX 50 so far this year.
2021's cream of the ASX 50 crop
Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL)
Having gained 38% so far this year, Aristocrat shares are playing an impressive game.
Currently, one share in this ASX 50 bigwig will cost an investor $42.78.
Aristocrat Leasure is a gaming technology company that produces poker machines (pokies) and casino management systems as well as free-to-play digital games.
The company has a market capitalisation of around $27 billion, with approximately 638 million shares outstanding.
Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC)
The banking giant isn't too far from leading the ASX 50, with the Westpac share price having gained 34.64% since the start of 2021.
Right now, the bank's shares are trading for $26.08.
Westpac is one of Australia's big four banks and the oldest bank in the country.
It's also currently the fourth largest company on the ASX, with a market capitalisation of around $96 billion and approximately 3 billion shares outstanding.
Cochlear Limited (ASX: COH)
The Cochlear share price has gained an impressive 30.85% year to date.
One portion of the company will set an investor back $247.30, making the Cochlear share price among the highest on the ASX.
The company manufactures and sells hearing devices. It's a global leader in its field, distributing its products to more than 20 countries.
Cochlear has a market capitalisation of around $16 billion, with approximately 65 million shares outstanding.
