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.
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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.
