The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is having a pretty depressing day today. At the time of writing, the ASX 200 is down 0.38% to 7,258 points.
But let's not wallow in our grief and instead check out some of the most actively traded ASX 200 shares today.
3 of the ASX 200's most heavily traded shares today
Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)
Lithium miner Pilbara Minerals is our first ASX 200 share worth checking out today. So far this Tuesday, a substantial 12.76 million shares have traded hands. This might be a consequence of the nasty fall Pilbara shares have taken today.
The Pilbara share price is currently down a hefty 2.68% to $1.45 a share after opening at $1.44 and rising as high as $1.50 earlier this morning.
It's probably this volatility that is behind such a large number of shares being traded today. Even after today's fall, Pilbara isn't too far away from the company's 52-week high of $1.60.
Telstra Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLS)
From PLS to TLS. ASX 200 telco Telstra is our second share today. So far, a substantial 15.75 million Telstra shares have changed hands today.
Just like Pilbara, there has been no major news or announcements out of the telco, so it's likely that this high volume is the result of the Telstra share price performance today.
So far, Telstra has lost 0.93% this Tuesday, and is down to $3.72 a share. Even so, Telstra remains up 23% year to date.
Oil Search Ltd (ASX: OSH)
The title of our most traded ASX 200 share today goes to ASX energy company Oil Search. This oil driller has had a fantastic day, in contrast to the broader market.
At the time of writing, Oil Search shares are up a hefty 6.8% to $3.92 a share. This has elicited a whopping 30.85 million Oil Search shares to change owners today.
This big jump can be attributed to the news that was revealed this morning. Fellow energy company Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) put forward a confidential all-scrip merger proposal to Oil Search which would have seen Oil Search shareholders gain 0.589 in Santos shares for each Oil Search share owned.
Oil Search has rejected this offer, saying it did not offer compelling value for shareholders. Even so, investors are clearly still excited for what the future might bring.
