The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has ended the trading week on a positive note. At the closing bell, the ASX 200 was sitting at 7,406.6 points, up 0.5% for the day.
So let's dig a little deeper into today's trading and see which ASX 200 shares are topping the charts in terms of raw trading volume.
The 3 heaviest traded ASX 200 shares this Friday
Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)
ASX 200 lithium produer Pilbara is our first share to check out today. Pilbara has seen a hefty 16.18 million of its shares swap hands.
However, it's not entirely clear why we are seeing this elevated trading volume here. Not only is there no major news out of the company today, but the Pilbara share price did not do anything too remarkable this Friday.
It closed at $2.05, flat for the day. However, it did rise to $2.10 at one point, as well as dipping as low as $2.03. It may be this volatility that has sparked an elevated level of trading for this company.
Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC)
ASX 200 aluminium producer Alumina is our next share to check out. Alumina has seen a healthy 16.56 million of its shares change hands this Friday.
With no major news or announcements out of the company, we can probably put this high volume down to Alumina's very robust day on the ASX.
Alumina shares finished up a very pleasing 5.85% to $2.17 a share. This is likely due to the soaring price of aluminium on the commodities market in recent weeks and months. And it's this massive share price surge that is probably the cause of Alumina's high trading volume today.
South32 Ltd (ASX :S32)
And last, and most, by trading volume, we have diversified ASX 200 miner South32. This miner has seen a sizeable 28.79 million of its shares find new owners today. Again, there is no major news out of South32 today.
However, like Alumina, the South32 share price had a rager, ending the day 5.88% higher to $3.42 a share. South32 also produces aluminium and alumina, so it's broadly benefitting from the same tailwinds as Alumina today. As such, it's no real surprise that we see so many S32 shares flying around the ASX boards this Friday.
