This year has been a rollercoaster for fans of ASX shares. Many were likely both overjoyed and blindsided by much of what went down in 2022.
Cast your mind back to the start of this year. If you're anything like me, you were probably focused on rising inflation, COVID-19's Omicron variant, and Block Inc (ASX: SQ2)'s acquisition of former market darling Afterpay.
Who would have predicted the Reserve Bank of Australia would embark on its fastest series of rate hikes in decades, dragging tech shares down, and Russia would invade Ukraine, sending energy commodity prices soaring?
But ASX investors didn't shy away from the chaos. Instead, they turned to mining, technology, and lithium shares. That's according to new data from trading and superannuation platform Superhero.
Here are the five S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares that have proven the platform's most popular Aussie stocks of 2022.
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ASX investors flocked to these 5 shares in 2022
2022 was a volatile year for markets around the globe, with the ASX coming out better than most. The ASX 200 has slumped 5% since the start of 2022 while the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO) has tumbled 7%.
But Aussie investors didn't let the downturn dent their confidence. Around 70% of all trades on Superhero between 1 January and 30 November were buys. And which ASX stock saw the lion's share of trades?
It was none other than Northern Territory-based lithium developer Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO).
This year saw the company working on its Finniss Lithium Project. It's expected to begin shipping lithium concentrate in early 2023. The Core Lithium share price has gained 83% year to date to trade at $1.15 today.
Interestingly, Core Lithium was the most popular ASX share in all states and territories except Tasmania. The island state instead favourited Lithium Energy Ltd (ASX: LEL).
Coming in second best on the platform were Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) shares.
The lithium producer posted its maiden profit in financial year 2022 and expects to offer its maiden dividend this fiscal year. The Pilbara Minerals share price has gained 28% this year to reach $4.52.
The third most popular share on Superhero in 2022 was iron ore favourite Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG). The stock has traded flat this year amid falling iron ore prices, reaching $19.93 today.
In fourth place was tech share and ASX 200 newbie BrainChip Holdings Ltd (ASX: BRN). The company works in neuromorphic computing – a branch of artificial intelligence.
Interestingly, the BrainChip share price has tumbled 7% this year to trade at 73 cents today. Though, it's worth noting it has outperformed many of its peers – the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) has plunged 32% year to date.
Finally, Superhero's fifth most popular ASX share of 2022 is none other than mining giant BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP). Shares in the iron ore goliath have lifted 8% so far this year to reach $45.83 right now.
