The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is continuing to build on the losses we've seen for most of the week today, with another session of selling. So far this Thursday, the ASX 200 has again seen a fall in value, with the index currently nursing a 0.15% loss, putting it at just under 7,245 points.
But let's not dwell too long on all of that. Instead, it's a great time to take stock of the shares that are currently at the top of the ASX 200's share trading volume charts, according to investing.com.
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The 3 most traded ASX 200 shares by volume this Thursday
Allkem Ltd (ASX: AKE)
First up today is ASX 200 lithium share Allkem. This session has had a strong 14.03 million Allkem shares swap owners on the ASX thus far. There is little mystery as to Allkem's presence on this list today. As we covered this morning, the company had some big news to share with investors.
Allkem will be merging with the US lithium giant Livent Corp by the end of the year in an all-stock merger. Investors are delighted with this news, judging by the fact the Allkem share price has rocketed almost 18% to $15.21 a share at the time of writing. So it's no surprise to see so many shares flying around.
PIlbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS)
Next up we have another ASX 200 lithium stock in Pilbara Minerals. So far today, a sizeable 42.17 million PiIbara shares have changed hands as it currently stands. We haven't heard any news out of Pilbara itself this Thursday.
But the Allkem merger seems to have lit a fire under this entire corner of the ASX. In PiIbara's case, we have seen an impressive 5.3% rise in the company's shares, putting them at $4.79 each. So this looks like the cause of this elevated trading volume on display here.
Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA)
Thirdly, it's time for a look at yet another ASX 200 lithium stock in Sayona Mining. A whopping 67.7 million Sayona shares have been bought and sold on the share market this session. And once again, it seems that the big news out of Allkem is probably to thank for this high volume.
In Sayona's case, investors have watched as this company has spiked by a lucrative 7.5% up to 21.5 cents a share. It's almost certainly this big surge in value that has driven such high trading figures.
