The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has given up an early morning boost and is now disappointingly well back in red territory. At the time of writing, the index has retreated by 0.15% and is back under 7,020 points.
But this dip has failed to stop three ASX 200 shares from hitting new 52-week highs this Thursday. Let's dive into them now.
3 ASX 200 shares at new 52-week highs this Thursday
Seven Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SVW)
First up is Seven Group, the ASX 200 conglomerate run by the Stokes family. Seven shares are currently up a rosy 0.53% at $30.59 each. But earlier today, the company climbed as high as $30.84 a share, which is Seven's new 52-week high watermark, as well as a new all-time record high.
There's been no fresh news out of Seven that we can point to in justifying this new high. But this company has been in high demand for a few months now, with the Seven share price up around 24% since the start of July. It was only a few days since Seven Group's last new 52-week high as well. Year to date, the Seven share price has now risen by a pleasing 45.7%.
Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME)
ASX 200 healthcare share Pro Medicus is next up. Pro Medicus shares have gained a robust 1.11% so far today and are currently asking $81.56 each. Just after midday though, the company rose up to a new 52-week high of $82.25. That's also a new all-time high for Pro Medicus shares.
Earlier this week, Pro Medicus revealed it had won a new $140 million contract with Baylor Scott & White Health, which seems to be the catalyst behind this latest surge in Pro Medicus shares.
Since Monday, the Pro Medicus share price has risen by a whopping 14.7%. That puts Pro Medicus shares up 50.2% in 2023 so far.
United Malt Group Ltd (ASX: UMG)
ASX 200 malt share United Malt Group rounds out our list today. United Malt shares are presently asking $4.94 each, up 0.3% so far. But just after market open this morning, we saw United Malt hit a new 52-week high of $4.96.
We probably don't need to look too far with this one. United Malt is currently in takeover talks with the French maltster Malteries Soufflet SAS. Earlier this year, Malteries Soufflet made a bid for United Malt Group at $5 a share.
This morning, we learnt that Malteries Soufflet has gained approval from the French government for the takeover. This means that the takeover is one step closer. So it's no surprise to see the shares edging up further towards the takeover price today.
This puts United Malt shares up 41.7% this year to date.
