It's been a stellar day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) so far this Wednesday. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has currently added a healthy 1.41%, and is comfortably back over 7,100 points, sitting at 7,105.7 points at the time of writing.
So it probably won't come as a surprise to learn we have seen a raft of ASX 200 shares hit new 52-week highs amid this palpable optimism.
Let's get into them.
5 ASX 200 shares hitting new 52-week highs this Wednesday
First up is ASX 200 iron ore giant Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG). Yesterday, we covered Fortescue's ascent to a new two-year high. Well, today, Twiggy's baby has gone the extra mile. Fortescue clocked another new 52-week high of $25.38 just after midday today. The miner is currently up a massive 3.51% at $25.20 a share.
There's been no fresh news out from the company, so at least some of today's rises probably come down to the recent surge in iron ore prices.
CAR Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) (formerly Carsales) shares are next up. This online classifieds company is also enjoying some time in the sun, currently up 0.61% to $29.68 a share. However, the company's share price hit a new 52-week high of $30.30 this afternoon, which is also an all-time record.
Again, we've had no specific developments out of the company recently. But momentum in Car Group shares has been building ever since the company released some well-received full-year earnings back in August.
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) is another ASX 200 share being showered with investor love today. This real estate investment trust (REIT) has vaulted an impressive 3.49% higher this Wednesday to $23.57 a unit at present. But just after midday, the REIT clocked a new 52-week high of $23.62 per unit.
With no news on the Goodman front today, it looks as though some recent praise from a few ASX brokers could be at play for this unbridled optimism we are seeing.
Two more new 52-week highs
Let's now move on to healthcare share Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME). Pro Medicus shares have long been a winner for ASX investors, and we see this continuing as we speak. The company has put on a solid 2.51% at present, pushing the ASX 200 stock to $87.71 a share. Earlier in the session though, we saw Pro Medicus hit a new 52-week, and all-time, high of $88.36 a share.
It seems the catalyst here might be the flurry of new contract wins the company has banked over November so far. The most recent of these we discussed on Monday.
Finally, let's talk about ASX 200 construction company James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX). James Hardie stock saw a fresh new 52-week high of $49 just after market open this morning. Since then, the shares have cooled off a little, but are still up a pleasing 2.47% at $47.30 each.
James Hardie shares have been rising rapidly ever since the company revealed its full-year earnings last week. Since those earnings dropped on 8 November, the company has now gained a whopping 14.85%.
