Guess which 3 ASX 200 shares are leading the charge higher this week

Investors piled into these three ASX 200 shares over the week. But why?

Bernd Struben

Author bio Bernd Struben earned his BA in economics from the University of Michigan in 1991, with post-graduate studies in environmental economics at the University of Connecticut. Over the years he’s written about and analysed the tourism industry in the Caribbean; Europe’s commercial real estate markets; and, since moving to Australia in 2010, global and Aussie share markets. Bernd studies geopolitical and macroeconomic trends, alongside sector and company specific data, to gauge what he believes could be tomorrow's best investments. In his free time, you might find Bernd at the beach with his family or working on his next science fiction novel. Areas of expertise Australian and global share markets Macroeconomic and geopolitical trends Real estate Education Economics, University of Michigan Favorite investment quote "The four most dangerous words in investing are: 'This time it's different." — Sir John Templeton

Published May 31, 2024 1:29 pm AEST

Three S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares did more than their fair share to help stem the benchmark index's losses this week.

With less than half a trading session left in the week, the ASX 200 is down 0.8% since last Friday's closing bell.

The benchmark index is up 0.5% in afternoon trade today and finished up 0.8% on Monday but lost ground on the other three trade days.

However, these three ASX 200 shares managed to gain 4.2%, 6.5% and 9.2% over this same period.

One provides medical imaging technology. Another is a holding company focused on bauxite and alumina. The third is a dairy processor and food manufacturer.

Any guesses?

Keep those in mind as we move on to the big reveal.

Three hikers lift their arms in jubilation as they reach a rocky peak overlooking a sensational view of water and mountains with a blue sky surrounding them. — Image source: Getty Images

Three ASX 200 shares leaping higher this week

First up, we have Alumina Ltd (ASX: AWC).

The Alumina share price closed last Friday at $1.74. At the time of writing, shares are swapping hands for $1.90 apiece, up 9.2%.

With no price sensitive news out from the ASX 200 share this week, investors appear to have been buying the company amid a strong, ongoing increase in global aluminium prices. Aluminium was trading for US$2,621 per tonne last Friday. That same tonne is worth US$2,703 today, up 3.1%.

Aluminium prices are up 16% year to date.

Which brings us to the second ASX 200 share leading the charge higher this week, Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA).

The Bega Cheese share price closed last Friday at $4.31. In afternoon trade today, shares are changing hands for $4.50 apiece, up 4.2%.

All of those gains, and then some, are being scored today, with Bega Cheese shares up 7.2% in intraday trading.

The last price sensitive announcement from the company was way back in February.

So, I believe today's big price surge could be based on investor speculations that milk prices may be coming down over the months ahead, reducing the company's input costs.

Rounding out the list of ASX 200 shares topping the leaderboard this week is Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME).

(Did you guess all three?)

The Pro Medicus share price closed last Friday at $115.70. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $123.23, up 6.5%.

Investors have been bidding up the stock since Tuesday when the company announced it had inked five new customer contracts with a combined value of at least $45 million.

The company said the contracts would be fully cloud-deployed. Management expects them to be completed within the next six months.

Likely helping spur interest in the ASX 200 share, CEO Sam Hupert noted, "Despite record new contract signings this year, our pipeline remains strong with a broad range of opportunities both in terms of size and market segments."

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