The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a relatively decent time in June. During the month, the benchmark index rose by 0.85% to end the period at 7,767.5 points.
While that was positive, a number of ASX 200 shares were able to smash the market with significantly stronger returns.
Here are the best performing ASX 200 shares in June:
Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX)
The Strike Energy share price was far and away the best performer on the benchmark index with a 40% gain. This was driven partly by the release of an update on the Walyering-7 (W7) well within the Perth Basin. According to the release, W7 has intersected a high-quality conventional gas accumulation to the north-east of the currently producing Walyering gas field. In addition, the company announced plans to re-shape its South Erregulla project to a peaking power facility to firm renewable capacity in the Western Australian electricity market.
Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP)
The Bapcor share price was the next best performer with a gain of 21% in June. This was driven by news that the auto parts retailer received an unsolicited, indicative, conditional and non-binding takeover proposal from Bain Capital. Bapcor shareholders would receive $5.40 cash per share from the private equity giant. As things stand, the Bapcor board is still considering the offer. It has warned that "there is no guarantee that the Indicative Proposal put forward by Bain Capital will result in a binding offer or that any transaction will eventuate."
Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME)
The Pro Medicus share price was on form again and rose 19.3% over the month. Investors have been buying this health imaging company's shares since the announcement of five new contracts with a combined minimum contract value of $45 million at the end of May. Management advised that the contracts will be fully cloud deployed and are expected to be completed within the next six months. Goldman Sachs responded positively to the news. Its analysts reiterated their buy rating and lifted their price target on Pro Medicus' shares to $136.00. Its shares have now surpassed this, hitting a record high of $144.34 on the final trading day of June.
Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS)
The Healius share price had a strong month and rose 18% over the period. Interestingly, this was despite the pathology services company downgrading its earnings guidance for FY 2024. It now expects underlying FY 2024 EBITDA of between $345 million to $350 million. Underlying EBIT is expected to be between $60 million and $65 million. However, it did report improving pathology volumes for the half year to date. This may have given sentiment a boost.
