BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are rising fast on Aussie investors' radars.
That's according to the second quarter (Q2 2024) Top Stocks data just out from online investing platform eToro.
The data revealed that Aussies are continuing to invest in Nvidia Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) and big tech while also increasing their interest in S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) mining stocks.
Atop fast-rising interest in BHP shares, ASX lithium miners Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) and Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) also counted among the top 20 stocks seeing a big rise in investor interest over the past quarter.
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BHP shares see big surge in interest
According to the eToro report, BHP shares saw a 24% boost in Aussie retail investor holdings in Q2 compared to the prior quarter.
Retail investor holdings in Core Lithium shares gained 8%, while Pilbara Minerals shares increased 5%.
Commenting on the rise in interest in BHP stock, eToro market analyst Josh Gilbert said, "We've also seen investors flock back to local miner BHP as the downturn in China's real estate sector shows signs of slowing as the government continues to offer support to the sector."
Gilbert pointed to a recent rise in the iron ore price coupled with the sliding BHP share price as likely driving part of this increased interest.
"There is clearly still a long way to go for China's economy, but with iron ore prices rising in recent months, investors are seeing the weakness in BHP shares this year as an opportunity," he said.
As for international stocks like Nvidia…
Move over Apple
It's not just BHP shares that saw a big increase in interest in Q2.
eToro reported that over the quarter just past, Nvidia overtook Apple Inc (NASDAQ: AAPL) to become the second-most-held stock in Australia. Nvidia continues to dominate AI-related news, likely driving that increased interest.
Elon Musk's Tesla Inc (NASDAQ: TSLA) maintained its number one spot.
According to Gilbert:
Retail investors continued to flock to AI stocks in the second quarter of 2024, as businesses such as Nvidia and TSMC continue to reap the rewards of the biggest technology revolution we've seen for decades.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (BCBA: TSMC) was the second largest riser for the quarter, enjoying a 25% increase in Aussie retail investor holdings over the three months.
And Gilbert forecasts this trend has some legs.
"We're unlikely to see this investor migration to AI stocks ease up anytime soon, as these stocks continue to deliver huge profits quarter after quarter, and other AI winners are sure to emerge in the years ahead," he said.
How have BHP shares been tracking?
Investors may be seeing good value in BHP shares, with the ASX 200 mining stock down 13% in 2024.
