The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has been on form this year and has recorded a solid gain.
Since the start of the year, the benchmark index has risen 8.2%. And this doesn't include the dividends that have been paid during the period.
But while this gain is great, it pales in comparison to some of the returns that have been generated by a number of ASX 200 shares.
Here are the best-performing ASX 200 shares year to date as we approach the end of the third quarter:
Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)
The Zip share price has been the best performer on the ASX 200 this year with a stunning gain of 339%. Investors have been fighting to get hold of the buy now pay later (BNPL) provider's shares after it defied the odds and delivered profitable growth. The market had been concerned that higher interest rates could cripple its business, but this certainly hasn't been the case. In FY 2024, Zip's revenue was up 28.2% to $868 million and cash EBTDA jumped 243.2% to $69 million. CEO and Managing Director, Cynthia Scott said: "This has been an outstanding year for Zip, with the Company executing against all of its strategic priorities and reinforcing its position as a strong, simplified and profitable business."
Life360 Inc (ASX: 360)
The Life360 share price has been on form this year and recorded a gain of 154%. This has been driven by the location technology company's transition to strong profitable growth and its increasingly positive outlook. Last month, Life360 released its second quarter update and revealed a 23% increase in annualised monthly revenue to US$304.8 million and the almost doubling of its adjusted EBITDA to US$11 million. This was despite including costs relating to its Nasdaq IPO, which has opened up the company to investors on Wall Street.
Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX)
The Telix share price isn't too far behind with a year to date gain of 102%. The catalyst for this has been the sensational growth of the radiopharmaceuticals company's Illuccix product. For example, during the first half of FY 2024, Telix reported revenue growth of 65% to $364 million and a net profit after tax of $29.7 million. This is up from a loss of $14.3 million a year earlier. Excitement around its Pixclara product has also given its shares a boost. It is an investigational PET agent for the characterisation of progressive or recurrent glioma (brain cancer) from treatment related changes in both adult and paediatric patients.
West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF)
The West African Resources share price has delivered the goods this year with an 89% gain. Investors have been buying the gold miner's shares thanks to the sky-high gold price and its strong operational performance. In respect to the latter, executive chairman and CEO, Richard Hyde, commented: "WAF delivered another strong result in H1 2024 producing 107,644 ounces of gold at US$1,223 per ounce AISC, generating A$116 million cashflow from operations." And with the construction of its Kiaka operation progressing well for first gold in the third quarter of 2025, the company is on track to produce 4 million ounces of gold over the next decade.
