S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares lifted by 7.49% in 2024 and delivered total gross returns, including dividends, of 11.44%.
The index hit an all-time record high of 8,514.5 points on 3 December.
There are 11 market sectors comprising the benchmark index.
Here are the No. 1 ASX 200 shares for capital growth in each sector for 2024.
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Best ASX 200 shares of each market sector
These were the No. 1 stocks of each market sector in 2024 based on 12-month share price growth (excluding dividend returns).
Technology
Social networking app owner Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) was the best share in the technology sector in 2024.
Life360 shares rose by 198% to close at $22.54 on 31 December.
This compared to a 49.54% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ).
ASX technology shares represented the best-performing sector overall in 2024.
Industrials
ASX 200 airline share Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) was the No. 1 stock in the industrials sector.
The Qantas share price flew 67% higher over the 12 months to close at $8.97 on 31 December.
This compared to a 17.39% gain for the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ).
Healthcare
Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) was the top riser among ASX 200 healthcare shares in 2024.
Sigma shares gained 162% over the 12 months to close at $2.62 apiece on 31 December.
This compared to a 6.01% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ).
Energy
The ASX 200 coal miner Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) was the top performer in the ASX 200 energy sector last year.
Yancoal shares rose by 31.3% to finish the year at $6.50 per share on 31 December.
This compared to an 18.83% slumping for the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ).
ASX energy shares represented the worst-performing sector of 2024.
Materials
In the materials sector, West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) was the top stock for price growth.
The ASX 200 gold mining share ascended 51.05% in 2024.
This compared to a 17.27% decline for the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ).
ASX material shares represented the second-worst-performing sector of 2024.
Financials
Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) was one of the greatest comeback stories of the year in 2024.
The ASX 200 financial share soared 352.5% higher to close at $2.96 on 31 December.
This compared to a 28.22% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ).
This made ASX 200 financial shares representative of the second-best-performing sector of the year.
Utilities
Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) was the No. 1 utilities stock of 2024 amid rising retail electricity prices.
The Origin share price lifted 28.7% over the year to close at $10.90 on 31 December.
This compared to a 10.43% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ).
Consumer discretionary
Mexican restaurant operator and franchisor Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) only began trading in June, but its share price rose faster than all other ASX 200 consumer discretionary shares.
The Guzman Y Gomez share price rose by 84.4% from its initial public offering (IPO) price of $22 per share to its closing price of $40.57 on 31 December.
This compared to a 20.71% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ).
Consumer Staples
Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) was the best-performing consumer staples share of the year.
The Bega stock price lifted 63% over the 12 months.
This compared to a 4.4% fall in the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ).
Real estate & REITs
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) outperformed its real estate sector peers by a long shot in 2024.
With 40.9% share price growth, Goodman benefitted from its strategic focus on data centres amid soaring demand for artificial intelligence worldwide. Goodman shares closed the year at $35.64.
This compared to a 12.36% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate Index (ASX: XPJ).
Communications
News Corporation CDI (ASX: NWS) was the best-performing share within the ASX communications sector.
The News Corp share price lifted 31.4% to close at $49.50 on 31 December.
This compared to a 2.47% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Communications Index (ASX: XTJ).
