With just half a day of trade left in the week, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.8% since last Friday's close, despite the best lifting efforts of these three surging ASX 200 stocks.
Which stocks are bucking the selling trend and storming higher?
I'm glad you asked!
ASX 200 stocks charging higher
The first two companies leaping ahead in this week's slumping market are Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) and Emerald Resources NL (ASX: EMR), both ASX 200 gold stocks.
Greatland Resources shares closed last Friday, trading for $7.13, and are currently trading for $7.56. That sees the Greatland Resources share price up 6%.
Emerald Resources also is enjoying a strong run this week. Shares closed last week at $4.74 and are currently changing hands for $5.15 each, up 8.7% for the week.
There was no fresh price-sensitive news out from either of the ASX 200 stocks this week, with both having reported their third-quarter updates last week.
But it appears both gold miners are rebounding from the broader sell-off in gold stocks that accompanied the 10% decline in the gold price from its all-time highs last week. Currently at US$3,999 per ounce, the gold price has been fairly stable this week. And a number of analysts are forecasting that the yellow metal's bull run has a way to run yet.
According to Saxo Bank's head of commodity strategy, Ole Hansen:
Gold's pause still looks like a breather, not a breakdown. Seasonal softness, temporary Chinese policy noise, and a firmer [US] dollar explain the short-term retreat, but none change the longer-term narrative.
The same forces that fuelled this year's rally … are likely to reassert themselves, making the next meaningful leg higher a 2026 story.
Leading the pack
Which brings us to the best performing ASX 200 stock on my list for the week, Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW).
Shares in the multinational gaming company closed last week trading for $109.47. In afternoon trade today, shares are changing hands for $125.35 apiece.
This sees the Light & Wonder share price up 14.5% in this week's falling market.
There was plenty going on with the company this week, with Light & Wonder reporting its September quarterly results on Thursday and announcing an extension of its US$1.5 billion (AU$2.3 billion) share buyback to also encompass its CHESS Depositary Interests (CDIs) on the ASX.
The ASX 200 stock announced the expansion of its share repurchase program from US$1 billion to US$1.5 billion on 31 July.
Highlights from the September quarterly results included a 70% year-on-year increase in net income to US$114 million.
And on the bottom line, Light & Wonder's adjusted net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) increased by 25% from Q3 2024 to US$153 million.
