Not all S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stocks are created equal.
As the performance charts from November clearly demonstrate.
Below we look at the four ASX 200 stocks you would have done really well to buy at market close on 31 October and hold onto throughout the month just past.
As a baseline, the ASX 200 slipped 3% over the month.
Aussie lithium miners blast off in November
You'll notice a certain similarity between three of the top-performing ASX 200 stocks in November.
Namely, they all earn their keep by hunting for and producing lithium.
The miners all enjoyed strong tailwinds as the lithium carbonate price rocketed more than 16% in November to reach its highest levels in 17 months. This came as markets eyed potentially stronger demand growth for grid storage and EV batteries than previously forecast, particularly in China.
This helped propel Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) shares from $1.18 on 31 October to end November trading for $1.44, up 22%. There has been no fresh price-sensitive news out from the miner since the company's quarterly update, released on 28 October.
Down 0.7% today, Liontown shares are up 150% in 2025.
Rival Aussie lithium producer Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) also enjoyed a stellar November.
Pilbara Minerals shares closed out October trading for $3.30 and ended November trading for $4.05 each. This put the Pilbara Minerals share price up 22.7% over the month, also without any fresh price-sensitive announcements.
Down 1.9% today, Pilbara Minerals shares are up 79.9% in 2025.
Moving on to the third top-performing ASX 200 stock in November, we find lithium miner IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO).
IGO shares ended October trading for $5.27 each and closed out November trading for $6.77 apiece. This put the IGO share price up 26.1% in the month just past, again without any new price-sensitive news out from the company.
Up 0.9% today, IGO shares have gained 40.5% in 2025.
Which brings us to…
The best ASX 200 stock to have bought and held in November
The top performing ASX 200 stock on my list for November is gaming company Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW).
Light & Wonder shares closed on 31 October trading for $109.47. When the closing bell sounded on 28 November, shares were changing hands for $153 each. This saw the Light & Wonder share price up an impressive 39.8% over the month.
Up 1.6% today, shares in the gaming company have gained 11.4% in 2025.
The ASX 200 stock got a boost following a strong third-quarter results announcement.
Shares closed up 8.2% on 6 November following the release of the company's Q3 earnings results.
Highlights catching ASX investor interest included a 78% increase in net income to $114 million.
And on the bottom line, adjusted net profit after tax and amortisation (NPATA) increased by 25% to $153 million.
