As we enter the final hours of trading on Friday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up a slender 0.1% for the week, with these four ASX 200 stocks doing a lot of the heavy lifting.
We have a diversified mix of companies on our top performers list this week.
One is a major bank, another provides building materials, the third is a coal miner, and the fourth is a fast-growing copper and gold producer.
Here's what's been happening this week.
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ASX 200 stocks racing higher this week
The first outperforming company this week is Judo Capital Holdings Limited (ASX: JDO).
Shares in the ASX 200 bank stock closed last Friday trading for $1.60. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $1.71 each. This sees the Judo share price up 7% for the week.
With no fresh price-sensitive news out from the bank, investors may believe the stock could benefit amid increasing expectations that the RBA may raise interest rates in early 2026. High rates should help improve the bank's net interest margin (NIM).
The second ASX 200 stock smashing the benchmark's returns this week is Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU).
Shares in the New Zealand-based building and materials company closed last week at $2.93 and are currently trading at $3.14 apiece. This puts the Fletcher Building share price up 7.2% for the week.
This morning, the company announced additional steps it is taking to simplify its funding structure. Those steps include repaying all outstanding US Private Placement notes as well as securing new debt facilities.
"These steps represent another milestone in strengthening our financial foundations," Fletcher Building CEO Andrew Reding said.
"Simplifying our funding structure and extending key facilities gives us greater flexibility, lowers our ongoing cost of capital, and supports the disciplined execution of our strategic reset," Reding added.
Moving on to the third ASX 200 stock racing ahead of the benchmark this week, we find Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC).
Shares in the Aussie coal miner closed last Friday trading for $6.93. In afternoon trade today, shares are changing hands for $7.65 each. This sees the Whitehaven share price up 10.5% over the week.
There are no new price-sensitive announcements out from Whitehaven this week. But investors may be buying the ASX coal stock amid the company's ongoing share buyback program and with an eye on potential rising coal prices as we enter the northern winter months.
Leading the charge
Edging out Whitehaven to lead the charge higher this week is Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP).
Shares in the Australian gold and copper producer closed last week trading at $7.55 and are currently trading at $8.40 each. That sees this ASX 200 stock up 11% for the week.
The company owns a number of quality mines in Western Australia, where it is also developing its Havieron gold and copper project.
The miner discovered Havieron in 2018 and retook 100% ownership of the project 12 months ago.
Greatland Resources shares closed up 10.2% on Monday after the company released the feasibility study for the project.
Commenting on the study, Greatland managing director Shaun Day said:
Today, we are delighted to deliver our Feasibility Study which confirms Havieron's world-class quality and sets the pathway for its development into a long-life, low cost, leading Australian gold-copper mine that will integrate efficiently with the existing infrastructure at Telfer.
The results of the study are robust, generating an IRR [internal rate of return] of 22.5% at a long term $4,500 per ounce gold price. At a long term price equal to the current spot gold price, this rises to 31.5% IRR.
