S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares rose by 6.8% and provided total gross returns, including dividends, of 10.32% in 2025.
The benchmark index hit a record 9,115.2 points in October before finishing the year at 8,714.31 points.
There are 11 market sectors within the ASX 200.
Here are the ASX 200 shares that experienced the highest capital growth in each sector last year.
2025 stars of each ASX 200 market sector
These were the No.1 shares of each market sector in 2025 based on 12-month share price growth (excluding dividends).
We have ranked the sectors from the strongest to the weakest performers. Four of the 11 sectors lost value last year.
Materials
The ASX 200 materials sector was the best performer of the 11 sectors in 2025.
The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) rose by 31.71% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 36.21%.
Rising commodity prices, particularly gold, silver, copper, and lithium, pushed the sector higher and significantly boosted the miners.
The best performing share within the ASX 200 materials sector was Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR).
Pantoro Gold only joined the benchmark index in the December quarter rebalance.
The Pantoro share price rose 220% to close at $4.89 on 31 December.
Industrials
The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) rose 10.2% and delivered total returns of 13.98%.
ASX 200 defence share DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) was the No.1 stock in the industrials space.
The Droneshield share price ripped 300% to close at $3.08 on 31 December.
Financials
The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) rose 7.97% and delivered total returns of 12.05% in 2025.
Retirement and investment solutions provider Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) was the star of the financials sector.
The Generation Development Group share price rose 65.92% to finish the year at $5.89.
Communications
The S&P/ASX 200 Communications Index (ASX: XTJ) rose 7% and delivered total returns of 10.56% in 2025.
Telecommunications share Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB) was the best performer, rising 40.78% to $5.04 per share.
Aussie Broadband shares ascended into the ASX 200 index in the December rebalance.
Utilities
The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 6.92% and delivered a total return of 13.22%.
Energy infrastructure company APA Group (ASX: APA) was the No.1 ASX 200 utilities share of 2025.
APA Group shares increased 28.69% to close out the year at $8.97 apiece.
Real estate & REITs
The S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate Index (ASX: XPJ) rose 5.03% and delivered total gross returns of 8.38% in 2025.
Property fund manager Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) outperformed its property sector peers.
The ASX 200 real estate investment trust (REIT) closed the year 70.38% higher at $24.45 per share.
Consumer discretionary
The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) increased 1.77% and produced total returns of 4.09%.
Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) outperformed its ASX 200 consumer discretionary peers with 112.78% share price growth.
The Eagers Automotive share price closed at $24.64 on 31 December.
Consumer Staples
The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) weakened 1.43% in 2025.
Dividends mitigated the capital loss, producing a positive total return of 2.01%.
A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) was the top-performing consumer staples share of the year.
The A2 Milk share price lifted 59.34% over the 12 months to finish the year at $9.21.
Energy
The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) fell 2.25% and delivered total gross returns of 3.21%.
ASX 200 uranium explorer Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) experienced the strongest share price growth.
Deep Yellow shares rose by 62.83% to finish the year at $1.84 per share.
Technology
The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) crumbled 21.04%, with a total negative return of 20.08% in 2025.
Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) was the best share in the technology sector last year.
Shares in the electronics solutions provider rose 76.58% to finish the year at $28.43.
Healthcare
Healthcare was the worst-performing sector of 2025.
The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) tumbled 24.91% and delivered a negative total return of 23.66%.
Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) was the No. 1 stock for capital growth in the ASX 200 healthcare sector.
The Neuren Pharmaceuticals share price gained 48.88% to close at $18.61 on 31 December.
