The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 6.8% and gave investors a total return, including dividends, of 10.32% last year.
As always, some ASX 200 shares shot the lights out, delivering far more capital growth than the market average.
In fact, some even doubled their market capitalisation.
Here are three examples.
Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM)
ASX 200 large-cap gold mining share Newmont Corporation soared 152% to finish 2025 at $150.20 apiece.
The Newmont share price ripped on the back of a 65% rally in the gold price, the strongest year of gains since 1979.
Citi reiterated its buy rating on Newmont shares this week.
The broker raised its share price target from $160 to $177.
Goldman Sachs also reiterated its buy rating and lifted its price target from $154.50 to $185.10.
Ord Minnett also has a buy rating with a price target of $160.
Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE)
Eagers Automotive shares were among the fastest risers of the ASX 200 retail sector in 2025, up 113% to $24.64 apiece.
Jefferies upgraded its rating on Eagers Automotive shares to a buy this month.
The broker has a 12-month share price target of $29.50 on the car retailer.
Canaccord Genuity also has a buy rating on Eagers with a share price target of $33.60.
MA Financial rates the ASX 200 retail share a hold with a price target of $35.90.
Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)
ASX 200 defence share, Austal, increased 116% to close at $6.69 per share on 31 December.
Austal shares actually went much higher than this, hitting a 52-week peak of $8.60 in October.
The shipbuilder is Australia's largest defence industry exporter.
Austal's customers include the Australian Navy and the US Navy, and it owns shipyards in the US, Australia, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Last year, Austal won several new contracts, including a $1.029 billion design and construct contract for the Australian Army.
Last month, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) approved an application lodged by South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Corp to buy up to a 19.9% stake in Austal.
Hanwha is a Fortune 500 company that offered to buy Austal for $2.825 per share in cash in 2024.
Since the approval, Hanwha has not purchased any further shares.
Bell Potter has a hold rating on this ASX 200 share with a 12-month target price of $8.
Citi also has a hold rating on Austal with a price target of $7.86.
Petra Capital also has a hold rating with a price target of $7.07.
