3 ASX 200 stocks smashing the benchmark this week

Investors sent these three ASX 200 stocks racing ahead of the benchmark this week. But why?

| More on:

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

With just a few hours of trade left before Friday's closing bell, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is up 2.5% for the week, with plenty of lifting help from these three surging ASX 200 stocks.

One this week's outperforming companies is a national energy provider, one develops and manages data centres, and the third produces building materials.

Which fast-rising stocks am I talking about?

Read on!

A woman is very excited about something she's just seen on her computer, clenching her fists and smiling broadly.

Image source: Getty Images

ASX 200 stocks leaping higher this week

The first outperforming ASX 200 stock on my list for the week is NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT).

Shares in the data centre operator and developer closed last Friday trading for $12.71. At time of writing, shares are changing hands for $14.28 each. This sees the NextDC share price up 12.4% for the week.

There was no fresh news out from the company this week. But NextDC shares look to have benefited from a broader rebound in US and Aussie tech stocks, following the sharp sell-off last week.

Moving on to the second fast-rising ASX 200 stock this week we have AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL).

Shares in the Aussie energy provider closed last week trading for $8.95. Shares are currently trading for $10.16 each. This puts the AGL share price up 13.6% for the week.

Most of those gains were delivered on Wednesday. AGL shares closed up 11.8% on the day following the release of the company's half year results (H1 FY 2026).

AGL reported underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $1.09 billion for the six months, in line with H1 FY 2025.

While underlying net profit after tax (NPAT) was down 6% year on year to $353 million, management fine-tuned their FY 2026 underlying EBITDA guidance to the range of $2.02 billion to $2.18 billion. Full year NPAT guidance was narrowed to $580 million to $680 million.

Management also declared a fully franked interim dividend of 24 cents per share, up 4.3% from last year's interim payout. AGL shares trade on a fully franked 4.8% dividend yield.

Which brings us to…

Also racing higher

James Hardie Industries PLC (ASX: JHX) shares also raced ahead of the benchmark this week.

Shares in the building materials company closed last week trading for $32.46 and are currently swapping hands for $36.68. That sees this ASX 200 stock up 13.1% for the week.

James Hardie shares closed up 11.8% on Wednesday following the release of the company's third quarter results.

Highlights included a 30% increase in net sales for the three months to US$1.24 billion.

Adjusted EBITDA of US$330 million was up 26%.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Gainers

A panel of four judges hold up cards all showing the perfect score of ten out of ten
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

Investors continued to pull the markets back up today.

Read more »

Two happy excited friends in euphoria mood after winning in a bet with a smartphone in hand.
Share Gainers

Why Brazilian Rare Earths, Lynas, Macquarie Technology, and Ora Banda shares are pushing higher today

These shares are having a good time on hump day. But why?

Read more »

A woman stands in a field and raises her arms to welcome a golden sunset.
Gold

Why this little-known ASX gold share is leaping 28% on Wednesday

Investors just sent this ASX gold share up more than 28%. But why?

Read more »

A man leaps from a stack of gold coins to the next, each one higher than the last.
Gold

Guess which ASX 200 gold stock is rocketing 14% today on 'fantastic results'

Investors are piling into the ASX 200 gold miner on Wednesday following ‘outstanding’ drilling results.

Read more »

Ten happy friends leaping in the air outdoors.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

The markets bounced back with vigour this Tuesday.

Read more »

Excited couple celebrating success while looking at smartphone.
Share Gainers

Why Life360, St George Mining, Telix, and Westgold shares are charging higher today

These shares are having a strong session on Tuesday. Let's find out why.

Read more »

Lines of codes and graphs in the background with woman looking at laptop trying to understand the data.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a horrific start to the trading week this Monday.

Read more »

Fancy font saying top ten surrounded by gold leaf set against a dark background of glittering stars.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a horrid end to the trading week.

Read more »