S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares rose 2.77% and delivered total returns, including dividends, of 7% in FY26.
The benchmark index hit a record 9,202.9 points on 26 February before finishing the year at 8,778.7 points on 30 June.
There are 11 market sectors within the ASX 200.
In this article, we name the top-performing shares by capital growth in each market sector.
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No. 1 shares of the ASX 200 market sectors
These were the No.1 shares of each market sector based on 12-month share price growth (excluding dividends).
We have listed the sectors from strongest to weakest.
Six of the 11 sectors declined in value last year.
Materials
The ASX 200 materials sector was the best performer by far.
The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 47.48% and produced total returns of 52.11% in FY26.
Australia is in the midst of a new mining boom with five key factors driving a new commodities supercycle.
The green energy transition, artificial intelligence (AI) build-out, and central banks diversifying their reserves with gold drove strong commodity price rises in FY26.
The best performing share within the ASX 200 materials sector was gold explorer, Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6).
The Minerals 260 share price ripped 508% to finish at 73 cents per share on 30 June.
Consumer Staples
The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) rose 10.09% and delivered total returns of 13.72%.
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) was the top-performing consumer staples share of the year.
The Woolworths share price rose 28.67% to $40.03 in FY26.
Energy
The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) rose 9.37% and delivered total gross returns of 14.51%.
ASX 200 coal producer New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) recorded the strongest share price growth.
New Hope Corporation shares increased 44.32% to finish the year at $5.34 per share.
Utilities
The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) rose 5.89% and delivered a total return of 11.87%.
Energy infrastructure company APA Group (ASX: APA) was the best performer of the utilities sector.
The APA Group share price ascended 24.11% to finish FY26 at $10.14.
Industrials
The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) edged 1.69% higher and produced total returns of 5.24%.
ASX 200 defence share Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) recorded the highest capital growth.
The Electro Optic Systems share price soared 261% to finish the year at $10.30.
Financials
The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) fell 1.89% in value, but dividends lifted the total return into the green at 1.69%.
New Zealand-based infrastructure investment company, Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT) was the best performer of the financials sector.
The Infratil share price lifted 28.8% to finish the year at $12.61.
Consumer discretionary
The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) fell 3.56% and produced a total negative return of 1.21%.
The Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) share price experienced the most growth in the consumer discretionary sector.
The Eagers Automotive share price rose 21.83% to finish the year at $21.26.
Real estate & REITs
The S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate Index (ASX: XPJ) dropped 5.32% and delivered a total negative return of 2.24%.
Property fund manager Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) outshone its property sector peers.
The ASX real estate investment trust (REIT) rose 19.12% to $22.66 on 30 June.
Communications
The S&P/ASX 200 Communications Index (ASX: XTJ) tanked 12.4% and delivered a negative total return of 9.41%.
Telco stock Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB) rose the most in FY26.
The Aussie Broadband share price ripped 26.09% to $4.93 on 30 June.
Technology
The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) dove 37.22%, with a total negative return of 36.97% in FY26.
Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) shares outperformed in the technology sector last year.
The Codan share price screamed 119.49% higher to $44.14 on 30 June.
Healthcare
Healthcare was the worst-performing sector of FY26.
The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) tumbled 37.4% and delivered a negative total return of 36.15%.
The 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) share price was absolutely unstoppable in FY26.
Shares in 4DMedical skyrocketed 1,786% to $4.53 on 30 June.
The respiratory imaging tech company was not only the shining star of the healthcare sector.
It was also the No. 1 stock for capital growth overall in FY26.
