Best ASX 200 share of each market sector in 2024
S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares lifted by 7.49% in 2024 and delivered total gross returns, including dividends, of 11.44%.
The index hit an all-time record high of 8,514.5 points on 3 December.
There are 11 market sectors comprising the benchmark index.
Here are the No. 1 ASX 200 shares for capital growth in each sector for 2024.
Best ASX 200 shares of each market sector
These were the No. 1 stocks of each market sector in 2024 based on 12-month share price growth (excluding dividend returns).
Technology
Social networking app owner Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) was the best share in the technology sector in 2024.
Life360 shares rose by 198% to close at $22.54 on 31 December.
This compared to a 49.54% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ).
ASX technology shares represented the best-performing sector overall in 2024.
Industrials
ASX 200 airline share Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: X) was the No. 1 stock in the industrials sector.
The Qantas share price flew 67% higher over the 12 months to close at $8.97 on 31 December.
This compared to a 17.39% gain for the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ).
Healthcare
Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) was the top riser among ASX 200 healthcare shares in 2024.
Sigma shares gained 162% over the 12 months to close at $2.62 apiece on 31 December.
This compared to a 6.01% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ).
Energy
The ASX 200 coal miner Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) was the top performer in the ASX 200 energy sector last year.
Yancoal shares rose by 31.3% to finish the year at $6.50 per share on 31 December.
This compared to an 18.83% slumping for the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ).
ASX energy shares represented the worst-performing sector of 2024.
Materials
In the materials sector, West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) was the top stock for price growth.
The ASX 200 gold mining share ascended 51.05% in 2024.
This compared to a 17.27% decline for the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ).
ASX material shares represented the second-worst-performing sector of 2024.
Financials
Zip was one of the greatest comeback stories of the year in 2024.
The ASX 200 financial share soared 352.5% higher to close at $2.96 on 31 December.
This compared to a 28.22% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ).
This made ASX 200 financial shares representative of the second-best-performing sector of the year.
Utilities
Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) was the No. 1 utilities stock of 2024 amid rising retail electricity prices.
The Origin share price lifted 28.7% over the year to close at $10.90 on 31 December.
This compared to a 10.43% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ).
Consumer discretionary
Mexican restaurant operator and franchisor Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) only began trading in June, but its share price rose faster than all other ASX 200 consumer discretionary shares.
The Guzman Y Gomez share price rose by 84.4% from its initial public offering (IPO) price of $22 per share to its closing price of $40.57 on 31 December.
This compared to a 20.71% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ).
Consumer Staples
Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) was the best-performing consumer staples share of the year.
The Bega stock price lifted 63% over the 12 months.
This compared to a 4.4% fall in the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ).
Real estate & REITs
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) outperformed its real estate sector peers by a long shot in 2024.
With 73.1% share price growth, Goodman benefitted from its strategic focus on data centres amid soaring demand for artificial intelligence worldwide. Goodman shares closed the year at $35.64.
This compared to a 12.36% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate Index (ASX: XPJ).
Communications
News Corporation CDI (ASX: NWS) was the best-performing share within the ASX communications sector.
The News Corp share price lifted 31.4% to close at $49.50 on 31 December.
This compared to a 2.47% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Communications Index (ASX: XTJ).
The post Best ASX 200 share of each market sector in 2024 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group and Life360. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
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