ASX 200 stocks hitting fresh 52-week highs and lows – Week 3

Welcome back to the 52-week Series – A recap of ASX 200 stocks that have tagged a fresh yearly highs and lows in the past week. By tracking these 52-week highs and lows, we can spot emerging trends across different stocks and sectors.

When we see clusters of stocks hitting new milestones within a sector, it often signals significant underlying factors – whether it's shifting commodity prices, evolving demand trends (like the current AI boom), or companies exceeding or falling short of earnings expectations.

52-Week Highs and Lows by Sector

• Industrials: 5 highs, 1 low

• Health Care: 2 highs, 1 low

• Financials: 2 highs, 0 lows

• Discretionary: 1 high, 2 lows

• Materials: 1 high, 2 lows

• Technology: 0 highs, 1 low

• Real Estate: 0 highs, 1 low

• Telecommunication: 0 highs, 0 lows

• Staples: 0 highs, 0 lows

• Utilities: 0 highs, 0 lows

• Energy: 0 highs, 0 lows

What Does the Data Tell Us?

Industrials are showing relative strength. The Industrials sector is demonstrating notable resilience amid broader market weakness. The sector recorded two new 52-week highs last week, following strong performance last December when 5 stocks reached new highs. Several key factors appear to be driving this sector strength:

• Qantas delivered robust FY24 results in August, announcing plans to reinstate base dividends and initiate a $400 million on-market buyback. Recent results from US peers may provide positive indicators for Qantas's outlook. Delta Air Lines' 4Q24 results exceeded market expectations, showing strong growth in international travel (up 6% year-on-year) and corporate travel (up 10% year-on-year). Delta's survey suggests continued momentum, with 90% of companies planning to increase travel spending this year.

• Brambles has emerged as a major beneficiary of U.S. dollar appreciation. Citi analysts identified Brambles as one of the top stocks positioned to benefit from a rising U.S. dollar in their December 2023 research note, explaining that "both defensive outperformance and a falling Australian dollar typically coincide with economic uncertainty."

• Monadelphous Group and engineering peers like GR Engineering and Worley have shown notable strength and outperformance over the past month.

ASX 200 Industrials Making 52-Week Highs

Data shows Industrial stock to have hit a 52-week high in the past week. Share price and performance as at Friday 10 January 2025

ASX 200 Stocks Making 52-Week Highs

Data shows any stock to have hit a 52-week high in the past week. Share price and performance as at Friday 10 January 2025

ASX 200 Stocks Making 52-Week Lows

Data shows any stock to have hit a 52-week low in the past week. Share price and performance as at Friday 10 January 2025