The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 6.8% in 2025 and gave investors a total return, including dividends, of 10.32%.
These three ASX 200 shares delivered the best capital growth among their sector peers last year.
Do the experts see them as good buys for 2026, or is their phenomenal run done?
Let’s take a look.
Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE)
Eagers Automotive had the best price growth among ASX 200 consumer discretionary shares in 2025.
The Eagers Automotive share price ripped 113% in 2025.
Stock in the Australian and New Zealand car retailer closed at $24.64 on 31 December.
On Friday, this ASX 200 retail share closed at $26.64, up 4.8%.
Jefferies upgraded Eagers Automotive shares to a buy rating last week with a 12-month price target of $29.50.
Canaccord Genuity also has a buy rating with a target of $33.60.
These targets imply potential upside of between 11% to 26% over the coming 12 months.
Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)
ASX 200 gold miner Evolution Mining had the best capital growth of the ASX 200 large-cap shares last year.
Large caps have a market capitalisation of $10 billion or more.
The Evolution Mining share price rose by 164% to $12.68 apiece on 31 December.
The strong running gold price pushed the stock higher in 2025. Gold rallied an incredible 65%, building on a 27% gain in 2024.
On Friday, Evolution Mining shares closed at $12.82, up 0.6%.
Morgans has a sell rating on Evolution Mining shares with a price target of $11.10.
This implies a potential downside of almost 15% in 2026.
Citi sees Evolution Mining shares as fully valued given its hold rating and 12-month target of $12.70.
DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO)
ASX 200 defence share Droneshield was the No. 1 stock in the industrials sector for 2025.
The Droneshield share price skyrocketed 300% to close at $3.08 on 31 December.
Droneshield is benefitting from a worldwide lift in global defence spending.
However, investors were alarmed in November when CEO Oleg Vornik sold more than $49 million worth of shares.
In response, DroneShield announced a mandatory minimum shareholding policy for all directors and senior managers.
On Friday, Droneshield shares closed at $4.02, up 4.4%.
Bell Potter reiterated its buy rating on Droneshield shares last month.
However, the broker reduced its 12-month price target from $5.30 to $4.40.
This still implies a potential upside of almost 10% in the new year ahead.
The post Experts rate 3 ASX 200 stars of 2025: Is there more growth ahead? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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More reading
- Top 5 ASX 200 retail shares of 2025
- ASX 200 materials sector dominates as scores of mining shares hit new highs
- Here are my top 10 ASX stocks for 2026
- 3 monster stocks to hold for the next 3 years
- Buy, hold, sell: CBA, CSL, and DroneShield shares
Citigroup is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money. Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended DroneShield. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Eagers Automotive Ltd. 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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