ASX 200 materials sector outperforms as mining shares continue their ascent

Materials led the 11 ASX 200 market sectors for a second week, rising 3.86% as rising commodities continued to propel mining shares.

Some commodities have risen by more than 25% and even up to 70% in just a month, and many miners hit multi-year highs last week.

They included the ASX 200’s largest mining share, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), as well as fellow diversified miners, Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) and South32 Ltd (ASX: S32).

Others that hit multi-year highs included ASX 200 lithium major PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), gold large-cap Newmont Corporation CDI (ASX: NEM), copper pure-play Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), and aluminium stock Alcoa Corporation CDI (ASX: AAI).

The broader market also had a strong week. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rose 2.13% to finish at 8,903.9 points.

Nine of the sectors finished the week in the green.

Let’s review.

ASX 200 mining shares’ unstoppable trajectory

The BHP share price reached a two-year high of $49.75 per share on Thursday.

BHP shares closed 2.66% higher for the week at $48.99 on Friday.

The Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) share price rose 0.48% to $22.82 while Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) lifted 3.63% to $148.25.

The Mineral Resources share price lifted 4.71% to $59.78 while South32 gained 8.05% to $4.16.

Among the ASX 200 pure-play copper stocks, Sandfire Resources shares ascended 2.68% to close at $19.15.

Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC) shares finished 7.72% higher at $15.63.

ASX 200 lithium shares also had a good week, with PLS Group shares lifting 0.65% to $4.68.

PLS Group shares hit a two-and-a-half-year high of $5.04 on Thursday, and profit-taking was apparent on Friday.

The Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) share price rose 4.88% to $2.15, while IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) increased 2.66% to $8.88.

ASX 200 gold shares benefited from another resetting of the gold price record at US$4,642.58 on Wednesday.

The ASX 200’s largest gold share, Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST), rose 8.54% to close at $26.83 on Friday.

The Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) share price rose 2.34% to $13.12, and Newmont lifted 7.53% to $169.25.

Among ASX 200 ASX rare earths shares, Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) increased 9.79% to $15.48.

Arafura Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: ARU) shares fell 5% to 28 cents per share.

Bauxite and alumina producer Alcoa rose 4.45% to $95.28 per share on Friday.

Soaring ASX 200 mining shares prompted many brokers to issue revised 12-month share price targets last week.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here’s how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

The post ASX 200 materials sector outperforms as mining shares continue their ascent appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 4 ASX 300 shares that ripped 100% or more in 2025
• BHP vs. Fortescue shares: Goldman Sachs says 1 will rip and 1 will dip
• Why Australian Ethical, Northern Minerals, PLS, and Woodside shares are falling today
• Brokers issue new price targets on soaring ASX 200 mining shares
• Why Capstone Copper, Catalyst Metals, DroneShield, and Wildcat shares are rising today

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Alcoa, BHP Group, and South32. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended BHP Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.