5 ASX 200 shares I think could beat the market in 2026

If I were looking to make some additions to my investment portfolio this week, I would seriously consider the five ASX 200 shares in this article.

Not only could they be good value at current prices, but I think they have the potential to outperform the benchmark this year.

Hub24 Ltd (ASX: HUB)

Hub24 is one of my preferred ways to gain exposure to Australia’s wealth management industry.

The long-term shift toward platform-based investing continues to work in its favour, particularly as advisers move toward more transparent, client-focused solutions. Hub24 benefits from strong operating leverage as funds under administration grow, which means earnings can scale faster than costs over time.

While its shares are not cheap on traditional metrics, I think that reflects the quality of the business, its consistent execution, and long-term earnings growth potential. For investors looking for a long-term compounder, Hub24 could be one of the standouts on the ASX.

Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)

Sigma Healthcare has gone through a major transformation, and I think that is still underappreciated by the market.

The merger with Chemist Warehouse has created a vertically integrated healthcare group with scale across wholesale distribution, franchising, and retail. The combined business now supports hundreds of pharmacies under brands such as Chemist Warehouse, Amcal, and Discount Drug Stores, while also supplying thousands of pharmacies across Australia.

As integration benefits emerge and scale advantages are realised, I see scope for earnings to grow robustly over time.

James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX)

This ASX 200 share is a high-quality building materials business with global exposure.

Its fibre cement products have strong brand recognition and are increasingly specified in residential construction, particularly in the United States. While housing cycles can be volatile, I think James Hardie’s market position and product innovation give it an edge over the long term.

Short-term earnings can move around with construction activity, but I am comfortable looking through that. Over a full cycle, I believe James Hardie has the potential to deliver solid earnings growth and strong returns on capital.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

Qantas has emerged from a challenging period as a more focused and financially disciplined business.

Capacity constraints across the aviation industry, combined with strong travel demand, have supported profitability. At the same time, management has been working to simplify the business, improve reliability, and strengthen the balance sheet.

Airlines are never risk-free investments, just ask Warren Buffett, but Qantas has a dominant position in the Australian market and valuable loyalty and international assets. If execution continues, I think this ASX 200 share can deliver attractive returns through the cycle.

Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)

Megaport is not a household name, but it plays an important role in global digital infrastructure.

The ASX 200 share provides on-demand connectivity between data centres, cloud providers, and enterprise networks. As cloud architectures become more complex and data-intensive workloads grow, that flexibility becomes increasingly valuable.

Megaport has also expanded beyond pure connectivity into adjacent infrastructure services with the acquisition of Latitude, which deepens customer relationships and increases the relevance of its platform. After a reset in expectations and a share price pullback, I think it offers an appealing risk-reward balance for patient investors.

Foolish takeaway

None of these shares are guaranteed winners, and each comes with its own risks.

But what they share is a clear business model, long-term demand drivers, and management teams that have demonstrated an ability to navigate change. For investors willing to take a medium to long-term view, I believe these five ASX 200 shares offer a solid mix of growth, quality, and resilience.

The post 5 ASX 200 shares I think could beat the market in 2026 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Grace Alvino has positions in Hub24. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Hub24 and Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Hub24. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.