The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained a healthy 3.7% in February, with plenty of thanks to these top-performing ASX 200 stocks.
From market close on 30 January through to the closing bell on 27 February, these stocks delivered gains of 17% to more than 27%.
So, which companies were the ones to buy at the end of January and own throughout February?
I’m glad you asked!
ASX 200 stocks leaping higher in February
At the top of my list for February, we find Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC).
The Lynas Rare Earths share price gained an impressive 27.4% over the month just past, closing at $18.98.
The ASX 200 stock enjoyed a big boost after reporting its half-year results (H1 FY 2026) last week. Highlights included a 62.7% year-on-year increase in revenue for the six months to $413.7 million. And on the bottom line, Lynas’ net profit after tax (NPAT) of $80.2 million was up 1,259% from H1 FY 2025.
Rival rare earths miner Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) also shot the lights out in February. If you’d bought the ASX 200 stock at the end of January and sold at market close on 27 February, you’d have booked a gain of 25.9%.
The critical minerals miner reported its full-year results on 18 February. Although mineral sands revenue of $976 million was down 13.5% year on year, investors bid up the stock amid expectations of declining costs and capital expenditures in 2026, and a stronger outlook for mineral sands and rare earths markets.
PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) â formerly known as Pilbara Minerals â was another top stock to own in February. PLS shares closed the month up 21%.
The ASX lithium miner released its half-year results on 19 February. Highlights included a 47% year-on-year increase in revenue to $624 million. And PLS swung to a NPAT of $33 million, up from a $69 million loss in the prior corresponding half year.
Moving away from the ASX 200 mining stocks for a moment, Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) shares gained an impressive 18.5% in February.
Australia’s biggest private hospital operator reported its H1 FY 2026 results on 26 February. Ramsay reported a 9.7% year-on-year increase in revenue from contracts with customers to $9.34 billion. And NPAT of $160.7 million was up from a $104.9 million loss in 1H FY 2025.
Which brings us back to the Aussie miners.
Buoyed by the ongoing strength in the global gold price and its half-year results release on 19 February, Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) shares gained 17.1% over the month just past.
In H1 FY 2026, the ASX 200 gold stock achieved a 40% year-on-year increase in half-year gold sales revenue to $1.09 billion. NPAT of $323 million was up 73% from H1 FY 2025.
Honourary mentions
Two of best known names on the index, which includes the biggest ASX 200 stock by market cap, also shot the lights out over the month just past on the back of their own strong earnings results.
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares gained an impressive 16.4% in February.
And the BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price surged 15.5%, which saw the Aussie mining giant reclaim its title as the top-listed Australian stock from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA).
Quite a month!
The post 5 of the best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in February revealed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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More reading
- Why Ampol, EOS, Lynas, and Woodside shares are roaring higher today
- The PLS Group share price has soared 150% in a year. Is it still a buy in March?
- Lynas Rare Earths shares: Malaysia licence renewed for 10 years
- What is Morgans saying about Ramsay Healthcare and Karoon Energy shares?
- Which ASX 200 mining shares raised their dividends this earnings season?
Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Woolworths Group. 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.