The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gained 2.2% in April, but these five ASX 200 stocks left those gains in the dust.
Below, we look at five of the top stocks to have bought at market close on 31 March and held onto through market close on 30 April.
NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT)
First up, we have data centre operator and developer NextDC.
NextDC shares ended March at $11.14 and closed out April trading for $14.24. That saw this ASX 200 stock up 27.8% over the month just past.
There was plenty happening with the company. On 7 April, NextDC announced it was raising $1 billion in new funds via the issue of new hybrid securities. The new funds will support the development of new data centres and expand capacity.
The stock caught investor interest again on 20 April, when NextDC reported that its contracted utilisation increased by 60% to 667 megawatts (MW) in the March quarter. And the tech company’s forward order book increased by 83% to 544MW.
Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)
Megaport was another top ASX 200 stock to buy and hold in April.
Shares in the network-as-a-service solutions provider gained 26.3% over April to end the month trading for $9.16 each.
Megaport shares closed up 5.1% on 27 April after the company announced it had inked a new three-year contract valued at US$25.1 million (AU$35.4 million) with a United States-based technology firm.
Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)
Codan shares also shot the lights out in April
Shares in the communications and metal detection company closed out March trading for $31.26 and ended April trading for $41.68 apiece. That put this ASX 200 stock up 33.3% over the month.
Almost half of those gains were delivered on 29 April.
Codan shares closed up 15.5% on the day, following the release of the company’s trading update.
Investors were overheating their buy buttons after Codan forecast full-year FY 2026 earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of $235 million, up more than 60% year on year. Management expects net profit after tax (NPAT) to come in at $170 million, also up more than 60%.
Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR)
The fourth ASX 200 stock to buy and hold in April is Liontown.
Shares in the Aussie lithium miner surged 38.2% over the month, closing on 30 April at $2.35 each.
On 29 April, Liontown updated the market on the expansion plans for its Kathleen Valley Lithium Operation, located in Western Australia, committing $12 million to long-lead items.
And on 30 April, Liontown released its March quarter update.
Highlights from the quarter included the successful transition of Kathleen Valley to a fully underground operation, with targeted production rates achieved ahead of expectations.
Liontown reported a 51% quarter-on-quarter revenue boost to $197 million.
Which brings us to the top-performing ASX stock to have bought and held in the month just past.
Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP)
Zip shares gained a blistering 56.8% over the past month, closing at $2.43 apiece on 30 April.
Zip shares closed up 13.7% on 17 April following the release of the buy now, pay later (BNPL) company’s quarterly update.
Investors were snapping up the ASX 200 stock after Zip reported record quarterly earnings before tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBTDA) of $65.1 million, up 41.5% year on year.
Zip also upgraded its full-year FY 2026 cash EBTDA guidance to no less than $260 million.
The post The five best ASX 200 stocks to buy and hold in April revealed appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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More reading
- Why these ASX shares jumped 15%+ in April
- Prediction: Zip shares could fly another 121% higher
- 3 ASX shares benefiting from the rise of digital infrastructure
- Liontown shares climb to 2.5-year high on record cash flow
- These 2 ASX All Ords shares are flying higher today, and tipped to jump another 70%
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 positions in and has recommended Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.