3 ASX 200 stocks leaping higher in this week's slumping market on big news

With only a few hours of trade left in the week, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 1.5% since last Friday's close, but don't blame these three rocketing ASX 200 stocks.

Here's what's been stoking investor interest.

Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)

The first ASX 200 stock storming higher in this week's slumping market is Aussie ship builder Austal.

At time of writing, Austal shares are changing hands for $4.13 apiece, up 7.6% since last Thursday, when the stock entered a trading halt.

Austal shares then leapt 17.5% on Tuesday after exiting that trading halt. Investors were snapping up shares in the ship builder after it announced receiving a non-binding, conditional offer from Hanwha Defence USA to acquire its Austal USA segment for US$1.05 billion to US$1.2 billion.

That could be a good deal for shareholders, with Austral reporting an unaudited FY 2026 earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) loss of around $113 million. Management noted that this loss was primarily due to non-cash provisions at Austal USA, while its Australasian business is expected to post a positive EBIT of around $62 million.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)

Also racing ahead of the market's losing streak this week is Aussie energy provider Origin Energy.

At time of writing, Origin Energy shares are trading for $12.06 each, which sees this ASX 200 stock up 11.5% since last Friday's close.

Origin shares got a welcome boost after the company reported its FY 2026 results on Thursday.

The company reported underlying earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $3.22 billion, down 5.5% from FY 2025.

However, the company's adjusted Free Cash Flow increased by $867 million to $2.07 billion.

And on the bottom line, Origin achieved an underlying profit of $1.16 billion, up 22.2% year on year.

Which brings us to…

ASX 200 stock Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY)

The best performing ASX 200 stock on my list for this week is Cleanaway Waste Management.

Shares in the waste management and environmental services company are currently trading for $2.73 apiece, up 14.5% since last week's close.

Cleanaway shares leapt 15.2% on Thursday after the company reported it had received a conditional, non-binding indicative proposal from EQT Infrastructure to acquire 100% of its shares.

With EQT offering $3.13 cash per share, investors were quick to reach for their buy buttons.

The company noted:

The Cleanaway board has determined that it is in the best interests of Cleanaway shareholders to provide EQT Infrastructure with the opportunity to undertake up to 9 weeks exclusive due diligence and to negotiate a scheme implementation deed (SID) to agree a binding transaction.

The post 3 ASX 200 stocks leaping higher in this week's slumping market on big news appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.

The Motley Fool's purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool's free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson. 2026