10 of the ASX's best shares that continue to outperform in 2016

It has been a pretty lacklustre performance for the S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) over the past three months. The index currently sits around 4,890 points, dropping 6.67% in that time.

While the S&P/ASX 200 is the main index used in the Australian market and recognised as the investable benchmark for Australian equities, it's important to remember that Australian shares are divided into 10 sectors.

Today I've taken the opportunity to look at all 10 sectors individually and pick out a star performer from each sector. (For the purpose of this analysis I've deliberately left out small-cap shares).

Consumer Discretionary

1. Domino's Pizza Enterprises Limited (ASX: DMP) is engaged in the operation of retail food outlets and franchise services. The company holds the exclusive master franchise rights for the Domino's brand and network in Australia, New Zealand, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Japan and the Principality of Monaco. The Domino's brand is owned by Domino's Pizza, Inc. which operates within the Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) pizza segment of the fast food market in Australia and New Zealand.

Domino's was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Cons Disc (INDEXASX:XDJ) index in the past 3 months. Domino's outperformed the index by 19.95%, an index which has risen just 1.62%.

Consumer Staples

2. A2 Milk Company Limited (ASX: A2M) is engaged in the commercialisation of intellectual property relating to a2 brand milk and related products in New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom. A2M also sources, produces and supplies a2 brand milk and milk related products in Australia. The product comprises of Liquid Milk, Infant Formula and other dairy products which include cream and yoghurt.

A2M (red line below) was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Cons Staples (INDEXASX:XSJ) index in the past 3 months. A2M outperformed the index by a staggering 142.28%, an index which has fallen 2.87%.

It would be remiss of me not to mention Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL) (orange line below), which also outperformed this index by an equally staggering 81.07%.

Energy

3. Caltex Australia Limited (ASX: CTX) is a transport fuel supplier, convenience retailer and an integrated oil refining and marketing company. It operates a refinery at Lytton in Brisbane. The company also operates with a myriad of subsidiaries; Caltex Australia Custodians, Caltex Australia Petroleum, Caltex Fuel Services, Petroleum Services, Hunter Pipe Line Company, B&S Distributors and Jet Fuels Petroleum Distributors.

Caltex was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Energy (INDEXASX:XEJ) index in the past 3 months. Caltex outperformed the index by 32.64%, an index which has fallen 22.82%.

Financials

4. Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) is a funds management business based in Sydney, Australia. Magellan offers international investment funds to high net worth and retail investors in Australia and New Zealand. Magellan's investment funds include the Magellan Global Fund, the Magellan Infrastructure Fund, the Magellan High Conviction Fund and the Magellan Flagship Fund. The fund management activities are undertaken by Magellan Asset Management Limited.

Magellan was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Financials (INDEXASX:XFJ) index in the past 3 months. Magellan outperformed the index by 16.16%, an index which has fallen 6.16%.

Healthcare

5. CSL Limited (ASX: CSL) is a biopharmaceutical company that researches, develops, manufactures and markets products to treat and prevent human medical conditions including coagulation disorders, viral and bacterial diseases, bleeding disorders and other diseases. The operational businesses include CSL Behring and bioCSL. CSL has manufacturing operations in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Australia.

CSL was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care (INDEXASX:XHJ) index in the past 3 months. CSL outperformed the index by 11.25%, an index which has risen 6.25%.

Industrials

6. IPH Limited (ASX: IPH) is an intellectual property services firm. IPH offers a wide range of services for the protection, commercialisation, enforcement, and management of intellectual property. It provides these services across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Islands, and Asia. Its operations can be summarised as Patent and Design, Trademarks and Legal.

IPH was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials (INDEXASX:XNJ) index in the past 3 months. IPH outperformed the index by 36.51%, an index which has fallen 3.67%.

Information Technology

7. Technology One Limited (ASX: TNE) is a software provider and consultant, servicing government, local government, financial services, health & community services, education, and utilities and managed services markets. Products include financials, HR & Payroll, supply chain and business intelligence. Technology One also offers custom software development services for large scale, purpose built applications. Technology One has 14 offices throughout Australia, New Zealand, Asia, the South Pacific and the United Kingdom.

Technology One was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Info Tech (INDEXASX:XIJ) index in the past 3 months. Technology One outperformed the index by 16.89%, an index which has risen 3.48%.

Materials

8. DuluxGroup Limited (ASX: DLX) is engaged in the manufacturing, marketing, selling and distribution of branded paint, coatings, adhesives, garden care and other building products to the residential home improvement, commercial and infrastructure markets across Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, China and South East Asia. Dulux operates mainly in Paints and Coatings ANZ, Consumer and Construction Products, Garage Doors & Openers, Cabinet Hardware and Architectural Hardware and other businesses segments.

Dulux was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Materials (INDEXASX:XMJ) index in the past 3 months. Dulux outperformed the index by a staggering 41.13%, an index which has fallen 25.25%.

Telecom. Services

9. Chorus Limited (ASX: CNU) is a telecommunication business operating a nationwide fixed line access network infrastructure in New Zealand. This infrastructure comprises local telephone exchanges, cabinets and copper and fibre cables. Chorus has six products & services including: Basic Copper, Enhanced Copper, Fibre, Value Added Network Services, Field Services and Infrastructure Services.

Chorus was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Telecomms (INDEXASX:XTJ) index in the past 3 months. Chorus outperformed the index by a staggering 30.89%, an index which has fallen 1.20%.

Utilities

10. AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) is an integrated energy company and owner, operator and developer of renewable energy generation in Australia. It has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, landfill gas, solar and biomass. The company has four operating segments which are Energy Markets, Group Operations, New Energy and Investments.

AGL was the best performer in the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities (INDEXASX:XUJ) index in the past 3 months. AGL outperformed the index by 10.31%, an index which has risen 1.59%.