Last week was another up and down week for ASX 200 shares as investors weighed up the possibility of a renewed coronavirus wave against government stimulus measures.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) climbed 1.6% to 5,942.60 points as the recent bull run continued to push share valuations higher.
While many tech and consumer staple companies surged in value, ASX 200 travel and media shares were hit hard.
Last week I had Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL), Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) and Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) shares on my watchlist.
The Scentre share price slumped 3.5% last week while Newcrest and Woodside shares climbed 2.4% and 2.8% higher, respectively.
Below are the 3 ASX 200 companies on my watchlist for this week as we prepare for what could be another good Aussie share market week.
3 ASX 200 shares to watch this week
One of the top shares that I'm watching this week is Transurban Group (ASX: TCL).
The Transurban share price climbed 3.1% higher last week to close at $15.16 per share. That means the Aussie infrastructure group's shares have now surged 51.0% higher since 19 March.
I think Transurban could be a dark horse ahead of the August earnings season. The nature of COVID-19 could mean more people on toll roads rather than public transport in 2020 and 2021.
That would be good news for the ASX 200 infrastructure group's earnings and its share price this year.
I always like to look at the previous week's biggest movers as well. That means Afterpay Ltd (ASX: APT) is on my watchlist for this week after landing in the winner's column last week.
The Afterpay share price surged 13.2% higher last week and continues to hit new record highs. Afterpay's market cap has now rocketed to $15.7 billion and could be heading even higher.
Strong stimulus measures have propped up the Aussie economy in 2020. Particularly in Afterpay's core demographics of young people, stimulus measures could mean more spending in discretionary sectors like retail.
If bad debts remain low then Afterpay could increase its sales both in Australia and abroad in 2020. That could accelerate the ASX 200 buy now, pay later group's share price growth heading into next year.
My final ASX 200 share to watch this week is Southern Cross Media Group Ltd (ASX: SXL).
The Southern Cross share price jumped 2.6% higher on Friday to close the week the same as it started at $0.20 per share.
The Aussie media group has been one of the most volatile ASX shares since mid-February.
While I don't know which way the Southern Cross share price is headed this week but it could be a good gauge of where investors think the media sector is headed in 2020.
