The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has started the week in the red. The index slumped 0.21% on Monday to close at 7,133.6 points.
Fortunately, that was a relatively tame tumble compared to that posted by New York indices on Friday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fell 0.8%, the S&P 500 Index (SP: .INX) slumped 1.1%, and the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) dumped 1% amid recession concerns seemingly spurred by hawkish comments from US Federal Reserve officials.
Today also saw the ASX 200's latest quarterly rebalance take effect. Only two stocks were involved in the December shakeup. St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) was booted from the iconic index, and replaced by Monadelphous Group Limited (ASX: MND).
The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) and the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) were today's top-performing sectors. They gained 0.5% and 0.4% respectively.
Meanwhile, the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ), the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ), and the S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate Index (ASX: XRE) were among the worst performers. They dropped 0.8%, 0.8%, and 1.1% respectively.
But which ASX 200 share dodged today's carnage to post the strongest start to the week? Keep reading to find out.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top performer was none other than Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC). Its stock rose around 5% despite the company's silence.
Today's biggest gains were made by these shares:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.99 | 4.76% |
| United Malt Group Ltd (ASX: UMG) | $3.48 | 4.5% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $2.90 | 4.32% |
| New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC) | $6.49 | 4.01% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $0.735 | 3.52% |
| Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX: SLR) | $1.21 | 3.42% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $11.02 | 3.38% |
| De Grey Mining Limited (ASX: DEG) | $1.235 | 3.35% |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $10.60 | 3.11% |
| Chorus Ltd (ASX: CNU) | $7.85 | 3.02% |
Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to let you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.
