The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a volatile, but overall positive, day of trading today.
Despite several dips into negative territory over this Wednesday's session, investors gave the ASX 200 a burst of buying pressure late in the trading day. This resulted in the index rising by a solid 0.37% to 7,338 points.
Today's happy conclusion came despite some shakiness on the American markets last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a fairly miserable time of it, losing 0.45% by the end of trading. It was even worse for the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which plunged by 0.79%.
However, let's get back to the local markets and check out what went on with the various ASX sectors this Wednesday.
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Winners and losers
Today saw a bumper session for most corners of the share market, with three sectors going backwards.
The worst of those was the healthcare space. The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) led today's losers with a hefty drop of 0.89%
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also feeling the pinch. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up retreating by 0.74%,
Utilities shares were the next-worst place to be, even though the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) only went down by 0.27%.
But let's now get to the winners. And no sector won more today than ASX financials shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) surged by a pleasing 1.21%, no doubt thanks to Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA)'s well-received earnings report.
Communications shares also had a great time this session, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting by 0.95%.
Ditto with ASX tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) shot up by 0.87% by close of trading.
ASX gold shares were another bright spot, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rising 0.71%.
ASX mining stocks also had a mildly positive session. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) ended up with a gain of 0.17%.
Consumer staples shares were one of the less enthusiastic spaces on the markets though. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) still had a positive day though, stepping higher by 0.18%
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our top stock of the day turned out to be ASX funeral services company InvoCare Ltd (ASX: IVC).
InvoCare shares shot up a happy 5.94% to $12.48 each after the company agreed to be acquired by TPG Capital for a share price of $12.70.
Here are the other winning shares from today's session:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| InvoCare Ltd (ASX: IVC) | $12.48 | 5.94% |
| Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) | $1.525 | 4.81% |
| Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN) | $4.84 | 3.86% |
| Link Administration Holdings Ltd (ASX: LNK) | $1.49 | 3.11% |
| Seek Limited (ASX: SEK) | $25.80 | 2.95% |
| Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) | $51.91 | 2.69% |
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) | $104.85 | 2.58% |
| NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) | $13.17 | 2.41% |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $7.14 | 2.29% |
| New Hope Corporation Limited (ASX: NHC) | $5.56 | 2.21% |
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.
