The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a strong session this Wednesday in what would have been a welcome showing indeed for ASX investors. By market close, the ASX 200 had banked a solid rise of 0.38%, taking the index up to 7,148.4 points.
This came despite a nervous showing from the US markets on Wall Street last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in the firing line last night, recording a chunky fall of 0.51%. The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared slightly better and managed to pull off a 0.06% gain.
But enough with the Americana. Let's now dig into the local market's performance today with a look at how the various ASX sectors fared over the trading day.
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Winners and losers
There were certainly more winners than losers today, but that doesn't mean we didn't have a few clangers.
No sector fits that characterisation better than ASX tech stocks today. After rocketing yesterday, the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) gave it all up this Wednesday and more, with a significant 5.26% fall.
ASX energy shares were also a sore spot on the markets. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) lost 0.95% over the session.
Communications shares weren't quite as unlucky but even so, the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slipped by a notable 0.86%.
Healthcare shares continued their recent poor form as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) falling 0.36%
Finally, utilities shares round up the losers. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) finished today with a 0.13% retreat.
Now onto the winners, and no one won more convincingly today than consumer staples investors. Helped no doubt by the strong earnings of Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) soared a happy 1.77% this Wednesday.
Miners were also on form, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) rising a strong 1.34%.
Consumer discretionary shares didn't quite hit the heights of their staples counterparts, but the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) still managed a rise of 0.94%.
Gold stocks were also winners. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) surged by a healthy 0.94% as well today.
Financials shares weren't too far behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) gaining 0.57%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Earnings season continues to drive the biggest gainers we see on the markets. Leading the winners today was pizza maker Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP).
Domino's shares rocketed by 11.81% to $53.70 each by close of trading, helped by investors' reception of the company's latest earnings.
Here's a look at the rest of the top ten shares for this Monday:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) | $53.70 | 11.81% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $25.50 | 9.49% |
| Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) | $14.37 | 6.6% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $5.85 | 5.6% |
| IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE) | $6.51 | 5.17% |
| Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) | $0.125 | 4.17% |
| HMC Capital Ltd (ASX: HMC) | $5.42 | 3.83% |
| NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) | $13.56 | 3.75% |
| Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) | $37.49 | 3.51% |
| Mineral Resources Limited (ASX: MIN) | $66.30 | 2.79% |
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.
