The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has finally cracked its run of negativity and given investors a positive day today. After falling every single day this week thus far, the ASX 200 turned a corner this Thursday, rising by a solid 0.51% to finish the session at 6,925.5 points. Hallelujah.
This pleasing turnaround for the local markets comes after an equally positive night of trading over on the US markets last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a strong session rising by 0.39%. The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, rocketing by a happy 1.35%.
But back to the ASX now, and let's see where today's happy moves came from with a look at the different ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
Despite the winning moves of the ASX today, we still had a mixed bag when it comes to the various corners of the market.
Leading the losers today were ASX energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) didn't get an invite to the broader ASX party and crashed by a nasty 0.96%.
But that was about as bad as it got. The next-worst place to be today was in mining shares. However, the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) dropped by a comparatively mild 0.25%.
Next on investors' hit list was the consumer discretionary sector, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.11% slide.
But that's pretty much it for the red sectors.
Leading today's winners was the gold space. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had a cracker, shooting up by 2.45%.
Hot on gold's heels were real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) shooting 2.16% higher.
Next, we had ASX tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was also in fine form, rising 1.73%.
Communications shares were another bright spot, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) surging 1.38%.
As were consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) ended up finishing 1.15% higher.
Financials stocks proved to be a winner as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) closed up 0.81%.
Healthcare stocks and utilities shares are our final sectors that made investors happy today. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) gained 0.69%, while the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) eked out a gain of 0.35%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
This Thursday, it was ASX gold miner Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) that topped the pile of best-performing shares on the index.
Northern Star shares climbed by a healthy 4.72% to $10.66 each. This was despite no fresh news out from the miner.
Here's a look at the rest of today's winners:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $10.66 | 4.72% |
| Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX: WBT) | $3.12 | 4.7% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $1.38 | 3.76% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $8.30 | 3.75% |
| HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN) | $1.165 | 3.1% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.375 | 3% |
| NEXTDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) | $12.44 | 2.89% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $11.80 | 2.88% |
| NIB Holdings Limited (ASX: NHF) | $7.52 | 2.87% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $3.26 | 2.84% |
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.
