It's been a top start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Monday. After turning a corner from the recent negativity late last week, ASX investors have kept the good times tolling today, with the ASX 200 lifting by a decent 0.23% and finishing the session at 6,970.2 points.
Our happy start to the week today follows an equally bullish end to the American markets' trading week last Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) finished the week on an upbeat note, surging 0.87% higher. The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) stepped even harder on the gas and surged by 1.6%.
But now let's see what the various ASX sectors were up to today back on the local markets.
Winners and losers
We still had quite a few sectors that recorded a backward step this Monday.
First among those were ASX tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) led the losers with a notable fall of 0.45%.
Consumer staples stocks were almost as disappointing for investors. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) dropped 0.44%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were another sore spot, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) shedding 0.34%.
Industrials shares weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) ended up retreating by 0.28%.
Then we get to consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) was another poor performer with a slip of 0.2%.
Financials stocks didn't fare as badly as the other losers today, but the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) still gave up 0.11% of its value by market close.
But that's it for the red sectors. Turning to the green zone, it was gold shares leading the charge. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rocketed a whopping 4.77% today in a pleasing move indeed.
Energy shares were also a big winner, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) surging by a happy 3.04%.
The healthcare sector's move upward was rather tame by comparison, but investors will still be applauding the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.93% move higher.
ASX mining stocks didn't miss out either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) bumping up 0.36%.
Finally, the performance of ASX utilities shares was a bit less impressive, but the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) still managed a 0.15% gain.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Leading the ASX pack today was gold stock De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG).
The De Grey share price vaulted an impressive 8.07% higher to $1.205 a share following the tragic rise in geopolitical instability in the Middle East over the weekend, as well as a rising gold price.
Here's a look at the rest of this Monday's top performers:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) | $1.205 | 8.07% |
| Silver Lake Resources Ltd (ASX: SLR) | $0.925 | 6.32% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $3.55 | 6.29% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $0.705 | 6.02% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $2.58 | 5.74% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $4.33 | 5.35% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $1.61 | 5.23% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $1.59 | 4.95% |
| Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) | $25.42 | 4.74% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $1.395 | 4.49% |
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.
