It's been a cracking start to the trading week for most ASX shares and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Monday.
After a bumpy week last week, the ASX 200 has given investors a confidence boost today with a rosy rise of 0.75%. That leaves the index at 7,476.6 points.
This encouraging kickoff for the ASX today comes after a euphoric finish to the American trading week up on Wall Street last Friday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) finished the week in style, shooting up by a pleasing 1.05%.
It was better again for the Dow's sister index, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which boomed by 1.7%.
But let's get back to the start of this week now with a look at what the various ASX sectors were up to today.
Winners and losers
Despite the confidence showing from the broader market, we still had a couple of sectors that took a backward step today.
Leading those was the mining sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) missed out on the goodwill today, sliding by 0.21%
ASX utilities shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lost 0.17% of its value by the close of trading.
But that's a wrap for the losers.
Turning to the winners now, these were led by consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) had a corker today, shooting up by 1.68%.
Hot on this sector's heels were consumer staples shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) swelling by 1.33%.
Financial stocks also proved to be a decisive winner. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) enjoyed a hefty bump of 1.2%.
Industrial shares had a spring in their step too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) vaulting 1.13% higher.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were right behind, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) gain of 1.11%.
ASX communications stocks came in next. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was making friends too, with a Bradman-esque rise of 0.99%.
Tech shares got an invite to the party as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) getting marked up by 0.71%.
Following tech were healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had a healthy day indeed, getting a shot worth 0.6%.
Coming in next were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) managed a lift of 0.28% today.
And finally, gold stocks were our last winners, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) inching 0.08% higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
The best-performing stock on the index this Monday was healthcare share Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV). Polynovo stock rose by a robust 9.78% today up to $1.74 a share.
This may have been the result of some (unaudited) first-half highlights the company posted this afternoon, which included a 66% revenue boost.
And here are today's other top performers:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) | $1.74 | 9.78% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $4.59 | 6.25% |
| Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) | $0.515 | 5.10% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $22.06 | 5.05% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $7.45 | 4.78% |
| Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) | $3.70 | 3.64% |
| Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC) | $1.04 | 3.48% |
| AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) | $29.71 | 3.45% |
| Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) | $5.80 | 3.39% |
| Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) | $101.06 | 3.10% |
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.
