The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has certainly had a Wednesday to remember. Today saw the ASX 200 finally, after more than two years, hit a fresh new record high.
The index gained 1.06% by market close and finished the trading day at 7,680.7 points after touching its new record of 7,682.3 points just before close.
It seems that the latest inflation numbers for the Australian economy gave investors the boost they were looking for.
This hallowed day for ASX shares comes after another strong night up on Wall Street last night for US shares.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) hit another record high and banked a gain of 0.35%.
However, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) went the other way, shedding 0.76% of its value.
But let's get back to the local markets now and see how today's gains trickled down to the various ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
It was almost champagne all around on the markets today.
But there was one exception: ASX gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was left out in the cold during today's session, losing 0.2% of its value.
But that was the only red sector on the markets.
Leading the gainers was the real estate investment trust (REIT) space. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) had a blowout this Wednesday, surging by 1.98%.
Hot on REITs' heels were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) rocketed by a pleasing 1.7%.
Also making waves were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had a cracker too, shooting up by 1.56%.
Financial shares were only just behind, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s swell of 1.47%.
Healthcare stocks were living up to their reputation too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) vaulting 1.22% higher.
Consumer staples shares didn't miss out either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) gaining 1.02%.
Coming in at a dead heat with consumer staples shares were industrial stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) also recording a rise of 1.02%.
Consumer discretionary stocks followed that, with a 0.6% lift for the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ).
Miners had a decent day as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s upgrade of 0.46%.
Tech shares came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) growing by 0.38%.
Communications stocks were our final bright spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) rose by 0.25% by the closing bell.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top stock came down to nickel producer Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC).
Nickel Industries shares rocketed a happy 9.66% up to 79.5 cents each. This followed what was evidently a well-received quarterly production update, which we covered in detail yesterday.
Here's how the rest of today's top shares fared:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.795 | 9.66% |
| Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) | $0.56 | 5.66% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.80 | 5.26% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $8.53 | 4.79% |
| HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN) | $1.27 | 4.10% |
| HMC Capital Ltd (ASX: HMC) | $6.16 | 3.70% |
| Virgin Money UK plc (ASX: VUK) | $3.08 | 3.70% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd(ASX: PDN) | $1.295 | 3.60% |
| National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR) | $2.31 | 3.59% |
| Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) | $10.77 | 3.46% |
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.
