It was a happy Thursday for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and most ASX shares today, with investors shaking off the midweek blues that we saw yesterday.
By the end of trading this session, the ASX 200 had taken a 0.45% leap higher, leaving the index at 7,817.3 points.
This happy day of trade comes after a more mixed night over on Wall Street for the Americans' Wednesday session.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had another poor showing, slipping by 0.11%.
Things were better for the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) though, which pushed 0.23% higher.
But let's get back to the local markets now, and check out how the different ASX sectors performed today.
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Winners and losers
It was all smiles on the stock market today, with not a single sector recording a loss.
The worst-performing corner of the markets was consumer staples shares though. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) lagged its siblings, inching 0.1% higher.
Healthcare stocks fared a little better. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) enjoyed a 0.23% bump.
Mining shares improved on that, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.33% lift.
Financial stocks finished up in the green as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) saw its value rise by 0.42%.
Communication shares had a dead heat with financials. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) mirrored that 0.42% rise.
But consumer discretionary stocks did one better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) bouncing 0.46%.
Industrial shares stepped on the gas though, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) banking 0.63%.
Better again were ASX energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) vaulted 0.67% higher.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in demand too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) soaring 0.75% higher.
Utilities stocks had a great day as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) got a 0.94% boost from investors.
Gold shares were back to shining this Thursday as well, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 1.18% surge.
In a very rare situation, we have a tie for the top of the table today, with tech shares sharing the crown. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) also saw its value rocket by 1.18% by the closing bell.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming in hottest today was lithium stock Arcadium Lithium plc (ASX: LTM). Arcadium shares had a fantastic session, booming 6.29% higher to $6.76.
There wasn't any news out of the company today, but perhaps rising lithium prices were helping to boost investor sentiment here.
And here are the rest of today's top ten stocks on the index:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Arcadium Lithium plc (ASX: LTM) | $6.76 | 6.29% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.21 | 5.22% |
| South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) | $3.17 | 4.62% |
| Alumina Ltd (ASX: AWC) | $1.54 | 4.41% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $3.26 | 4.15% |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $5.13 | 3.85% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $2.26 | 3.67% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.865 | 3.59% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $13.93 | 3.19% |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $5.83 | 3.00% |
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.
