It was another successful session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Thursday, building on the momentum ASX shares saw yesterday.
By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had enjoyed a 1.65% surge, perhaps buoyed by the latest unemployment figures that we saw today. That leaves the index at 7,881.3 points after we saw it break above 7,900 earlier this afternoon.
This rampant Thursday for ASX shares follows a stellar night over on the US markets last night and this morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was on fire, shooting up 0.88% overnight.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did one better again, surging by a healthy 1.4%.
But let's return to the ASX now and check out how the different ASX sectors celebrated investors' good mood today.
Winners and losers
Given today's surging markets, it won't come as too much of a surprise to see that we only had one sector in the red.
That unlucky sector was energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was left out in the cold today, suffering a fall of 0.29%.
But it was all smiles across the rest of the ASX.
Today's gains were led by real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was burning hot, rocketing by 3.48%.
Tech shares also had a day to remember. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) enjoyed a 3.32% surge this Thursday.
Consumer discretionary stocks were high in demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) recording a rise of 2.45%.
Gold shares joined in the party too, as you can see from the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 241% gallop higher.
ASX financial stocks were another bright spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) banked a gain of 1.85% today.
Then we had the healthcare space. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) got a 1.5% booster from investors.
Consumer staples stocks got an invite to the ASX party as well, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 1.48% bounce.
Mining shares were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was upgraded by 1.28% by the end of trading.
Communications shares got some love too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was given a 0.97% raise by the markets.
Industrial stocks also had some buyers. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was lifted 0.93% higher this session.
Finally, utilities shares were making their investors happy. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) managed a 0.61% markup.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's index winner came in as gaming company Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL).
Aristocrat stock ended up rising by a huge 12.3% up to $45.75 today. This leap followed the company releasing its latest half-yearly earnings, which investors clearly loved.
Here are the rest of today's winning ASX shares:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) | $45.75 | 12.30% |
| Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) | $12.97 | 6.66% |
| Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) | $20.77 | 5.49% |
| Incitec Pivot Ltd (ASX: IPL) | $2.97 | 5.32% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $6.55 | 4.97% |
| Silver Lake Resources Ltd (ASX: SLR) | $1.60 | 4.92% |
| Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) | $127.54 | 4.79% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $2.42 | 4.76% |
| Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) | $0.46 | 4.55% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $4.45 | 4.46% |
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.
