It was yet another successful session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday.
After rising every day this week, the ASX 200 kept the train rolling today, recording a bouncy yet positive gain of 0.19%. That leaves the index at 7,865.5 points.
Today's optimistic performance on the ASX comes after an equally sunny night of trading up on Wall Street last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) put on a strong showing, gaining 0.61%.
It wasn't quite as bullish over on the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) though, which managed to eke out a 0.029% rise.
But let's get back to the local markets now and check out what was going on amongst the different ASX sectors this Thursday.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's good mood, there were still multiple sectors that sank lower this session.
Leading those losers were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) had a shocker, plunging 4.06%.
Mining stocks also had a day to forget, although the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s loss of 1.28% wasn't quite as dramatic.
Energy shares had a miserable time as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) sank by 0.65%.
As did gold stocks, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) slumping 0.21%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were another sore spot. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slid down 0.17%.
Our final losers were healthcare shares, as the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.15% slip shows.
Turning now to the happier sectors, these were led by communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had a blast today, shooting up by 1.69%.
Industrial shares were also on fire, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) surging 1.15%.
Consumer discretionary stocks also got an invite to the ASX party. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) soared 1.04%.
As did financial shares, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.81% bounce.
Tech stocks were also in form. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) managed to rise by 0.78%.
ASX consumer staples shares took out the last spot. Not that you'd guess from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.77% gain.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Contractor NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) was today's index winner. NRW shares rocketed a whopping 9.72% this Thursday up to $3.50 a share.
This healthy rise came after the company reported its latest earnings this morning, which investors clearly loved.
Here's how the rest of today's best shares tied up their boats:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) | $3.50 | 9.72% |
| Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) | $10.44 | 7.63% |
| Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME) | $149.02 | 5.69% |
| Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) | $21.84 | 5.61% |
| AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) | $11.57 | 4.61% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $3.77 | 4.43% |
| Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX: CQE) | $2.69 | 4.26% |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $3.14 | 3.63% |
| Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) | $47.00 | 3.50% |
| Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) | $21.04 | 3.34% |
Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.
