It was a very happy end to the trading week this Friday for ASX shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) started off with a bang this morning, and finished 0.3% higher by the closing bell.
That leaves the ASX 200 at a tantalising 8,099.9 points as we head into the weekend.
This successful conclusion to the Australian trading week comes after a strong night up on the American markets last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) enjoyed a strong 0.58% bounce.
The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) almost doubled that, surging by a flat 1%.
Let's get back to ASX shares now, though, and check out what was going on with the different ASX sectors this Friday.
Winners and losers
Despite today's strong gain, we still had some sectors that went backwards.
Leading those losers were financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had a sour day, retreating 0.61%.
Communications stocks were also on the wrong side of the aisle, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) shedding 0.56%.
Tech shares were left out in the cold as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was walked back 0.49%.
Utilities stocks also had a day to forget, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.38% slide.
Healthcare shares were also losers. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) slipped down 0.24% today.
Consumer discretionary stocks round out the red sectors, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) dropping 0.05%.
Turning now to the winners, it was gold stocks that won the gold medal. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) roared a whopping 5.22% higher this session.
Broader mining shares had a great time as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soaring 2.25%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) came next. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) leapt 1.07%.
Energy stocks joined the party, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.84% gallop higher.
Industrial shares put on a strong showing, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) rose 0.63%.
Finally, ASX consumer staples stocks once again eked out a win. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) inched 0.04% higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winner was gold miner Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU). Perseus shares rocketed a huge 10.21% today to finish at $2.59 each.
As we covered this afternoon (and as you can see below), it was a stunning session for gold miners all around, thanks to fresh new all-time highs for the precious metal overnight.
Here's a look at the rest of today's best shares:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $2.59 | 10.21% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.525 | 10.11% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $6.25 | 9.84% |
| Red 5 Ltd (ASX: RED) | $0.33 | 8.20% |
| Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX) | $0.20 | 8.11% |
| De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) | $1.23 | 7.42% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $4.32 | 6.93% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $1.915 | 6.69% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.28 | 6.54% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.65 | 5.77% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
