Today was an exceptional start to the week's trading for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).
The ASX 200 finished the day's trading up a healthy 0.74%, leaving the index at 8,344.4 points.
This happy Monday for ASX shares followed a positive finish to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) eked out a positive session with its 0.085% uptick.
But the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more enthusiastic, rising by 0.63%.
Time now to return to this week and our local market with a look at what the different ASX sectors were up to.
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Winners and losers
There was only one sector that missed out on investors' optimism this Monday.
That unlucky corner of the market was tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a day to forget, slumping a hefty 2.97%.
But it was all smiles everywhere else.
Leading the winners were gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was once again on fire today, exploding 3.74% upwards.
Broader ASX mining shares also had a great day, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) rocketing 1.44% higher.
The commodity theme continues with energy shares coming in next. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) soared 1.25%.
Consumer discretionary stocks also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) galloped up 0.96%.
We can say the same for healthcare shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) leaping 0.85%.
After healthcare, we had real estate investment trusts (REITs), as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.83% surge.
Financial shares were popular as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.72% jump.
Utilities stocks also joined the winning party. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) rose 0.68% this Monday.
Industrial stocks were in the same ballpark, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) rising 0.24%.
Communications stocks weren't quite as in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) put on 0.22%.
Our final winners were consumer staples shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) rising 0.19%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winner was automotive company Amotiv Ltd (ASX: AOV). Amotiv shares vaulted a huge 10.21% higher today to finish at $11.01 each.
This move may have been prompted by an announcement of an additional share buyback program at today's annual general meeting.
Here's a look at the rest of today's best shares:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Amotiv Ltd (ASX: AOV) | $11.01 | 10.21% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $2.47 | 7.39% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.71 | 7.21% |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $3.76 | 6.21% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.56 | 5.76% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.39 | 5.41% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $5.30 | 5.16% |
| Emerald Resources Ltd (ASX: EMR) | $4.41 | 5.00% |
| Johns Lyng Group Ltd (ASX: JLG) | $4.09 | 4.60% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $13.01 | 4.16% |
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.
