The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a strong session this Wednesday, making up for yesterday's miserly start to the short trading week.
The ASX 200 stayed in green territory all day and ended up closing with a 0.57% rise. That leaves the index at a flat 8,447 points.
This confident Wednesday session for the local markets follows a strong morning session (our time) on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had another great day, gaining 0.31%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better though, shooting up 2.03%.
But let's get back to the Australian markets now and see how today's market gains filtered down into the various ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
Only one sector took a backward step this Wednesday. That unlucky sector was mining stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was left out in the cold today and fell 0.1%.
Every other sector managed to add to its value.
Most enthusiastically so were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) had a fantastic time, rocketing 2.06% higher.
We could say the same for gold stocks, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) lifting by 1.97%.
Tech shares had a great day too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) managed to surge up 1.81%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't far off that, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 1.68% jump higher.
Healthcare stocks were in demand as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) soared 1.21% today.
Consumer discretionary shares were also running hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) adding 0.89% to its total.
Communications stocks were the next cab off the rank. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) vaulted 0.88% higher by the closing bell.
Industrial shares put in a solid day's work, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.6% rise.
Energy stocks were in the same ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) lifted by 0.59% this Wednesday.
Financial shares did admirably too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) getting a 0.29% bump.
Finally, consumer staples stocks eked out a win. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) crawled 0.2% higher by the close of trading.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best performer was embattled casino operator Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR). Star shares had a great day, galloping 13.04% higher to finish at 13 cents each.
This lift came after the company announced it was planning on selling off one of its major assets.
Here are the other stocks you wished you owned today:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) | $0.13 | 13.04% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.20 | 8.60% |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $4.05 | 7.14% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $1.32 | 6.91% |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $3.00 | 5.63% |
| Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP) | $18.24 | 5.07% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $3.89 | 4.85% |
| Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) | $23.09 | 4.20% |
| Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) | $12.88 | 4.12% |
| Harvey Norman Holdings Ltd (ASX: HVN) | $5.13 | 3.64% |
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
