It was a fantastic day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX 200 shares this Wednesday, with investors throwing off the negativity that spoiled yesterday's session
By the time the markets closed, the ASX 200 had risen by a confident 0.51% this afternoon, leaving the index at 8,416.9 points.
This happy trading day for ASX shares follows a similarly upbeat morning over on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a bumpy but positive session, gaining 0.3%.
It was far better for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) though, which rocketed 1.35% higher.
Let's get back to the local markets now, though, and see what the different ASX sectors were doing this hump day.
Winners and losers
We only had a handful of sectors that missed out on a rise.
Leading those losers were healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was shunned this session, and tanked by 0.55%.
Consumer staples stocks also missed out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) getting a 0.1% walkback.
Financial shares were the other losers. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slipped 0.05% lower.
Turning to the green sectors now, gold stocks again spearheaded the push higher, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 1.88% surge.
Braoder mining shares had a great day too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 1.61% higher this Wednesday.
Tech shares also had a wonderful time, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) galloping up 1.56%.
Energy stocks came in next. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had climbed 1.47% by the closing bell.
Industrial shares recovered from yesterday's selloff, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.85% lift.
As did real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) jumped up 0.84% this session.
Next up were communications stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) bouncing 0.65% higher.
Consumer discretionary shares also put on a decent show. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) added 0.4% to its value today.
Finally, utility stocks eked out a win, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.29% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best performer was healthcare stock Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6). Clarity shares had a great day, shooting up 10.11% to $3.92 a share.
This was despite a lack of major news out of the company today.
Here are the rest of today's best shares:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $3.92 | 10.11% |
| Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL) | $4.62 | 6.94% |
| BWP Trust (ASX: BWP) | $3.45 | 4.86% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $13.76 | 4.40% |
| Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) | $0.13 | 4.17% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $57.75 | 4.11% |
| Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) | $9.92 | 3.98% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.61 | 3.88% |
| SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR) | $6.31 | 3.78% |
| Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) | $26.04 | 3.46% |
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.
