The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a strong day this Wednesday, perhaps thanks to the latest inflation figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
After a rather timid start to the week, investors stepped on the gas today, sending the ASX 200 0.71% higher. That leaves the index at a tantalising 7,999 points.
This happy hump day for ASX shares follows a more muted session up on Wall Street this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a nervous day, inching just 0.0098% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was slightly more upbeat, gaining 0.46%.
But let's get back to the local markets now and check out how today's trading conditions spilled into the different ASX sectors this session.
Winners and losers
Investors were in a jubilant mood today, with only one sector missing out on a rise.
That sector was healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was left out in the cold today, shrinking by 0.52%.
It was all smiles everywhere else, though. Leading today's gains were consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) soaring 1.19% higher.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) also had a blowout session. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) bounded up 1.19% today.
Industrial shares ran hot too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.11% charge higher.
Then we had financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) surged up 1.08% this session.
Mining stocks were in demand too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) galloping up 0.71%.
Gold shares came in next. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) enjoyed a 0.64% lift this Wednesday.
Utilities stocks didn't miss out either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumping up 0.47%.
Consumer discretionary shares were at the ASX party as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw its value rise by 0.45% today.
Communications stocks also made an appearance at said party, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.3% bounce.
Tech shares enjoyed some mild gains today. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) added 0.15% to its tally this session.
Finally, energy stocks made the winner's cut, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.13% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best stock was gold miner Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS). Ramelius shares rocketed a big 6.05% today to finish at $2.28 a share.
There wasn't any news out of Ramelius itself this hump day, although rising gold prices ensured the entire sector did well.
Here are the other top shares from this session:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.28 | 6.05% |
| Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI) | $3.85 | 5.19% |
| Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) | $31.81 | 5.02% |
| Spartan Resources Ltd (ASX: SPR) | $1.81 | 4.94% |
| Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) | $5.42 | 4.23% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.65 | 4.00% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $16.71 | 3.72% |
| Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) | $3.47 | 3.27% |
| Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) | $9.63 | 2.99% |
| ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) | $29.44 | 2.97% |
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.
