It was a flying start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Monday. After a rough end to last week, investors came back from the weekend with a spring in their steps.
By the time the market closed today, the ASX 200 had added a healthy 1.34%, leaving the index at 7,748.6 points.
This happy start to the Australian trading week follows a similarly bullish finish to the American week on Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a blast, rising 1.56%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, shooting up 2.06%.
But let's get back to this week and our local markets now for a look at what the different ASX sectors were up to today.
Winners and losers
There was only one corner of the market that missed out on today's optimism.
That unlucky sector was consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) went backward by 0.45% this session.
But it was all smiles everywhere else.
Leading the gains were tech shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) enjoying a 2.61% surge.
Mining stocks were in demand as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared up 2.11% today.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) had a ball, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 1.85% vault higher.
We could say the same for healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) galloped 1.8% higher this session.
Gold stocks were in demand too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) lifting 1.73%.
Energy shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up adding 1.45% to its total.
Financial stocks put on a decent show, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 1.22% bump.
Following financials, we had consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) rose by 0.82% this Monday.
Industrial stocks were getting bought up as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) ticking up 0.73%.
Utilities shares got some love, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) added 0.55% to its total today.
Finally, communications stocks eked out a rise, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.15% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best stock came down to healthcare company Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU). Neuren shares had a blowout today, rocketing 21.11% to close at $11.13 each.
This rather extraordinary gain came after Neuren revealed that one of its potential medicines had received the green light for Phase 3 trials in the United States.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $11.13 | 21.11% |
| SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR) | $3.94 | 9.75% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $18.04 | 8.22% |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $1.75 | 8.05% |
| Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR) | $1.78 | 7.88% |
| Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) | $1.11 | 6.25% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $1.66 | 5.40% |
| Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) | $16.85 | 5.31% |
| Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) | $212.92 | 5.09% |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $5.02 | 4.80% |
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.
