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.
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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.
