The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a hump day boost this Wednesday, rocketing higher following a surge of optimism out of the United States.
By the time trading wrapped up today, the ASX 200 had added a healthy 1.33%, leaving the index at 7,920.5 points.
This happy hump day for the Australian markets follows a similarly bullish night up on the American markets last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) staged a strong recovery, ballooning by 2.66%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was just as rosy, shooting 2.71% higher.
But let's return to the local markets now and take a look at what the various ASX sectors were doing this session.
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Winners and losers
There was only one sector that missed out on today's optimism.
That sector was gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had a stinker, plunging a nasty 9.76%.
But it was all smiles everywhere else.
Leading the charge higher this Wednesday were energy shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) rocketing up 4.47%.
Tech stocks had a great time too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) saw its value soar 3.89%.
Industrial shares ran hot too, as you'll gather from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 2.45% surge.
Consumer discretionary stocks were also in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) leapt up 2.34% today.
Healthcare shares didn't miss out on the goodwill either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) vaulting 2.22% higher.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in the same ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) jumped 2.1% this session.
Utilities stocks didn't miss out, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.37% bump.
Communications shares had plenty of buyers, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) received a 1.23% lift today.
Financial stocks saw some buying pressure, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) lifting 0.81%.
Consumer staples shares were lucky to ink a gain today. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) rose by 0.45%.
Finally, mining stocks were our last winners, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.02% boost.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
This Wednesday's winner was uranium stock Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN). Paladin shares exploded a huge 24.62% higher this session to close at $4.96 each.
As we covered this morning, this gain followed the release of an impressive quarterly update from the company.
Here are the rest of today's best shares, and how they pulled up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $4.96 | 24.62% |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $2.08 | 15.24% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $28.32 | 12.47% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $0.935 | 11.98% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.56 | 9.80% |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $2.61 | 9.66% |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $88.56 | 8.60% |
| Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) | $1.13 | 8.13% |
| Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) | $130.91 | 7.19% |
| Digico Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) | $2.55 | 7.14% |
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.
