The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) made it three for three this week on Wednesday, notching up its third positive session in a row.
By the time the markets closed today, the ASX 200 had notched up a pleasing 0.69% rise. That leaves the index at a near-two-month high of 8,126.2 points.
This happy hump day for the local markets follows a strong night up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had an enthusiastic session, gaining 0.75%
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as bullish, but still pulled off a 0.55% rise.
But let's get back to ASX shares now and take stock of what the various ASX sectors were doing today.
Winners and losers
Despite the strong gains of the broader market, we still had a few ASX sectors that went backwards this Wednesday.
Chief amongst those were again gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was left out in the cold today, tanking 1.79%.
Utilities shares also had a tough time of it, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) plunging 1.48%.
Energy stocks were also unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw its value sink 0.51%.
Mining shares were in a similar boat, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.43% dive.
Consumer staples stocks were our final losers. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) slipped 0.4% lower this session.
Turning to the winners now, it was tech shares that took the top spot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) bouncing 1.64% higher.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) had a fantastic day as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) soared 1.52% higher this hump day.
We could say the same again for consumer discretionary stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 1.34% lift.
Healthcare stocks didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) increased its value by 1.34% today.
Financial shares found themselves on the right side of the equation as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) bouncing up 1.1%.
We could say the same for industrial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) banked a 0.74% gain this session.
Finally, communications shares eked out a win, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.74% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's index winner came down to property stock PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA). Pexa shares vaulted 5.41% higher this Wednesday to finish at $12.07 each.
This jump came after the company gained regulatory approval to operate in the UK market.
Here are the other top shares from today's trading:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) | $12.07 | 5.41% |
| LendLease Group (ASX: LLC) | $5.28 | 3.94% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $11.42 | 3.44% |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $3.92 | 3.43% |
| BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) | $23.87 | 2.93% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.565 | 2.73% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.63 | 2.73% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $21.94 | 2.67% |
| Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) | $20.89 | 2.55% |
| TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) | $30.06 | 2.45% |
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.
