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.
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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.
