The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended the trading week on a positive note this Friday, recording a respectable rise.
After recovering from an early morning slump, the ASX 200 ended up closing 0.3% higher by the closing bell. That leaves the index at 8,434.7 points as we head into the weekend.
This solid end to the week's trading for ASX investors follows a similarly rosy session up on Wall Street overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a decent time, rising 0.28%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was in the same ballpark, gaining 0.39%.
But let's get back to ASX stocks now and see how today's benign trading conditions filtered down into the different ASX sectors today.
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Winners and losers
There were far more green sectors than red ones this Friday.
Leading the latter, though, were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) gave up much of yesterday's gains, plunging 1.37%.
Tech stocks had a day to forget as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) diving 0.58%.
Consumer discretionary shares were also unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw 0.45% wiped from its value.
Our final losers were communications stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.42% slide.
Turning to the green sectors now, gold shares topped the charts this session. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) enjoyed a very strong day indeed, vaulting 2.23% higher.
Utilities stocks were in demand too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) surging 1.18% higher.
Consumer staples shares ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) soared 0.96% this Friday.
Financial stocks enjoyed another successful session, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.73% jump.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't left out either. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ran 0.55% higher by the closing bell.
Mining shares picked up some buyers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) galloping up 0.33%.
Healthcare stocks followed miners. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had lifted 0.17% by the end of trading.
Finally, industrial shares eked out a gain, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.02% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top of the index this Friday was healthcare share Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC). Ramsay stock flew up 5.89% this Friday to close at $38.30.
This sizeable gain came despite no price-sensitive news out from the company.
Here's the rest of today's top performers:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) | $38.30 | 5.89% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $2.83 | 5.60% |
| Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) | $33.93 | 5.27% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $4.72 | 4.42% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $0.99 | 4.21% |
| Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) | $8.44 | 4.07% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $9.76 | 3.94% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $4.75 | 3.49% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.45 | 3.45% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $8.33 | 3.35% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
