The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a strong start to the trading week this Monday, partly reversing the sell-off we saw at the back end of last week.
By the time trading finished for the day, the ASX 200 had added a decent 0.33% to its total. That leaves the index at 8,542.3 points.
This happy start to Australian investors' trading week comes after a strong Friday night session (our time) that capped off the American trading week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was on fire, shooting a flat 1% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as bullish, but still managed to climb a respectable 0.52%.
But let's return to ASX shares now and examine how today's gains filtered down into the different ASX sectors this Monday.
Winners and losers
Despite the gains of the broader market, we still saw a few sectors take a backward step.
Leading those losers were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had a rough time this session, tanking by 0.77%.
Utilities stocks were also on the nose, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) dropping 0.28%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) missed out as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) took a 0.13% hit this Monday.
Energy shares missed out on a rise too, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.04% slip.
It was all smiles everywhere else, though.
Leading the winners this Monday were healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had a big win this session, jumping up 1.58%.
We could say the same for industrial shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) vaulting a flat 1% higher.
Consumer discretionary stocks were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) leapt by 0.98% today.
Gold shares also had a decent day, as you'll see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.67% bounce.
Financial stocks notched up a win as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) ended up lifting 0.47%.
Communications shares fared similarly, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) rising 0.44%.
Tech stocks enjoyed some attention too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) recorded a 0.12% gain this Monday.
Finally, consumer staples shares came down on the right side of the ledger, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.06% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Health insurance provider NIB Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF) was today's best index performer. NIB shares had an exceptional start to the week, shooting 9.43% higher to close at $7.08 each.
As we covered this afternoon, this lift appears to be a reaction to an optimistic note out from an ASX broker.
Here's how the rest of today's best closed:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| NIB Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF) | $7.08 | 9.43% |
| James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) | $41.70 | 7.06% |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $102.65 | 4.02% |
| Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) | $228.73 | 3.87% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.42 | 3.70% |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $6.28 | 3.29% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $2.27 | 3.18% |
| Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) | $25.74 | 2.88% |
| Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) | $28.29 | 2.87% |
| Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) | $2.16 | 2.86% |
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.
