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.
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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.
