It was back to the races for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and ASX shares this Thursday, as investors shook off yesterday's pessimism to push higher.
By the time the closing bell rang today, the ASX 200 had added an enthusiastic 0.9% to close at 8,639 points. That's after the index hit a new record high of 8,641.8 points during intra-day trading.
This happy day for ASX investors follows a rosy night up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, rising 0.53%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was less decisive, but still managed a 0.25% increase.
But let's get back to the Australian markets and dive a little deeper into how today's gains trickled down into the different ASX sectors this session.
Winners and losers
There was only one sector that was left out of today's rally.
That sector was gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was singled out this Thursday, diving 0.64%.
But it was all smiles everywhere else.
Leading the winners today were industrial stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) soaring 1.43% higher by the time trading wrapped up.
Financial shares had a day to remember, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) galloped 1.33% higher this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) ran hot as well, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 1.31% surge.
Tech stocks were in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) leapt 1.02% higher today.
Utilities shares were right behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) shooting up 0.99%.
Healthcare stocks followed utilities. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) added 0.88% to its value.
Consumer discretionary shares had a great day too, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.78% jump.
Energy stocks were a little more muted. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) still managed a 0.34% rise, though.
Consumer staples shares made the winner's cut as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) lifting 0.24%.
Communications stocks also fared decently. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) added 0.18% to its total this Thursday.
That number was mirrored by our final sector, mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) also recording a 0.18% gain.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our top performer this Thursday was tech stock Block Inc (ASX: XYZ). Block shares rose by a healthy 5.13% this session to finish at $106.40 each.
There wasn't any news from Block itself today, but the company's US shares rose by 4.58% last night, which might explain its elevated performance during this session.
Here's a look at the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $106.40 | 5.13% |
| Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL) | $2.38 | 4.85% |
| Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA) | $7.07 | 4.28% |
| Ingenia Communities Group Ltd (ASX: INA) | $5.31 | 4.12% |
| SiteMiner Ltd (ASX: SDR) | $4.51 | 3.92% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $1.79 | 3.77% |
| Atlas Arteria Group (ASX: ALX) | $5.17 | 3.40% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.78 | 3.31% |
| Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) | $2.24 | 3.23% |
| HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) | $102.41 | 3.22% |
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.
