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.
Image source: Getty Images
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.
