The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has just capped off a remarkable end to the trading week this Friday, rising strongly and hitting a significant new all-time record high.
By the time trading wrapped up today, the ASX 200 had vaulted a euphoric 1.37% higher, finishing up the week at 8,757.2 points. That's after the index hit a new all-time high of 8,776.4 points.
Today is the first day in history that the index has crossed the 8,700-point threshold.
This momentous day for the Australian markets comes after a bullish overnight session on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had another robust showing, rising by 0.52%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more enthusiastic, jumping 0.75% and hitting a new record of its own.
But let's get back to the ASX now and dive deeper into what today's gains meant for the various ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
It was a day of universal gains, with not one sector losing value.
The worst-hit corner of the markets was energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) still got a decent 0.46% bump, though.
Communications stocks were also relatively muted, although the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) still ticked up a comfortable 0.79%.
Utilities shares were just ahead of that. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) rose by 0.8% today.
Industrial stocks did a little better again, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.82% gain.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were popular too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) managed a 0.88% improvement.
Gold shares didn't miss out, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) jumping 0.91%.
Consumer staples shares broke the ton, though. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) saw a flat 1% increase in value.
Financial shares saw significant buying pressure too, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 1.17% leap higher.
We could say the same for consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) soared 1.2% higher this Friday.
Tech shares ran hot as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) rocketing up 1.5%.
Mining stocks had a phenomenal day. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surged by a significant 2.06%.
Lastly, healthcare shares were our final, and most dramatic, winners, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s explosive 2.47% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
There was some intense competition for top spot on the index this session, but healthcare share Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) didn't make it close in the end.
Mesoblast stock launched into the stratosphere this Friday with a whopping 34.64% rise to $2.41.
This came after the company released a very encouraging quarterly update.
Here's a look at the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.41 | 34.64% |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $3.89 | 11.78% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.925 | 10.12% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $1.71 | 8.57% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $3,05 | 7.77% |
| Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL) | $2.52 | 5.88% |
| Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL) | $4.17 | 5.84% |
| Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) | $5.55 | 5.51% |
| Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) | $5.26 | 4.99% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $29.08 | 4.79% |
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.
