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.
Image source: Getty Images
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.
