The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a bumper day of gains this Wednesday, climbing enthusiastically to hit a new all-time high this afternoon.
By the time trading wrapped up today, the ASX 200 finished up 0.84% at a rosy 8,843.7 points, the first time it has closed above the 8,800 point mark. That was after the index hit its new all-time high of 8,848.8 points.
Coincidentally, 8,848.8 is also about the height of Mount Everest in metres.
This momentous day of gains for the ASX follows a more negative night up on Wall Street for American investors.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a shaky day, closing 0.14% lower.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't in form either, tumbling 0.65%.
But let's return to the local markets now and check out how today's rises floated the various sectors of the ASX.
Winners and losers
It was almost all smiles on the ASX this hump day, with only one sector missing out on a rise.
That unlucky sector was utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was left out in the cold, dropping 0.06% this session. But it was all smiles everywhere else.
Leading the gainers today were gold stocks, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) exploding 3.31% higher by market close.
Energy shares had a day to remember, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up soaring 1.3%.
Mining stocks were hot on energy's heels, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 1.28% surge.
Consumer discretionary shares were in a similar ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) jumped by 1.19% this Wednesday.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) enjoyed another bumper session, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) bouncing 0.9% higher.
Tech stocks didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) galloped up 0.76% this session.
We could say the same for financial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.75% bounce.
Next came industrial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its value increase 0.56% by the closing bell.
Healthcare shares were at that level too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifting 0.55%.
Communications stocks joined the party. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) rose by 0.42% as of the market close.
Finally, consumer staples stocks made the winner's cut, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.16% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top of the index this hump day was IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL). IDP shares roared 11.7% higher this session, closing at $4.39 each.
This big move came despite no fresh news or announcements out of the company itself today.
Here's how the other winners from today landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $4.39 | 11.70% |
| Pinacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) | $25.21 | 9.47% |
| REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) | $254.50 | 6.94% |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $7.37 | 6.35% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $2.61 | 5.67% |
| James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) | $43.47 | 5.31% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $9.77 | 5.28% |
| News Corporation (ASX: NWS) | $55.30 | 5.13% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $17.13 | 4.96% |
| Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) | $13.83 | 4.69% |
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.
