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.
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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.
