It was an encouraging start to the trading week this Monday, with theS&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) recording a solid rise. By the time the markets closed today, the ASX 200 had climbed 0.43% higher, putting the index at 8,844.8 points.
This happy start to the trading week for the Australian markets follows a strong end to the American trading week last Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, advancing by 0.47%
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more excited, jumping 0.908% higher.
But let's get back to the ASX now and dig into how today's gains filtered down into the different ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
There were only a few ASX sectors that missed out on today's market optimism.
Leading those losers were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) had a shocker this Monday, tanking by a hefty 1.62%.
Gold stocks broke their recent run today as well, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) diving 0.83%.
Tech shares missed out, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) ended up dropping 0.73% today.
Utilities stocks were the final unlucky corner of the market, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.19% dip.
Turning to the winners now, it was mining shares that led the charge higher. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) saw its value soar by 1.58% by the closing bell.
Consumer staples stocks also had a great time, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) surging 0.95%.
Healthcare shares were in high demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) bounced 0.55% higher today.
Next came financial stocks, as you'll see by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.43% lift.
Energy shares were also finding buyers. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) banked a 0.41% gain this Monday.
We could say the same for industrial stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) adding 0.3% to its total.
Communications shares fared decently, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) put on an additional 0.25% this session.
Finally, real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't miss out on the market's good mood, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.19% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Dramatically coming out on top of the index this Monday was lithium stock Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS). Pilbara shares rocketed 19.69% higher this session to close at $2.31 each.
This gain, which also lifted other lithium stocks, came after some signs of life in the lithium market, which had been severely depressed thanks to oversupply concerns.
Here's the rest of the best stocks of the day:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $2.31 | 19.69% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.00 | 18.34% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $38.12 | 12.18% |
| DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) | $3.49 | 9.06% |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $5.43 | 8.60% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $4.56 | 7.80% |
| Lifestyle Communities Ltd (ASX: LIC) | $4.78 | 5.75% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $10.17 | 5.28% |
| Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) | $123.04 | 3.61% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $1.31 | 3.56% |
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.
