The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back to the races this Thursday, recording a strong rise and once again resetting its record high.
By the time trading wrapped up this session, the ASX 200 had jumped a healthy 0.53% to 8,873.8 points. That's after the index hit an intra-day all-time high of 8,899.1 points just after midday.
This momentous day for the Australian markets comes after a similarly bullish one for the American markets last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a blowout, shooting 1.04% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as enthusiastic though, rising by 0.14%.
But let's return to ASX shares now and examine how today's favourable trading conditions affected the various ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
As one might expect, we had far more sectors in the green than red this Thursday.
Leading those red sectors were communications shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was punished, plunging 0.93%.
Mining stocks had a day to forget too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) dropping 0.45%.
The other losers from today's trading were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was walked back 0.23% by the closing bell.
There was nothing but good news for the other corners of the market, though.
Leading the charge higher were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was back in favour, soaring by a healthy 3.51%.
We could say the same for financial shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 1.29% surge.
Consumer discretionary stocks had a day to remember as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) galloping 0.84% higher.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) saw some demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up banking a 0.67% rise.
Healthcare stocks also ran hot, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.53% bounce.
Consumer staples shares fared reasonably well, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) saw its value swell by 0.42%.
Gold stocks came next, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) adding 0.33% to its total.
Industrial shares were a little more muted, although the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) still came home 0.08% heavier.
Finally, tech stocks eked out a win, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.06% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Beating out some stiff competition, today's winner was furniture retailer Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW).
Temple & Webster shares rocketed 8.75% higher this Thursday to finish at $28.25 each. This big jump followed the company dropping its latest earnings results, which investors clearly gave the green light to.
Here's how the rest of today's top stocks pulled up:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) | $28.35 | 8.75% |
| Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) | $12.59 | 6.33% |
| Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) | $36.04 | 6.31% |
| Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) | $315.69 | 6.24% |
| Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) | $2.22 | 5.21% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.43 | 4.74% |
| Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) | $15.17 | 4.26% |
| Lifestyle Communities Ltd (ASX: LIC) | $4.98 | 4.18% |
| Arena REIT (ASX: ARF) | $3.88 | 4.02% |
| James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) | $45.67 | 3.96% |
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.
