The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), at risk of sounding like a broken record, hit a new record high once more this Monday, in what was a very encouraging start to the trading week for investors.
By the time the market wrapped up today, the ASX 200 had closed up 0.23% at 8,959.3 points, after hitting a new all-time high of 8,963 points during intra-day trading.
This enthusiastic start to the Australian trading week came after a far more nervous end to the American trading week last Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to finish in the green, if only just, rising 0.078%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) couldn't quite stick the landing and dropped 0.4%.
But let's return to this week and our local market's stunning trading day to see how the broader market's optimism filtered down into the various ASX sectors this session.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
Despite the market's new high watermark, there were still a few sectors that went backwards this Monday.
Leading those losers were mining stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was punished today, slumping 0.75%.
Gold shares were no safe haven either, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) sliding down 0.52%.
Continuing the commodities theme, energy stocks were shunned as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up slipping down 0.49%.
Industrial shares were our final losers, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.05% dip.
Turning to the green sectors now, it was communications stocks that led the push higher today. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) ended up soaring 1.39% higher.
Tech shares had a strong day too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) shooting up 0.82%.
We could say the same for financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) banked a 0.7% surge this session.
Next up were consumer discretionary shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.42% jump.
Its consumer staples counterpark wasn't far behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) saw its value appreciate by 0.36% today.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't miss out either, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) lifting 0.33%.
Healthcare stocks lived up to their name, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) ticked up 0.05% this session.
Finally, utilities shares were on the right side of the ledger, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.01% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Healthcare stock Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) was our best stock on the index this Monday. Clarity shares saw their value soar by 8.2% today, leaving them at $3.96.
This dramatic gain came despite no fresh news or announcements out of the company this Monday.
Here's how the rest of today's winners pulled up:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $3.96 | 8.20% |
| LendLease Group (ASX: LLC) | $5.92 | 6.67% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.90 | 6.51% |
| REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) | $261.42 | 4.45% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $17.06 | 4.34% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $4.75 | 3.94% |
| Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) | $16.17 | 3.85% |
| Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) | $2.37 | 3.49% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $2.27 | 3.18% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $8.23 | 3.13% |
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.
