The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had an encouraging Wednesday session today, recording another rise to push it close to record territory once again. By the time trading concluded today, the ASX 200 had risen by a decent 0.25%, putting the index at a flat 8,918 points.
This happy hump day for the ASX comes after a more mixed night over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to squeak a gain, inching 0.023% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't nearly as lucky, though, diving 1.46%.
But let's return to the ASX now and examine what the various ASX sectors were doing this Wednesday.
Winners and losers
Leading today's red sectors were mining stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had another awful session, tanking by 2.32%.
Tech shares copped a beating too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) plummeting 1.28%.
Healthcare stocks had a decidedly unhealthy day as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) ended up dropping 1.23%.
Energy shares were also unclucky, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 1.16% sell-down.
Gold stocks were our final losers this hump day. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw its value slip by 0.27% by the closing bell.
Turning to the winners now, it was consumer discretionary shares that led the charge higher. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) had soared 1.93% by the closing bell.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) saw some healthy demand too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) surging 1.81%.
Financial stocks ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) added 1.43% to its total.
We could say the same for utilities shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.37% bounce higher.
Consumer staples stocks didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) lifted 0.82% this Wednesday.
Communications shares found a few buyers too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) increasing by 0.67%.
Finally, industrial stocks rounded out our winners, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.6% gain.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Investment company HMC Capital Ltd (ASX: HMC) came in on top of the index this hump day. HMC shares rocketed a huge 17.74% this session to close at $3.85 each.
This big surge in value came after a very bullish broker note from Morgans today, which we looked at here.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| HMC Capital Ltd (ASX: HMC) | $3.85 | 17.74% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $2.40 | 11.63% |
| Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) | $5.66 | 6.99% |
| Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) | $6.12 | 6.99% |
| Ninie Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) | $1.76 | 4.45% |
| National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) | $42.03 | 3.68% |
| APA Group (ASX: APA) | $8.76 | 3.42% |
| Charter Hall Retail REIT (ASX: CQR) | $4.23 | 3.17% |
| Vicinity Centres (ASX: VCX) | $2.62 | 3.15% |
| Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) | $9.16 | 2.87% |
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.
