The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a strong start to the Christmas trading week this Monday, recording an enthusiastic rise in the holiday spirit.
After staying in green territory all session, the ASX 200 ended up rising 0.91% today, closing at a tantalising 8,699.9 points.
This happy start to the week for Australian investors comes after a similarly bullish end to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, gaining 0.38%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more enthusiastic, shooting up 1.31%.
But let's get back to this week and the local markets now, and take a closer look at what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this Monday.
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Winners and losers
Today's gains were universal, with not one sector missing out on a rise.
The worst place to be, though, was in tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was relatively muted this session, ticking up by 0.19%.
Financial stocks were relatively subdued as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) lifting 0.29%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) came next. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) bounced 0.5% higher this Monday.
Consumer staples shares were just above that, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.52% bump.
We could say the same for utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) saw its value jump 0.56%.
That gain was mirrored by consumer discretionary shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) also adding 0.56%.
Healthcare stocks only just pipped that too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) put on another 0.57% today.
Industrial shares saw some decent attention, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.64% leap.
Next came communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) galloped 0.81% higher by the closing bell.
Buyers stepped on the gas with energy shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) soaring up 1.45%.
They were even more desperate to get their hands on mining stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surged 2.34% today.
But leading the charge this session were gold stocks, illustrated by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 4.07% explosive gain.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Winning the chart this Monday was furniture retailer Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK). Nick Scali shares vaulted 9.88% higher this session to finish at $23.25 each.
This big jump followed an announcement from the company, which upgraded guidance for the first half of FY2026.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK) | $23.25 | 9.88% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $3.00 | 7.91% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $3.06 | 7.75% |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $1.28 | 7.56% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $4.17 | 7.20% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $9.73 | 7.04% |
| NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) | $12.73 | 6.62% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $77.60 | 6.59% |
| Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) | $25.50 | 6.29% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $55.90 | 6.17% |
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.
