The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed another positive session this Thursday, adding to the gains we saw yesterday and pushing the ASX 200 back above 8,700 points. By the time trading wrapped up today, the index had added 0.29%, leaving it at 8,720.8 points.
This happy day for the ASX comes after a more mixed morning up on the American markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a nasty time of it, dropping 0.94%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was spared that negativity though, rising by 0.16%.
But time to return to the local markets now and check out how the different ASX sectors fared this Thursday.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
It was almost a greenwash on the ASX today, with only two sectors losing value.
The first, and worst, of those sectors was gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) reversed some of the gains we saw yesterday, slumping 1.7%.
Broader mining shares were also out of favour, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) retrating 1.23%.
But it was all smiles everywhere else. Leading the charge higher this Thursday were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) rocketed 1.73% higher by the closing bell.
Healthcare shares also saw some healthy gains, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.64% surge.
We could say the same for consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) soared 1.35% this session.
Its consumer staples counterpart was treated a little less enthusiastically, though, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) lifting 0.69%.
Financial stocks came in just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) bounced 0.66% higher today.
Communications shares were also in that ballpark, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.65% vault upwards.
Utilities stocks received some love from the market. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) ticked up by 0.56%.
Industrial shares followed communications, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) adding 0.4% to its value this Thursday.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) got a look in too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) jumped 0.3% by the end of trading.
Finally, energy stocks didn't miss out, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.29% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winner was healthcare stock Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB). Mesoblast shares blasted 8.06% higher this session, closing at $2.95 each.
This gain came despite no news from the company today, although there seems to be some momentum building here.
Here's how the winners landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.95 | 8.06% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $3.42 | 7.21% |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $7.80 | 5.55% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $31.56 | 4.71% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $32.79 | 3.93% |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $106.85 | 3.68% |
| Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) | $4.24 | 3.67% |
| Car Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) | $30.46 | 3.04% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.955 | 2.69% |
| CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) | $174.45 | 2.62% |
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.
