The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) snapped its three-day losing streak to push decisively upwards this Thursday, pushing many stocks to a gain. After remaining in green territory all day, the ASX 200 ended up closing 0.75% higher.
This healthy move leaves the index at 8,848.7 points.
This encouraging session for the local markets follows a bullish morning over on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) bounced back with a vengeance this morning, shooting 1.21% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared almost identically, gaining 1.18%.
But let's get back to ASX shares now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared amid today's pleasant trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
There were only a handful of ASX sectors that didn't manage to push higher this session.
Leading those losers were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) gave up some of its recent gains with a nasty 5.57% tumble today.
Broader mining stocks were also out of favour, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tumbling 1.71%.
The other losers this Thursday were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) retreated 0.27% by the closing bell.
But it was all smiles everywhere else. Leading the winners today were energy stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 2.98% surge higher.
Consumer discretionary shares had a day to remember, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) soared up 2.43% this session.
Utilities stocks ran hot as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) vaulting 1.9% higher.
Financial shares were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) jumped by 1.87% today.
Healthcare stocks also saw some decent demand, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.52% lift.
Consumer staples shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) galloped up 1.1%.
Industrial stocks didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) bouncing up 0.84%.
Nor did real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) added 0.81% to its total.
Finally, communications shares slid home with a win, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.38% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our top stock this Thursday was retailer Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV). Premier shares enjoyed a fabulous day, rocketing 9.87% to $14.02 per share.
This gain was perhaps influenced by an optimistic broker report, which you can read about here.
Here's how the rest of today's winners landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) | $14.02 | 9.87% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $4.73 | 9.49% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.67 | 6.80% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $1.20 | 5.75% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $8.53 | 5.44% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $7.79 | 5.41% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $6.26 | 5.39% |
| Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) | $6.77 | 5.29% |
| Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) | $6.38 | 5.28% |
| South32 (ASX: S32) | $4.40 | 5.26% |
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.
