It was a bullish Tuesday session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and most ASX shares today. Despite the decision by the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) to hike interest rates for the first time since 2023 this afternoon, investors were still excited to buy shares.
By the time the markets closed, the ASX 200 had risen a buoyant 0.89% to 8,857.1 points.
This rosy Tuesday session for the ASX follows a euphoric morning up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was on fire, shooting 1.05% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as enthusiastic, but still managed a 0.56% gain.
But let's return to the local markets now and take stock of what the various ASX sectors were up to today.
Winners and losers
It was almost a universally positive session this Tuesday, with only one sector left out of the market's excitement.
That unlucky sector was utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was singled out for punishment, shedding 1.12% of its value.
But it was all smiles everywhere else.
Leading the winners today were gold stocks, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) recovering a little from yesterday's sell-off to post a 1.96% surge.
Tech shares were in demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) soared 1.89% higher today.
Mining stocks also ran hot, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 1.49% spike.
Consumer discretionary shares didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) vaulted up 1.12% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) lifting 1.09%.
Financial stocks had another strong day. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) swelled by 0.82% this Tuesday.
We could say the same for industrial shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.55% bounce higher.
Energy stocks fared decently, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) added 0.5% to its total by the closing bell.
Consumer staples shares were in the winners' corner as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) increasing by 0.48%.
Healthcare stocks managed to stick the landing. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) crawled 0.1% higher today.
Finally, communications shares scraped home with a small rise, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.04% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Defence stock DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) was our index topper this Tuesday. DroneShield shares rocketed 7.83% higher this session, closing at $3.71 each.
This gain came despite no fresh news or announcements from the company itself.
Here's how the other top stocks from today's trading pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $3.71 | 7.83% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $164.75 | 5.64% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $16.73 | 5.09% |
| NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) | $5.42 | 4.84% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $14.46 | 4.18% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $28.64 | 4.07% |
| Sandfre Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) | $19.84 | 4.04% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $2.03 | 3.84% |
| Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) | $173.49 | 3.63% |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $15.25 | 3.25% |
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.
