It was a very happy hump day indeed for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Wednesday. After a mild start this morning, investors gained confidence and momentum throughout the trading day.
By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had settled back over 9,000 points (the first time since October) at 9,014.8 points, up a confident 1.66%.
This happy mid-week session for the ASX comes despite a more tempered morning over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to save itself from a drop, if only just, rising 0.1%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was not so lucky, dropping 0.59%.
But let's return to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into what the various ASX sectors were up to today amid the enthusiasm of the broader market.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's big rise, there were a few sectors that missed out on a rise.
Leading those unlucky corners of the market were healthcare stocks. Thanks mostly to CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had a horrid day, tanking by 2.5%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) improved on that loss substantially, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sliding 0.31% lower.
Our last losers this Wednesday were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) slipped by just 0.02% by market close.
Let's turn to the more exciting sectors now. Leading the push higher this session were financial stocks, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 3.48% rocket trip. Thank the earnings from Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) for that.
Gold shares had yet another fantastic time today, too. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) surged by 3.08%.
Utilities stocks ran hot as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) galloping 2.42% higher.
Mining shares also saw strong demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) jumped 2.11% this hump day.
Consumer discretionary stocks were strong, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 1% leap higher.
As were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lifted by 0.69%.
Industrial stocks weren't left out of the party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) getting a 0.55% boost.
Consumer staples shares attracted buyers, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) bounced up 0.51%.
Finally, communications stocks managed to stick the landing, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.1% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Topping the index this Wednesday was telco stock Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB). Aussie Broadband shares exploded 14.79% higher this session to close at $5.20 each.
This comes after the company announced a major acquisition.
Here's how the other top stocks pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB) | $5.20 | 14.79% |
| AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) | $9.89 | 11.75% |
| James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) | $36.87 | 10.92% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $16.28 | 8.68% |
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) | $169.56 | 6.82% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.86 | 6.30% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $2.76 | 5.34% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $6.89 | 5.03% |
| News Corporation (ASX: NWS) | $39.20 | 4.93% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $5.76 | 4.73% |
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.
