The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed another strong session this Thursday, building on the momentum we saw yesterday amongst ASX shares to push even higher. After sitting in green territory all day, and at one point climbing back over 9,100 points, the ASX 200 ended the day with a gain of 0.32%. That leaves the index at 9,043.5 points.
This positive session for the local markets follows a less enthusiastic session on the American markets in the early hours of this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up an early spike to close 0.13% lower.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared similarly, falling by 0.16%.
But let's get back to ASX shares now and examine how today's market-wide optimism trickled down to the different ASX sectors this Thursday.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's general positivity, there were several corners that were left behind.
The most notable of those were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a shocker today, collapsing by 6.65%.
Healthcare shares suffered another disastrous session too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) crashing 6.19% lower.
Consumer discretionary stocks were also out of favour. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) tanked by 2.13% today.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were left out in the cold too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 1.95% plunge.
Communications shares had an unlucky day as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) took a 1.54% dive this session.
Industrial stocks weren't finding many friends either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) sliding 0.87%.
Our last losers this Thursday were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) gave up an early lead to close 0.18% lower.
Let's get to the green sectors now, though. Leading the charge higher were utilities stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 2.89% surge.
Financial shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) soared 2.57% higher by the closing bell.
Mining stocks were popular too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) galloping up 1.13%.
Consumer staples shares didn't miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) added 0.79% to its value today
Finally, gold stocks held their own, illustrated by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.54% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our best ASX stock this Thursday was none other than big four bank ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ). ANZ shares rocketed 8.47% today, up to $40.35 each.
This dramatic gain for one of the ASX's largest stocks came after the bank released a well-received quarterly update.
Here's how the rest of today's winners landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| ANZ Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: ANZ) | $40.35 | 8.47% |
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) | $178.74 | 5.41% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $29.39 | 4.00% |
| Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) | $11.50 | 3.88% |
| PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $4.43 | 3.75% |
| AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) | $10.16 | 2.73% |
| Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) | $168.80 | 2.58% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $1.00 | 2.56% |
| Amcor plc (ASX: AMC) | $69.85 | 2.48% |
| National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) | $46.54 | 2.31% |
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.
