It was a stunning finish to a stunning trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Friday. After a record-breaking week of new record highs, investors decided to give the share market one more before heading into the weekend.
As it happens, the ASX 200 closed the week right on its new record high of 9,198.6 points after a bouncy day that saw stints in both red and green territory. That was a gain worth 0.25% for the index.
This happy end to the Australian trading week on the ASX comes after a decidedly less sunny morning over on the American markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to squeak a rise, but only just, inching 0.034% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was far more decisive, but not in a good way, falling 1.18%.
But let's get back to the happier market now, though, and take a deeper look at what the various ASX sectors were up to this session.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
Despite the market's jump to a new record territory, there were a few sectors that missed out on a rise.
Leading those red sectors were consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) suffered a nasty 2.69% drop this Friday, assisted by the frosty reception to the earnings of Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL).
Tech shares were also out of favour, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) giving back 0.32% today.
We could describe what happened to financial stocks in a similar manner. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) went backwards by 0.24%.
Consumer discretionary shares were our last losers, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.05% dip.
With the losers out of the way, let's get to the winners now. Leading the charge higher were gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) enjoyed a 1.95% surge this Friday.
Utilities shares ran hot too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soaring 1.41%.
Communications stocks also saw strong demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) jumped up 1.28% by the close of trade.
Mining shares weren't short of buyers either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 1% leap.
Energy stocks were in a similar boat. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw its value lift 0.94% this session.
Industrial shares didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) bouncing up 0.64%.
Nor did real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) added 0.43% to its total today.
Finally, healthcare stocks managed to get over the line, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.1% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our top stock this Friday was US-based tech stock Block Inc (ASX: XYZ). Block blew away its competition with its shares exploding 27.83% higher today to $94.15 each.
This massive gain followed the company's release of its quarterly and full-year results this morning.
Here's the rest of this Friday's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $94.15 | 27.83% |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $18.98 | 10.09% |
| Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) | $6.75 | 9.05% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $14.72 | 5.14% |
| Car Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) | $26.52 | 4.74% |
| PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) | $14.98 | 4.68% |
| TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) | $26.07 | 4.57% |
| Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) | $5.86 | 3.90% |
| AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) | $25.34 | 3.77% |
| REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) | $166.39 | 3.63% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
