Investors caught a break in what was a mildly positive Tuesday session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares.
After starting strong this morning, the ASX 200 took a brief dip into negative territory in afternoon trading. But investors' feet warmed back up by the time the markets closed, with the index lifting 0.36% to 8,614.3 points.
This happier trading session came after a bullish start to the American trading week in the early hours of this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) rose by an optimistic 0.83%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even better, gaining a solid 1.22%.
But let's return to the ASX now and take stock of how the various ASX sectors enjoyed (or not) today's renewed sense of optimism.
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Winners and losers
Despite the share market's rise, some corners of the market missed out.
Leading those red sectors were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had another shocker this Tuesday, diving 1.25%.
Consumer discretionary stocks weren't popular either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) tanking 1.1%.
Nor were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) sank 0.73% lower today.
Communications stocks missed out as well, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.28% dip.
Our last losers today were healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw its value slip 0.21% by the closing bell.
Let's turn to the winners now. It was gold stocks that shone the brightest, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring 2.66% higher.
Broader mining shares ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surged by 1% today.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in the same ballpark, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.94% bounce.
Then we had financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) saw decent demand, shooting 0.58% higher.
Utilities shares didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumping 0.45%.
Nor did consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) enjoyed a 0.17% lift this session.
Finally, industrial shares got over the line, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.07% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Beating out many of its peers, today's best stock on the ASX 200 was gold miner Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR). Pantoro shares spiked an impressive 12.02% this Tuesday to finish at $3.81 each.
There wasn't any news out of the miner today, but gold stocks were in high demand this session.
Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) | $3.82 | 12.02% |
| Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) | $1.50 | 9.09% |
| Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) | $6.62 | 7.64% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $11.70 | 6.56% |
| West African Resources (ASX: WAF) | $2.94 | 5.76% |
| Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) | $6.24 | 4.87% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.59 | 4.28% |
| Greatland Resources (ASX: GGP) | $11.96 | 3.91% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $6.21 | 3.67% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $13.58 | 3.66% |
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.
