The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed another mild recovery day this hump day, adding to yesterday's modest rise.
After a brief dip into negative territory this morning, the ASX 200 spent the rest of the day in the green, closing up 0.31%. That leaves the index at 8,640.6 points.
The optimism that we saw on the local markets this Wednesday followed a similarly optimistic morning on the American markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fared decently, gaining a timid 0.1%
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive though, rising 0.47%.
But let's get back to the Australian markets now and check out what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this session.
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Winners and losers
Today's gains were almost universal, with only one sector missing out on a rise.
That red sector was, ironically enough, healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was overlooked, slumping 0.7%.
But it was a party everywhere else.
Leading the winners this Wednesday were tech shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) surging 1.59%.
Utilities stocks fared relatively well, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soared 0.89% higher today.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were just behind that, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.87% spike.
Energy shares ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) galloped up 0.71%.
Industrial stocks also saw decent demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) jumping 0.66%.
Mining shares didn't miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) saw 0.47% added to its total by the closing bell.
Consumer staples stocks were hot on the miners' tail, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.43% lift.
Communications shares were in that ballpark, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) saw a 0.4% improvement this hump day.
Financial stocks were a little more muted, though, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) improving by 0.08%.
Consumer discretionary shares were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) ticked up 0.05%.
Finally, gold stocks squeaked over the line, illustrated by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.01% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Topping the ASX 200 charts this Wednesday was defence stock DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO). Droneshield shares rocketed 10.45% this session to close at $4.44 each.
This sizeable gain seemed to result from a new partnership announcement out from the company, which we dove into here.
Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb today:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $4.44 | 10.45% |
| Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM) | $20.68 | 9.88% |
| Web Travel Group Ltd (ASX: WEB) | $2.82 | 6.42% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $12.39 | 5.90% |
| New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) | $5.25 | 5.85% |
| DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) | $1.96 | 5.38% |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $4.98 | 4.62% |
| Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) | $6.62 | 4.58% |
| Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) | $12.79 | 4.24% |
| Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) | $2.11 | 3.94% |
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.
