The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) sent off the trading week with a bang this Friday, recording a healthy rise and breaking what was the longest losing streak the Australian markets have seen in years.
After falling for eight straight sessions in a row, the ASX 200 finally turned a corner today, with investors clearly deciding enough was enough. By the time trading wrapped up, the index had gained 0.74%, leaving it at 8,729.8 points as we head into the weekend.
This stellar end to the trading week for the local markets comes after a euphoric night on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was off to the races, rising a confident 1.62%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was slightly less enthusiastic, but managed a respectable 0.89% jump regardless.
Let's return to the ASX now and examine how today's market optimism percolated down into the different ASX sectors this session.
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Winners and losers
Today's market enthusiasm only left one corner of the ASX behind.
That unlucky sector was financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was looked over today, sliding 0.25% lower.
But it was all sunshine and rainbows everywhere else.
Leading the charge were mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soaring 2.09%
Industrial shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) surged up 1.27% this session.
Consumer staples stocks also saw strong demand, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 1.13% bounce.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) leapt up 1.05% by the end of trading.
Gold shares got a look in, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) adding a flat 1% to its total.
As did, to a lesser extent, consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) put on an additional 0.78%.
Communications stocks joined the party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting 0.74%.
Tech stocks came next, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.73% jump.
Utilities shares didn't miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) came home 0.56% heavier this Friday.
Healthcare stocks managed a win as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) increasing by 0.21%.
Finally, energy shares managed to keep above water, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.02% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best share on the index came in as lithium stock Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR). Liontown shares had another strong session, adding a robust 12.34% to finish the week at $2.64 a share.
This seems to be a continuation of the momentum we saw yesterday following the company's well-received quarterly report.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $2.64 | 12.34% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $4.50 | 9.76% |
| NextGen Energy (Canada) Ltd (ASX: NXG) | $17.35 | 6.31% |
| NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) | $6.44 | 5.23% |
| Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) | $19.26 | 5.19% |
| Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) | $98.77 | 5.07% |
| Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) | $1.38 | 4.96% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $1.77 | 4.75% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $66.70 | 4.69% |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $2.39 | 4.37% |
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.
