It was a volatile and ultimately successful day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday. After stints in both positive and negative territory this session, investors ended up siding with optimism and sent the index up a fractional 0.12% by the closing bell.
That leaves the ASX 200 at 8,640.7 points.
This rather wild day on the ASX follows a mixed night up on the American markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't quite hold its own and ended up dropping 0.14%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was in a better mood and gained a healthy 1.2%.
Let's return to the local markets now, though, and see what kind of movements were happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.
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Winners and losers
We had plenty of both winners and losers this Thursday.
Leading the latter were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was singled out for punishment this session, cratering by a nasty 2.2%
Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) crashing 1.87% lower.
We could say the same for gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanked 1.42%.
Healthcare stocks had a decidedly unhealthy time of it today, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.03% slump.
Energy shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) took a 0.77% dive this session.
Communications stocks came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) dipping 0.63%.
Consumer discretionary shares followed communications. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw 0.43% wiped from its value this Thursday.
Our last losers today were mining stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.1% slide.
Turning to the winners now, it was financial shares that led the charge higher. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) recovered enthusiastically from yesterday's loss, jumping 1.02%.
Utilities stocks were also popular, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifting 0.79%.
Industrial shares managed a gain as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) had 0.48% added to its total this session.
Finally, Real estate investment trusts (REITs) got over the line. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) got a 0.23% bump by the end of the day.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Blasting away the competition this Thursday was tech stock Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1). Megaport shares soared a massive 27.72% this session to finish up at $12.58 each.
This dramatic gain followed the company announcing a massive contract win, which clearly delighted investors.
Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $12.58 | 27.72% |
| 4D Medical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) | $3.83 | 13.31% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $40.22 | 4.33% |
| Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) | $7.88 | 3.68% |
| Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) | $244.53 | 3.26% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $1.66 | 3.11% |
| Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) | $5.86 | 2.99% |
| PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) | $12.25 | 2.94% |
| Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) | $16.58 | 2.82% |
| Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI) | $22.94 | 2.73% |
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.
