The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back to the races this Thursday, reversing yesterday's chunky loss and pushing the value of many ASX shares decisively higher.
In what has turned out to be an exceptionally volatile week of trading, the ASX 200 opened comfortably in the green today and stayed there until the closing bell. The index ended up finishing 1.47% higher at 8,621.7 points.
This happy Thursday session on the local markets comes after a similarly bullish night over on the American exchanges.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was on fire, rising a happy 1.31%
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more enthusiastic, gaining 1.54%.
Let's get back to the ASX now and check out how today's optimism percolated down into the different ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
Today's market euphoria has left out a few sectors.
Chief amongst those losers were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had a rough one, dibing 0.95%.
Utilities shares were also left out in the cold, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) diving 0.67%.
Communications stocks were the other unlucky corner of the markets. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) ended up sinking 0.64%.
But it was all smiles everywhere else. Mining shares led the charge higher, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 2.56% surge.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up soaring 2.28%.
Industrial stocks saw significant demand too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) vaulting 1.62% higher.
Gold shares didn't miss out either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw its value spike 1.58% this session.
Next came financial stocks, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 1.45% jump.
Following financials, we had consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lifted 1.29% today.
Healthcare stocks had plenty of pep too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) popping up 1.17%.
Consumer staples shares were a little more muted. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) still managed a leap of 0.18%, though.
Finally, tech stocks eked out a positive performance, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.01% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Easily besting the competition this Thursday was fast food stock Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG). Guzman shares rocketed a flat 13% this session to finish at $18.08 each.
With no news out from the company, this looks like a classic rebound after yesterday's 8.47% loss.
Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) | $18.08 | 13.00% |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $9.07 | 7.46% |
| Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) | $1.40 | 6.46% |
| Imdex Ltd (ASX: IMD) | $4.03 | 6.05% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $3.00 | 6.01% |
| Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) | $5.01 | 5.47% |
| James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) | $27.99 | 5.42% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $13.34 | 5.29% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $4.90 | 5.15% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $13.04 | 4.99% |
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.
