The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a confident return to trading after the weekend this Monday. After a shaky week last week, investors seemed to come back refreshed.
After an early wobble this morning, the market found its footing and spent most of the session in positive territory. By the time the markets wrapped up today, the ASX 200 had advanced 0.4% and finished at a flat 8,692 points.
This happy start to the Australian trading week came after a similarly upbeat end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fared well, managing a 0.58% gain and resetting its record high.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) charted a similar trajectory, rising 0.19%.
But let's get back to this week and our local markets now and check out what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this session.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's good mood, there were still a few sectors that lost out this Monday.
Leading those losers were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was shunned today, cratering 2.41%.
Communications shares were unlucky too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) diving 1.32%.
Healthcare stocks missed out as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw its value dip 0.67%.
As did financial shares, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s unlucky 0.13% slide.
Utilities stocks were our last losers this Monday. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slipped 0.08% lower today.
Let's turn to the green sectors now. Convincingly leading the pack were gold shares, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rocketing a massive 4.93%.
Broader mining stocks weren't quite as enthusiastic. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) still managed a 1.84% surge, though.
Consumer discretionary shares ran hot too, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 1.02% pop.
Tech stocks were equally fiery. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) also surged by 1.02%.
Industrial shares were in demand as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) jumping 0.61%.
Next came real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) managed a 0.39% bounce this session.
Finally, consumer staples stocks got over the line, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.06% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Beating out several of its peers to claim top spot this Monday was gold stock Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG). Resolute shares exploded 9.39% higher this session to finish at $1.34 each.
With no news out from the company, this looks like an outlier to the gold buying that was going on today (as you can see below).
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $1.34 | 9.39% |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $8.87 | 8.70% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $6.40 | 8.47% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $5.56 | 8.38% |
| Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) | $7.04 | 7.48% |
| Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) | $13.92 | 6.75% |
| Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) | $20.62 | 6.67% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $3.41 | 6.56% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $99.09 | 6.19% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $14.50 | 6.07% |
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.
