The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a positive hump day session this Wednesday, reversing some of the losses we saw yesterday with many ASX shares pushing higher.
After some morning wobbles, the ASX 200 spent most of the session in green territory, and ended up closing with a happy 0.69% rise. That leaves the index at 8,717.7 points.
This pleasant Wednesday session for Australian investors comes after a mixed return to trading for the American markets last night, following Monday's public holiday.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up some initial optimism to close down 0.23%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared better, gaining a solid 1.19%.
But let's return to the local markets now and look a little closer at what was happening with the different ASX sectors this hump day.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
Today's optimism was nearly universal, with only one sector missing out on a rise.
That unlucky sector was communications shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was left out of the party, sliding 0.25% lower.
The party raged for the other sector, though. Leading the frivolities were consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) rocketing 1.81%.
Tech shares were dancing on the figurative tables, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) soared by 1.78% today.
Utilities stocks were up there with tech, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.7% surge.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) vaulted 1.59% higher this session.
Healthcare shares were also in demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) jumping 1.44%.
As were mining stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) leapt 0.93% higher by the closing bell.
Next came industrial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.7% lift.
Energy stocks didn't miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw its value improve by 0.43% this Wednesday.
Nor did consumer staples shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) ticking up 0.14%
Gold stocks held their value. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) added 0.13% to its total today.
Finally, financial shares squeaked over the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.1% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top this hump day was tech stock Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1). Megaport shares exploded 8.63% higher today, finishing up at $14.98 each.
There wasn't any news out from the company, so perhaps investors were reacting to some bullish opinions from ASX brokers.
Here's how the other winners landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $14.98 | 8.63% |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $4.25 | 7.59% |
| SiteMinder Ltd (ASX: SDR) | $3.02 | 5.96% |
| Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT) | $13.14 | 5.80% |
| 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) | $3.49 | 5.12% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.73 | 5.04% |
| Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL) | $8.75 | 5.04% |
| Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX) | $6.49 | 4.51% |
| Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) | $31.29 | 4.13% |
| Capstone Copper Corp. (ASX: CSC) | $14.90 | 3.98% |
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.
