The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a very pleasant end to the trading week indeed this Friday. After yesterday's nasty drop, investors seemed keen to turn over a new leaf before the end of the week. The ASX 200 opened sharply higher and stayed in green territory all session. The index ended up closing with a healthy 1.62% gain, leaving it at 8,731.7 points as we head into the weekend.
This happy Friday for the ASX comes after a more measured night of trading on the American markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a nervous session, finishing with a tentative 0.049% rise.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, though, rising a solid 0.91%.
But let's return to the local markets now and check out how today's terrific trading conditions spilled over into the different ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
Today's gains were almost universal, with only two sectors not joining the party.
The first of those losers was utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) missed out on the optimism, retreating 0.27%.
The other red sector was energy shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) dipping 0.14% this session.
The party continued uninterrupted for the other corners of the market, though.
Leading the celebrations were gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) ended up rocketing 4.5% by the closing bell.
Broader mining shares were popular as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 2.89% surge.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) saw its value soar 1.89% today.
Tech stocks were in demand too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) jumping 1.68%.
Consumer discretionary shares were in the same ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) put on another 1.59% this Friday.
We could say the same for industrial stocks, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.48% rally.
Financial shares found a few buyers too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) lifted 1.24% this session.
Healthcare stocks lived up to their name, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) bouncing up 0.92%.
Consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) enjoyed a 0.7% run-up.
Finally, communications stocks got over the line, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.18% advance.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out ahead of the rest of the index pack today was healthcare stock 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX). 4DMedical shares exploded 18.86% higher this session, finishing at $3.97 each.
This dramatic jump came after the company announced a new commercial agreement for the US markets.
Here's the rest of today's best
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) | $3.97 | 18.86% |
| Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) | $1.56 | 12.23% |
| Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) | $3.99 | 9.62% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $5.83 | 9.59% |
| Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) | $10.93 | 8.22% |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $1.29 | 7.98% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $3.17 | 7.82% |
| Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) | $1.37 | 7.48% |
| Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) | $13.65 | 6.72% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $5.17 | 6.38% |
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.
