The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a happy hump day session this Wednesday, pushing the value of many ASX shares higher after yesterday's rough start to the short trading week.
It was a bit of a wild session for the ASX 200 today, with the index dipping into the red at one point. But investors regained their optimism, and the index finished 0.57% higher at 8,653.3 points.
This successful session for Australian investors comes after a mixed night on the American markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fared decently, rising by 0.17%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) went the other way, dropping a chunky 0.97%.
But let's return to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into what the different ASX sectors were up to today.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's lift, a few sectors missed out on the optimism.
Leading those red sectors were gold shares again. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had a shocker, diving 4.45% lower.
Tech stocks were also on the nose, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) plunging 2.34%.
We could say something similar for mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) took a 1.14% hit today.
Our last losers were energy stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.87% dip.
Turning to the green sectors now, consumer staple shares led the way higher. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) rocketed 3.87% this session.
Its consumer discretionary counterpart also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) soaring 3.58%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) jumped up 1.82% this Wednesday.
Utilities stocks didn't miss out either, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.25% surge.
Nor did communications shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) bounced 1.19% higher.
Industrial stocks came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) lifting 1.13% by the closing bell.
Healthcare shares enjoyed another positive session as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) ended up advancing 0.88%.
Finally, financial stocks came to a dead heat with healthcare shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.88% gain.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
It was insurance stock Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) that easily took out today's top spot. Steadfast shares exploded 36.2% higher this session to close at $5.38 each. Despite being in a trading halt for most of today, the company announced a takeover offer this afternoon, which sent investors into a frenzy.
Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) | $5.38 | 36.20% |
| AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) | $28.70 | 9.84% |
| Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) | $15.46 | 8.57% |
| Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK) | $15.22 | 6.58% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $2.23 | 6.19% |
| Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS) | $3.14 | 5.72% |
| Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) | $12.26 | 5.42% |
| Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) | $3.13 | 5.39% |
| Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) | $23.73 | 4.95% |
| Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) | $121.76 | 4.65% |
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.
