The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shook off the pessimism that we saw yesterday to kick off the trading week to push back higher towards record territory this Tuesday. Investors seemed to have started today's session with a renewed sense of optimism, with the ASX 200 starting in green territory and staying there all session. By the time the markets closed today, the index had risen 0.19% to 9,250.6 points, not too far off the all-time high of 9,296.7 points.
This happy Tuesday session for ASX investors came despite a more downbeat start to the American trading week on Wall Street last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was volatile but ended up closing down 0.11%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did a little bit worse, dropping 0.32%.
But let's get back to the local markets now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared amid today's sunny market conditions.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's rise, there were a few sectors that still went backwards.
Leading those losers were consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was hit hard today, plunging 1.46%.
Tech shares were punished as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) diving 0.83%.
Industrial stocks weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) ended up sinking 0.75% this Tuesday.
Financial shares followed industrials, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.35% dip.
Communications stocks had a day to forget as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) saw its value slide 0.29% today.
Our last losers were real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slipping 0.14% lower.
Turning to the green sectors now, it was energy shares that led the winners. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had soared a huge 3.91% by the close of trading.
Healthcare stocks also ran hot, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 2.15% surge.
Utilities shares were in demand, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumped 0.98% this Tuesday.
Then we had mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) adding 0.51% to its tally.
Gold shares kept up their recent run. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) advanced another 0.45% this session.
Finally, consumer discretionary shares didn't miss out, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.22% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our top stock this Tuesday, and by a mile, was shipbuilder Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB). Austal shares roared 17.45% higher today to finish at $4.51 each.
This big gain followed the company's latest earnings, which included a revelation that Austal has had some takeover interest.
Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $4.51 | 17.45% |
| Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI) | $5.64 | 10.16% |
| Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) | $8.00 | 6.52% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.75 | 6.38% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $0.87 | 5.45% |
| Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) | $8.06 | 5.36% |
| FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) | $2.00 | 4.99% |
| Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) | $11.02 | 4.75% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $40.75 | 4.17% |
| Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) | $33.01 | 3.84% |
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.
