It was a pleasant end to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Friday. Investors shook off the negativity that we saw yesterday right off the bat this morning, pushing the market higher at open.
The ASX 200 stayed in green territory all session, steadily climbing to close with a 0.6% gain. That leaves the index at 9,092.3 points as we head into the weekend.
This happy day for Australian investors followed an upbeat Thursday session for US markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) enjoyed a modest 0.1% gain.
Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) ran much hotter, rising 1.57%.
But let's get back to the local markets now for an examination of how the various ASX sectors fared amid today's pleasant trading conditions.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
There were only a couple of sectors that weren't invited to today's ASX party.
The most conspicuous absentee was real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was left out in the cold, slumping 0.78%.
The other unlucky corner of the market was utilities shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slipping 0.09%.
Let's get to the winners now, though. Leading said winners this Friday were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was on fire, shooting 2.31% higher.
Mining stocks were in high demand too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.98% surge.
Gold shares were also popular. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) roared 0.9% higher this session.
Financial stocks had a day to remember as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) soaring 0.75%.
Energy shares didn't miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) enjoyed a 0.66% jump this Friday.
We could say something similar for consumer discretionary stocks, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.44% leap.
Its consumer staples counterpart was a little less enthusiastic. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) still managed a 0.3% improvement, though.
Communications stocks were our next corner of the market, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) advancing 0.25%.
Healthcare shares were decent performers, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) put on 0.08% today.
Finally, industrial shares only just got over the line, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.04% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Gold stock Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) was our chart-topper this Friday.
Pantoro shares rocketed up 5.88% to close at $2.88 each today. That was despite no news or announcements from the company today.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) | $2.88 | 5.88% |
| Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) | $2.71 | 5.04% |
| Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) | $85.64 | 4.78% |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.20 | 4.37% |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $1.44 | 4.36% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $3.05 | 4.10% |
| PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $5.36 | 4.08% |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $8.58 | 3.50% |
| TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) | $32.74 | 3.48% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $71.00 | 3.06% |
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.
