The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) kicked off the trading week on a sunny note this Monday, recording a healthy rise that pushed up the value of many ASX shares.
After a bumpy week last week, investors seemed to come back from the weekend with a bit of pep in their steps. The ASX 200 stayed in green territory all session, and ended up closing 0.17% higher today. That leaves the index at 8,679.7 points.
This happy start to the week for the Australian markets followed an even bubblier close to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) put on a heck of a show, gaining 0.93%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as euphoric, but still managed a 0.48% rise.
But let's return to this week and our local markets now for a closer look at what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this Monday.
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Winners and losers
Despite the broader market's lift, there were still a few corners of the market that went backwards today.
Leading those losers were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was hit hard today, plunging 1.57%.
Broader mining stocks weren't much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanking by 1.34%.
Tech shares were also unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) saw its value cut by 0.74% today.
Energy stocks weren't finding buyers either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.22% dip.
Industrial shares didn't find much love. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) slid 0.19% lower this session.
We could say something similar for consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slipping 0.02%.
That's it for the losers, though.
Turning to the green sectors now, it was healthcare shares that played the starring role today. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw a 1.49% surge this Monday.
Utilities stocks ran hot as well, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.17% jump.
Financial shares were also in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had roared 1.16% higher by the closing bell.
Consumer staples stocks didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) vaulting up 0.83%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) saw some comfortable gains, too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) added 0.57% to its tally.
Finally, communications shares slid home unscathed, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.32% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our top stock this Monday was gold miner Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST). Northern Star shares soared 56.15% higher this session to finish at $23.47 each.
This came after news that the company was approached for a takeover.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $23.47 | 6.15% |
| Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA) | $4.76 | 5.78% |
| CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) | $181.91 | 2.80% |
| Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SUN) | $19.06 | 2.69% |
| Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) | $244.98 | 2.28% |
| Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) | $12.62 | 2.27% |
| Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) | $16.59 | 2.16% |
| Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) | $1.75 | 2.04% |
| Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) | $145.13 | 1.99% |
| Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) | $7.98 | 1.79% |
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.
