The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) staged a strong advance this hump day, driving the value of many ASX shares markedly higher. In what is shaping up to be a fairly optimistic week on the markets, the ASX 200 recovered from some early wobbles to decisively push upwards, banking a solid 0.92% rise by the time trading finished today. That leaves the index at 8,789.3 points.
This jubilant Wednesday for the Australian markets followed a far less rosy night over on the American bourse.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) sold down again, losing 0.26% of its value.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did a little better, but still lost 0.085%.
Let's return to the local markets now and take a closer look at what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this session.
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Winners and losers
There was only one sector that was left behind in the stampede to higher ground.
That unfortunate sector was tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was left out in the cold, diving 0.41%.
It was much more exciting everywhere else.
Leading the charge higher this Wednesday were real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) rocketing 3.6%.
Consumer discretionary shares were on fire, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) soared up 2.27%.
Communications shares ran hot as well, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 1.93% surge.
Industrial stocks also saw decent demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) galloped 1.65% higher.
Energy shares didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) vaulting up 1.56%.
We could say the same for gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) jumped 1.35% this session.
Healthcare shares were a little less enthusiastic, though, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.71% leap higher.
Mining stocks followed healthcare. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) saw its value get a 0.67% bump today.
Consumer staples shares came back from an early retreat, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) adding 0.57% to its total.
Utilities stocks fared decently as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) enjoyed a 0.48% lift.
Finally, financial shares managed to stay on the right side of the ledger, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.27% dip.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's index winner was REIT LendLease Group (ASX: LLC). LendLease units roared 11.3% higher this Wednesday to close at $2.66. There wasn't any price-sensitive news out of the REIT today, although most of its peers did very well.
Here's how the other high-flyers landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| LendLease Group (ASX: LLC) | $2.66 | 11.30% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.58 | 8.97% |
| Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) | $18.86 | 6.43% |
| Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) | $20.53 | 6.32% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $24.77 | 6.35% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $0.875 | 6.06% |
| REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) | $157.50 | 5.85% |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $4.49 | 5.65% |
| Atlas Arteria (ASX: ALX) | $3.95 | 5.33% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $1.70 | 5.26% |
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.
