The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a happy end to the trading week this Friday, recording a solid rise that erased some of the nasty falls that we saw yesterday.
It was clear from market open that investors were feeling a renewed sense of optimism, with the ASX 200 opening in green territory and staying there all day. By the time the markets closed, the index had lifted 0.79% to 8,682.1 points as we head into the weekend.
This pleasant end to the Australian trading week followed a tentatively positive night over on the American markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to record a slight rise of 0.04%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared almost identically, gaining 0.039%.
Let's return to the local markets now though, and take a closer look at how the different ASX sectors fared amid today's trading.
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Winners and losers
There were only a couple of sectors that weren't lifted by the tide of optimism that we saw today.
The first, and worst, of those sectors were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was hit hard, slumping 1.63%.
Healthcare stocks were the other unlucky corner of the markets, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sliding 1.1%.
It was all smiles everywhere else, though.
Leading the charge higher this Friday were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) certainly had a day to remember, rocketing by 4.45%.
Energy stocks also ran hot, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 1.48% surge.
Mining shares were in demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 1.14% today.
Next came consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) shooting up 1.05%.
Financial shares were in that ballpark as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) galloped 1.03% higher.
Consumer discretionary stocks weren't left out, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.85% jump.
Nor were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 0.73% this session.
Communications stocks proved popular, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) adding 0.54% to its ledger.
Industrial shares put on a decent show. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) advanced 0.45% today.
Finally, gold stocks held their value, as you can see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.45% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
High-flying tech Stock Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) took out today's top spot on the index charts. Elsight shares exploded 12.95% higher this session to finish the week at $5.32 each. That was despite no fresh news or announcements out from the company recently.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) | $5.32 | 12.95% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $22.34 | 10.32% |
| Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL) | $13.61 | 7.76% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $20.40 | 7.03% |
| WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) | $33.43 | 6.67% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $1.83 | 6.41% |
| Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) | $57.85 | 4.59% |
| Technology One Ltd (ASX: TNE) | $30.52 | 4.45% |
| QBE Insurance Ltd (ASX: QBE) | $23.81 | 4.20% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $2.40 | 3.90% |
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.
