It was a pleasant end to a bumpy week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and the broader Australian share market this Friday. After yesterday's depressing session, investors returned to trading this morning with a renewed sense of optimism, with ASX shares starting strong and staying in positive territory all day.
By the time the closing bell rang, the ASX 200 had added 0.64% to its total. That leaves the index at 8,716.6 points as we head into the weekend.
This happy ending for the local trading week came after a more nuanced morning up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) put on a decent show, rising 0.1%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't so lucky, dropping a hefty 1.25%.
But let's get back to the ASX now and take a closer look at how the various ASX sectors fared this Friday.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
There were only two corners of the market that missed out on a gain today.
The first, and worst, of those unlucky sectors was communications shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was left out today, falling 0.56%.
Mining stocks were also unlucky, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) sliding down 0.03%.
It was all smiles everywhere else, though. Leading the winners were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a veritable party, rocketing 2.23% higher.
Consumer discretionary stocks were right behind that, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 2.16% surge.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) soared up 1.88% this session.
Gold shares were in demand too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) galloping 1.87% higher.
Next came utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) added 1.75% to its total.
Consumer staples shares didn't miss out either, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 1.25% jump.
Healthcare stocks were in a similar boat. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was upgraded by 1.15%.
Next we had industrial shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) leaping 0.87%.
Financial stocks also had a day to remember. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) ended up lifting 0.49%.
Finally, energy shares recorded a win, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.22% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Topping the charts this session was financial services stock Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG). Generation Group shares roared 7.31% higher this session to close at $2.79.
There wasn't any news out from the company, but perhaps this was a rebound from recent lows.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) | $2.79 | 7.31% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $3.69 | 5.43% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $23.57 | 5.04% |
| Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) | $5.19 | 4.64% |
| Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) | $165.73 | 4.50% |
| Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) | $116.00 | 4.50% |
| Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) | $8.56 | 4.39% |
| WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) | $33.63 | 4.25% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $20.34 | 4.15% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $7.37 | 3.95% |
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.
