Although the ASX 200 did briefly dip into negative territory at one point this session, it ended up closing a comfortable 0.44% higher. That leaves the index at 8,845.7 points.

This happy start to the trading week for the Australian markets came after a far more negative conclusion to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a rough time, falling 0.34%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was much worse though, dropping 2.14%.

Let's get back to this week and our local markets now and take a closer look at what the various ASX sectors were up to today.

Winners and losers

Despite today's broader market optimism, there were still a few sectors that were left out.

Leading those losers were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was left out in the cold, tumbling 1.31%.

Gold shares were no safe haven either, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) diving 0.68%.

Consumer discretionary stocks were also unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw its value cut by 0.2%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also in that ballpark, as evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.19% dip.

Our final losers this Monday were consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) slid 0.08% lower.

Let's turn to the winners now. Leading said winners were energy stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) galloping 2.21% higher.

Financial shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) surged by 0.86% today.

Industrial stocks followed financials, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.83% jump.

Utilities shares did decently too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) closed up 0.38%.

Communications stocks didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting 0.21%.

Healthcare shares managed a rise. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) finished the day with an extra 0.14%.

Finally, mining stocks just got over the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.11% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Taking out the crown this Monday was waste management stock Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY). Cleanaway shares rocketed up 10.24% today to close at $2.97 each.

This followed the news that the company has entered into a takeover scheme with EQT Infrastructure.

Here's the rest of today's best:

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.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

In FY26, the ASX 200 materials sector, which is dominated by the miners, shot the lights out for investors.

The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared 47% and produced total returns, including dividends, of 52%. 

That compares to a 3% rise and total returns of 7% for the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO).

A staggering outperformance of 7:1.

The S&P/ASX 300 Metals & Mining Index (ASX: XMM), which includes an extra 100 mineral explorers, did even better.  

ASX 300 mining shares rose 53%, and delivered total returns of 59% in FY26.

These explosive returns followed staggering increases in many commodity prices.

Commodity price surge

In FY26, the best price growth among commodities relevant to Australian mining was lithium spodumene, soaring 278%.

Lithium is a key component in rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles (EVs), e-bikes, smartphones, and energy storage systems.

In CY25, silver experienced the best price growth, up 147%.

Silver is an industrial metal used in solar panels, EVs, tech devices, and data centres due to its superior conductivity to copper.

The long-term tailwinds of decarbonisation and the artificial intelligence (AI) build-out contributed to mining's outperformance in FY26.

The ongoing structural change in central banks purchasing gold to diversify their reserves away from US treasuries also played a role.

Experts say we're in a new mining boom that will be different to the 2000s because it will be led by critical minerals, not iron ore.

While these long-term tailwinds will remain for decades, that doesn't automatically translate to vertical commodity price growth.

This is made clear in the 5-year outlook for commodities just published by the Federal Department of Industry, Science, and Resources.

Commodity price predictions FY27

For the period FY26 to FY31, the government reckons FY27 is going to be the strongest year for many commodity prices.

According to the resources department's latest Resources and Energy Quarterly:

Commodity prices are expected to peak in 2026–27 and then drift lower.

This is important information for ASX investors because commodity prices directly impact miners' earnings, and thus, their share prices.

The report also looks at energy commodity prices.

In CY26, Brent crude oil, gas, and coal prices have surged due to the US-Iran conflict and Middle East supply disruptions.

This contributed to energy ranking second (behind materials) among the 11 ASX 200 market sectors for total returns in FY26.

The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) increased 9.37% and produced total returns of 14.51%.

The energy sector has the same forecasted commodity price trend.

For the period FY26 to FY31, the government expects four out of five energy commodity prices to peak in FY27.

This will have a direct impact on ASX energy shares.

Let's take a look at the forecasts.

Five-year outlook

The report outlines the Federal Government's predictions for average annual commodity prices in FY27 and FY31.

There is a realised nominal price for FY26, a forecast price for FY27, and a projected price for FY31.

As you'll see, over the next 5-year period, seven of the following 10 commodity prices are expected to peak in FY27.

Metals and minerals commodity prices

Iron ore price (62% fe)

FY26: US$92 per tonne

FY27: US$83 per tonne

FY31: US$72 per tonne

ASX iron ore mining shares: BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG), Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO)

Copper price

FY26: US$11,767 per tonne

FY27: US$13,754 per tonne

FY31: US$12,786 per tonne

ASX copper mining shares: Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), Capstone Copper Corp CDI (ASX: CSC)

Lithium price (6% spodumene concentrate)

FY26: US$1,532 per tonne

FY27: US$2,499 per tonne

FY31: US$1,684 per tonne

ASX lithium mining shares: PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS), Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR), Elevra Lithium Ltd (ASX: ELV)

Gold price

FY26: US$4,268 per ounce

FY27: US$4,534 per ounce

FY31: US$4,149 per ounce

ASX gold mining shares: Newmont CDI (ASX: NEM), Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6)

Nickel prices

FY26: US$16,348 per tonne

FY27: US$17,226 per tonne

FY31: US$18,473 per tonne

ASX nickel shares: IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO), Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC)

Energy commodity prices

Brent crude oil price

FY26: US$79 per barrel

FY27: US$87 per barrel

FY31: US$68 per barrel

ASX oil shares: Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD), Viva Energy Ltd (ASX: VEA)

LNG prices

FY26: A$13 per gigajoule

FY27: A$16 per gigajoule

FY31: A$11 per gigajoule

ASX energy shares: Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS), Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

Metallurgical coal price

FY26: US$213 per tonne

FY27: US$233 per tonne

FY31: US$225 per tonne

ASX met coal shares: Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC), BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP)

Thermal coal price

FY26: US$117 per tonne

FY27: US$128 per tonne

FY31: US$121 per tonne

ASX thermal coal producers: New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC), Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)

Uranium price

FY26: US$82 per pound

FY27: US$93 per pound

FY31: US$113 per pound

ASX uranium shares: Paladin Energy Ltd  (ASX: PDN), Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE), Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL)

The post Own ASX mining shares? Official forecasts show commodity prices peaking in FY27 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

By the time trading wrapped up, the index had fallen 0.64% and finished at 8,727.9 points.

This unhappy hump day for the local markets followed a similarly downbeat session over on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't quite hold on to an early lead, losing 0.35%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was a little better, but still lost 0.15%.

But let's return to ASX shares now and check out how the different ASX sectors handled today's tough trading conditions.

Winners and losers

There were only a handful of sectors that managed to make hay today.

But first, let's get through the red corners of the market.

Leading the losers were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had a shocker, crashing 1.93% lower.

Financial stocks weren't much chop either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) plunging 1.41%.

Mining shares also had a day to forget. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) took a 0.88% dive this session.

Industrial stocks couldn't escape the storm, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.71% slump.

Nor could consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) drifted 0.31% lower today.

Utilities stocks couldn't hold their ground, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) sliding 0.06% lower.

Our last losers this Wednesday were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slipped by 0.04%.

Let's turn to the winners now. Leading the charge were real estate investment trusts (REITs), illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 1% jump.

Communications stocks were also spared. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had lifted 0.85% by the closing bell.

Energy shares were another bulwark against the broader market, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) climbing 0.8%.

Tech stocks fared decently as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) enjoyed a 0.35% bump this hump day.

Finally, healthcare shares managed to finish over the line, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.02% uptick.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Our winner this Wednesday was shipbuilding stock Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB). Austal shares rocketed up 10.13% to close at $4.13 each today.

This big gain came after the company revealed another development in its long-running takeover saga.

Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:

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.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Yancoal Australia report?

• Completed acquisition of an 80% stake in the Kestrel Coal Mine, Queensland
• Upfront cash consideration of US$1.85 billion paid at completion
• Funded through available cash and a five-year US$1.2 billion syndicated loan facility
• Contingent cash consideration up to US$550 million subject to coal price benchmarks
• Yancoal to recognise production, revenue, and earnings from Kestrel from 1 October 2026

What else do investors need to know?

The Kestrel Coal Mine is a large-scale, long-life asset located in Queensland's Bowen Basin and is known for its premium metallurgical coal. This acquisition increases Yancoal's scale and product diversification, strengthening its footprint in the Australian coal industry.

Yancoal's liquidity remains well-supported, with a US$200 million working capital facility undrawn as of completion. The company plans to issue a detailed circular to shareholders by 23 November 2026, outlining further information and independent reports relating to the acquisition.

What did Yancoal Australia management say?

CEO Sharif Burra said:

The acquisition of an 80% interest in the Kestrel Coal Mine represents a strong strategic fit for Yancoal and adds a high-quality, long-life metallurgical coal asset to our portfolio. Kestrel delivers increased scale and diversification to Yancoal's portfolio; it adds a premium metallurgical coal to our product mix. The acquisition positions us to deliver greater value to our shareholders and consolidates Yancoal's position as a leading Australian coal miner. We have worked closely with EMR, Adaro and KCG management over the past months to facilitate integration of Kestrel into the Yancoal portfolio. We look forward to working closely with the committed Kestrel employees, and Mitsui, our joint venture partner and owner of 20% of Kestrel, to continue to add value to the mine, local communities and stakeholders.

What's next for Yancoal Australia?

Yancoal intends to integrate Kestrel's operations swiftly, focusing on maximising the value of its new, long-term metallurgical coal asset. The company's expanded scale and product mix are expected to support its ongoing commitment to delivering value for shareholders.

Looking ahead, Yancoal will be providing shareholders with detailed reports and updates on the full impact of the acquisition over the coming months. The extra scale positions Yancoal well to navigate market dynamics and strengthen its leadership in Australian coal production.

Yancoal Australia share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Yancoal shares have risen 14%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has declined 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Yancoal Australia share price in focus as Kestrel Coal Mine deal closes appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

What did Yancoal Australia report?

• NSW Independent Planning Commission approval for the HVO Continuation Project
• Project extends the Hunter Valley Operations mine life to the end of 2045
• HVO employs around 1,570 mine workers
• Six-year regulatory process included extensive community and stakeholder engagement
• Project aligned with State and Federal legislative and environmental standards

What else do investors need to know?

The State-level approval marks a significant step but isn't the final hurdle. Yancoal's Hunter Valley Operations still requires Federal environmental approval from the National EPA by the end of 2026.

Throughout the approval process, HVO worked closely with regulators, adapting its design to meet rigorous environmental and net-zero standards. The company acknowledges the ongoing support from its workforce, local suppliers, and the Hunter Valley community.

What did Yancoal Australia management say?

CEO of Yancoal Mr Sharif Burra said:

The HVO Continuation Project enjoyed support from the vast majority of submissions made during the IPC public hearing. Support was also voiced by local and State Government representatives. We are optimistic the final elements required can be secured, allowing HVO to operate the next 19 years to the benefit of our workforce, local business partners, regional community, shareholders, customers and the NSW economy.

What's next for Yancoal Australia?

Yancoal is now focusing on securing Federal environmental approval before the 31 December 2026 deadline. The company will continue working with the National EPA to finalise the necessary requirements.

Securing full approval would bring long-term operating certainty for the HVO mine and provide ongoing benefits for Yancoal's workforce, partners, and the wider Hunter Valley region.

Yancoal share price snapshot

Over the past 12 months, Yancoal shares have risen 13%, outperforming the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), which has declined 1% over the same period.

View Original Announcement

The post Yancoal shares in focus after Hunter Valley mine approval appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After ending last week on a somewhat sour note, investors came back from the weekend with a bit of a spring in their steps this morning. That enthusiasm faded somewhat over the day, but the ASX 200 still managed to close 0.056% higher. That leaves the index at 9,010.9 points.

This lukewarm start to the Australian trading week followed a far more downbeat end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a tough session, dropping 0.51%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared a little better, but still fell 0.29%.

But let's get back to this week and our local markets now for an examination of how the various ASX sectors performed this Monday.

Winners and losers

We had plenty of winners and losers today.

Leading the latter were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had an awful time of it today, plunging 2.6%.

Gold stocks were also out of favour, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanking 1.24%.

Utilities shares weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) sank 0.99% this Monday.

Healthcare stocks weren't riding to the rescue either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.81% dive.

Communications shares found themselves on the losing team as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was clipped by 0.76%.

We could say something similar for consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) drifting down 0.6%.

Its consumer discretionary counterpart was in a similar boat. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lost 0.46% this session.

Our last red sector was real estate investment trusts (REITs), as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.06% slip.

Turning to the green sectors now, it was energy stocks that shone the brightest. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) surged 1.78% higher this Monday.

Mining shares were in demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) enjoyed a 0.42% lift today.

Industrial stocks also fared well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) adding 0.2% to its total.

Finally, financial shares managed to close the day with a rise, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.15% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Property stock Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA) was our top stock this Monday. Ingenia shares rocketed 14.79% higher today and closed at $4.19 each. This sharp surge was sparked by a takeover offer from a private equity firm.

Here's the rest of today's best:

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.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

A group of 12 ASX-listed companies are trading ex-dividend today, which means their share prices will no longer include the value of their latest payout.

That alone is expected to have a decent impact on the broader market.

According to The Australian, the combined ex-dividend moves could shave around 31 points from the ASX 200.

With futures already pointing lower, that could make market open look a little heavier than usual.

Here's the shares investors will want to keep an eye on.

The ex-dividend moves to watch today

There are a few larger payouts sitting near the top of today's list.

Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) closed Tuesday at $19.64 and is trading ex-dividend for 63 cents per share. The payment is 60% franked and is due on 17 September.

Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) is not far behind. Its shares closed at $28.78 before going ex-dividend for a 59-cent fully-franked payout.

Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) and Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) also have decent-sized dividends dropping off today.

Origin's 30-cent fully-franked dividend comes off an $11.70 closing share price, while Seek's 25-cent fully-franked payment comes off a $14.32 close.

Furthermore, Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) closed at $176.04 and is trading without its 25.95-cent unfranked dividend.

More ASX shares joining the list

There are also several smaller payouts coming off the board as well.

Downer EDI Ltd (ASX: DOW) closed Tuesday at $6.55 and is trading ex-dividend for 16.3 cents per share. Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) closed at $5.84 and is going ex-dividend for 12.75 cents.

Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) is also on the list. The shares closed at $4.81 on Tuesday, with a 10.9-cent dividend going ex today.

Among the miners, Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) is trading ex-dividend for 7 cents per share, and Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) is doing the same for 6 cents.

PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) is trading ex-dividend for 5 cents, with Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) rounding out the group with a 1.2-cent payout.

All of the 7 dividends are fully franked.

Why today's moves could be misleading

Keep in mind, trading ex-dividend does not automatically mean a stock will fall on the day. There's still plenty happening in the broader market that can push shares either way.

Nonetheless, the ASX 200 futures are expected to open at a fall of around 0.9%.

The post Why these ASX shares are worth watching closely today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

As we previously reported, utilities shares paid a 5.98% dividend yield, energy paid 5.14%, and materials paid 4.63%.

Those yields were well above the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) average dividend yield for FY26 of 4.23%.

Energy and mining shares paid higher dividends in FY26 due to elevated earnings from stronger commodity prices.

Now remember, the dividends paid in the FY26 period mainly reflected final dividends for FY25 and interim dividends for FY26.

Over the next two months, the final dividends for FY26 are being paid following the end of the August reporting season today.

And we're seeing the same trend play out.

That is, big ASX resources shares are paying generous dividends again due to those strong commodity prices.

Take ASX 200 iron ore and copper miner, BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), for example.

BHP declared a final dividend for FY26 of US 99 cents, which is equivalent to A$1.40 on today's exchange rate.

That's 65% higher than the final BHP dividend for FY25 of 91.9 AU cents.

That's a major lift in income for BHP shares investors.

In order to receive a dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

If you want to snatch the next BHP dividend, you need to buy BHP shares before they go ex-dividend this Thursday.

BHP is among 11 big names in the high-paying utilities, mining, and energy sectors scheduled to go ex-dividend this week.

If you're chasing dividend income, here are the dates you need to know.

ASX shares going ex-dividend this week

View more ASX shares going ex-dividend this week.

The post Chasing dividends? 11 ASX shares in top-paying sectors going ex-dividend this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Hundreds of S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) companies have announced their next dividends this month.

We're helping you keep track of ex-dividend dates with an article every Friday.

Here are the ASX shares going ex-dividend next week.

We've listed the dividend amounts investors will receive and when they'll receive them.

In order to receive a dividend, you must own the ASX share before its ex-dividend date.

ASX shares with ex-dividend dates next week

The post 37 ASX shares going ex-dividend next week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) fell 0.28% to 8,772.3 points over the week.

Oil and gas prices surged last week as Iran-backed Houthi militants attacked two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea.

The Saudis have been piping oil across to the Red Sea port of Yanbu for export while the Strait of Hormuz is effectively shut down.

The Brent crude oil price increased 13% to US$99.80 per barrel on Friday.

The US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price rose 11.5% to US$91.25 per barrel.

UK and European gas prices rose 8% and German gas prices increased 13%.

On Friday, Trading Economics analysts said escalating tensions were raising fears of prolonged global energy supply disruptions.

The US launched a 13th straight day of strikes on Iran, with both sides ruling out near-term talks.

President Trump also threatened "major military punishment" against Iran and the Houthis over any further attacks on Red Sea shipping and said he was considering a "massive attack" on Iran.

Asian buyers have begun discussing rerouting Saudi crude shipments through the Suez Canal and around Africa.

Adding to supply constraints, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium suspended crude loadings at its Black Sea terminal after tanker attacks, disrupting around 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports.

Six of the 11 market sectors finished the week in the red.

Let's recap.

Energy shares led the market last week

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price rose 6.27% over the week to $32.37 on Friday.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price lifted 3.78% to $7.97.

The Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price rose 2.98% to $38.67.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price ascended 6.84% to $2.50.

The Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) share price rocketed 19.33% to $1.79.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares increased 2.84% to 91 cents apiece.

The Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) share price shot 14.96% higher to $9.68 on Friday.

The Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) share price rose 6.56% to $1.30.

The Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) share price jumped 12.87% to $6.05.

Whitehaven Ltd (ASX: WHC) shares rose 4.31% to $7.75.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

The post ASX 200 energy shares rise 6% as reignited US-Iran conflict continues appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Shares in the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) coal stock closed yesterday trading for $5.68. At the time of writing, shares are changing hands for $5.96 apiece, up 4.9%.

For some context, the ASX 200 is down 0.4% at this same time.

Yancoal shares have been strong performers in 2026, up 20.2% since market close on 31 December. That compares favourably to the more modest 0.5% gain posted by the ASX 200 over this same period.

And that's not including the 12.2 cents per share fully-franked dividend Yancoal paid eligible stockholders on 15 April.

The ASX 200 coal stock trades on a fully-franked trailing dividend yield of 3.1%.

But following these strong share price gains, is the coal miner still a buy today?

Yancoal shares: Buy, hold, or sell?

Investor Pulse's Mark Elzayed recently analysed the outlook for the resurgent coal miner (courtesy of The Bull).

"Yancoal is balancing strong fundamentals against a near term overhang," he said.

Elzayed elaborated:

In April, YAL announced it would acquire 80% of the Kestrel metallurgical coal mine in the Bowen Basin for US$2.4 billion. The acquisition is accretive over the long term, but adds leverage.

Summarising his hold recommendation on Yancoal shares, Elzayed concluded:

Diesel cost inflation threatens to push 2026 unit costs toward the top end of its guidance range. Consensus targets of about $7.02 on July 15 imply upside, but integration and coal price risks argue for holding the stock rather than adding.

What's the latest from the ASX 200 coal stock?

Yancoal reported its second-quarter (Q2 2026) results after market close on Monday.

Highlights for the three months to 30 June included a 20% quarter on quarter lift in attributable saleable coal production to 10.8 million tonnes. That presents a new quarterly production record.

The Yancoal share price also looks to be getting a lift today, with the company reporting that the average prices it received for most of its seaborne thermal coal increased by 14% to 19% over the quarter.

As for the rising diesel costs that Elzayed mentioned above, Yancoal noted:

While diesel price pressure has eased compared to early 2Q, some price uncertainty remains. We are still incurring higher prices, but the outlook for the overall impact on our 2026 operating costs has moderated.

Commenting on the company's recent US$2.4 billion acquisition, Yancoal CEO Sharif Burra said:

In April, we announced the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Kestrel Coal Mine. Adding a large, long-life asset that produces hard-coking coal at strong margins is a compelling step forward in Yancoal's growth strategy.

The post Up 20%, are Yancoal shares still a good buy right now? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This rather indecisive session for the Australian markets came after an even nastier end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had another tough session, dropping 0.77%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, falling a horrid 1.4%.

But let's get back to this week and our local markets, and take a closer look at what was happening across the different ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Tech shares were the sector that was singled out for punishment this Monday. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was slammed, tumbling 1.54%.

Utilities stocks fared better, but the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) still tanked by 0.63%.

Healthcare shares were in a similar boat. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw its value dive 0.49% today.

Mining stocks weren't popular either, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.34% dip.

Gold stocks were also no safe haven. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) ended up sinking 0.23%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) followed right behind gold, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) dipping 0.17%.

Our last losers this Monday were financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slipped 0.07% by the closing bell.

Let's turn to the winning sectors now. Leading the charge were energy stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 1.8% surge.

Consumer staples stocks also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) roared 0.43% higher this session.

Communications shares saw high demand too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting 0.39%.

Industrial stocks came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) advanced 0.16% today.

Finally, consumer discretionary shares got themselves over the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.11% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today's winner was healthcare share 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX). 4DMedical shares soared 7.19% higher this session to close at $3.43 each. This may have been a reaction to last week's announcement.

Here's the rest of today's best: 

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.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The fastest rising ASX 200 shares today are 4D Medical Ltd (ASX: 4DX), up 10%, and Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL), up 7.3%.

Among the biggest fallers are Alcoa Corporation CDI (ASX: AAI), down 3.8%, and Pexa Group Ltd (ASX: PXA), down 3.6%.

Let's check out 3 shares with new ratings from the experts today (courtesy The Bull). 

SKS Technologies Group Ltd (ASX: SKS)

The SKS Technologies share price is $7.95, down 5% today but up 250% over 12 months.

Mark Elzayed from Investor Pulse has a buy rating on this ASX 200 industrials share. 

He said: 

SKS specialises in electrical technologies and digital infrastructure. It offers services across audio visual, communications and electrical solutions in Australia.

In our view, it's a compelling buy in response to Australia's data centre electrification boom.

Sales revenue rose 13.6 per cent in the first half of 2026 when compared to the prior corresponding period, while profit before tax increased 52.8 per cent. EBITDA was up 42.9 per cent.

The company is forecasting full year revenue of $340 million in full year 2026 at a profit before tax margin of 10 per cent.

The forecast is underpinned by a robust order book and the Delta Elcom acquisition expanding its Sydney data centre footprint and representing a significant percentage of the domestic market.

Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)

The Yancoal share price is $5.69, up 6.1% today and down 6.5% over 12 months.

The coal producer is the third fastest-rising share of the ASX 200 today.

Elzayed has a hold rating on this ASX 200 energy share. 

He explained:  

Yancoal is balancing strong fundamentals against a near term overhang.

In April, YAL announced it would acquire 80 per cent of the Kestrel metallurgical coal mine in the Bowen Basin for $US2.4 billion. The acquisition is accretive over the long term, but adds leverage.

Diesel cost inflation threatens to push 2026 unit costs toward the top end of its guidance range.

Consensus targets of about $7.02 on July 15 imply upside, but integration and coal price risks argue for holding the stock rather than adding.

Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) 

The Wesfarmers share price is $92.64, down 0.2% today and up 10.6% over 12 months.

Tony Locantro from Alto Capital has a sell rating on the ASX 200's largest consumer discretionary share.

He said:

The company delivered a strong first half result in full year 2026, reporting net profit after tax of $1.603 billion, up 9.3 per cent, reflecting continued earnings growth across its retail portfolio amid disciplined operational execution.

Despite these strong fundamentals, much of the company's quality and long term growth outlook appear fully reflected in its premium valuation.

While Wesfarmers remains an outstanding long term business, future upside may be constrained by elevated market expectations.

Given the strong share price performance and demanding valuation, the current risk-reward balance supports taking profits at current levels.

The post Buy, hold, sell: SKS Technologies, Yancoal, Wesfarmers shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The ASX 200 didn't record a gain for the day, though. It didn't record a loss either. Instead, it ended the day exactly where it started. Yep, the index was completely flat this Tuesday, moving precisely 0.00% and finishing at 8,808.5 points, where it was 24 hours ago. A rare occurrence indeed.

This fascinating result for the local markets followed a decisively negative night to kick off the American trading week on Wall Street, though.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn't in a good mood, dropping 0.26%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, falling 1.55%

But let's return to ASX shares now and take stock of how the different ASX sectors navigated this Tuesday's tepid trading conditions.

Winners and losers

As you may expect, we had a fairly even break between winners and losers this session.

Leading the latter were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was hit hard today, tumbling 1.64%.

Consumer staples shares didn't hold their value either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) tanking 0.81%.

Financial stocks also had a rough time. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) retreated 0.54%.

Industrial shares were on the nose too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.47% slide.

That's it for the red sectors though, so let's get to the winners. Leading said winners were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) rocketed 1.98% this Tuesday.

Utilities shares were in demand as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soaring 1.37%.

Mining stocks ran hot, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surged 0.67% by the closing bell.

Healthcare shares were right behind that, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.66% jump.

Gold stocks were also in that ballpark. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) leapt 0.62% higher this session.

Consumer discretionary shares came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) advancing 0.39%.

Communications stocks got out ahead as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifted 0.21% today.

Finally, tech shares were lucky to come out intact, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.07% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Gaming technology company Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) took out this Tuesday's top spot. Light & Wonder shares vaulted 7.98% higher today to finish at $111.60 each. We dove into this jump earlier today.

Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb: 

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.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

The US hit Iran following its attacks on vessels in the key global oil and gas shipping channel, the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran launched retaliatory strikes on US bases across the region.

The new strikes created uncertainty in global markets, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) falling 0.43% to 8,806 points last week.

Energy shares followed oil and gas prices higher.

The Brent crude oil price increased 5.7% over the week to US$76.01 per barrel on Friday.

The US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) oil price lifted 4.6% to US$71.89 per barrel.

US heating oil rose 8.3% over the week.

UK gas prices rose 13%, German gas lifted 11.8%, and European gas increased 8.7%.

On Friday, Trading Economics analysts said:

Shipping traffic through Hormuz slowed sharply this week, with markets closely monitoring whether transit activity will normalize.

The strategic waterway continues to be a key sticking point in ongoing US-Iran negotiations.

Five of the 11 market sectors finished the week in the red.

Let's review.

Energy shares rise as US-Iran attacks resume

The Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) share price rose 4.23% over the week to $29.05 on Friday.

The Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) share price lifted 7.32% to $7.62.

The Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) share price rose 4.13% to $35.28.

The Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) share price ascended 5.14% to $2.25 at Friday's close.

The Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) share price finished 1.07% higher at $1.42.

Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) shares lifted 4.17% to 88 cents apiece.

The ASX 200's largest uranium share, Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN), rose 0.8% to $10.06 on Friday.

The Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) share price rose 6.3% to $1.35.

The Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) share price fell 2.36% to $1.45.

The market's largest ASX 200 coal share, Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) fell 2.16% to $5.44.

The Whitehaven Ltd (ASX: WHC) share price lost 2.24% to finish the week at $7.42.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

The post ASX 200 energy shares rebound after US-Iran peace deal falls apart appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

This tough hump day for ASX investors followed a similarly bearish session on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) did start well, but quickly lost all momentum to finish down 0.25%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, dropping 1.16%.

But let's get back to the Australian bourse now and dive a little deeper into what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's loss, we still had a few corners of the market that managed to prosper today.

But first, it was again gold shares that copped it hardest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had another bruising session, cratering by 2.36%.

Communications stocks were hit hard as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) plunging 2.1%.

Mining shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) took a 2% dive this Wednesday.

Tech stocks were in the firing line too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 1.87% tumble.

Industrial shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its value cut by 0.52%.

Healthcare stocks were our last losers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sliding down 0.32%.

Turning to the green sectors, it was energy shares that topped the tables. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) vaulted 3.25% higher this hump day.

Utilities stocks also had a day to remember, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.22% spike.

Consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) surged up 1.04% this session.

Financial stocks attracted attention as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) leaping up 0.65%.

Next came real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) advanced 0.52% today.

Finally, consumer discretionary shares stayed out of trouble, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.4% jump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

This Wednesday's winning stock was energy share Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR). Karoon shares roared 6.64% higher this session to finish at $1.45 each. There wasn't any news out from the company today, but most energy shares did very well.

Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock: 

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.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Not only does your super help to build wealth for later on in life, but it also comes with the added bonus of low tax rates and the benefit of long-term compounding.

But how much do you actually need to be able to get the passive income you want when you transition to your pension phase?

Let's investigate using a $6,000-per-month passive income as a guide.

How much do I need in superannuation to get $6,000 of monthly passive income?

If you want to earn $6,000 in passive income every month from your superannuation, that equates to $72,000 per year in dividend payments.

In order to work out what superannuation balance you'd need to get that level of income, simply divide your annual passive income by the dividend yield.

The tricky part of the calculation is that the answer varies widely depending on the dividend yield of your portfolio. 

For example, a portfolio with a dividend yield of around 6% only needs to be half the size of one with a dividend yield of around 3% to generate the same level of passive income. 

How much do I need if my portfolio yields 3% to 7%?

If your overall portfolio has a dividend yield of around 3%, you'll need a balance of around $2.4 million to earn $72,000 per year in passive income.

A $2.4 million portfolio isn't achievable for many Australian investors, but the good news is that, as the dividend yield of your portfolio increases, the superannuation balance needed to earn the same passive income goes down.

Say the yield of your portfolio is around 4% or 5%, for example, your balance would need to be closer to $1.8 million or $1.44 million to earn the same dividend income. Again, these are huge numbers for a superannuation portfolio, but if you raise the yield a little higher, it's even more achievable.

A superannuation investment portfolio yielding around 6% would need to be around $1.2 million in order to earn $72,000 per year in dividend payments.

Meanwhile, a 7% dividend yield would need closer to $1 million to earn the same amount in passive income. 

Note, though, that while it's tempting to build a portfolio with a lower amount and a high yield, it can be risky from an investment perspective. Generally, the higher the yield, the higher the risk associated with that ASX stock. Instead, you should concentrate on good-quality stocks that are proven to stand the test of time.

Ok, so what ASX shares can I buy around these dividend yields?

There is a huge range of shares available, but here are some of my favourites.

Lower-yielding ASX dividend-paying shares such as Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES), Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN), and Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) are solid and reliable shares that offer a yield of around 2% to 3%.

For a mid-range yielding ASX dividend option, I'd look at defensive assets like Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS). Qantas Ltd (ASX: QAN) is a good option if you want travel exposure. Meanwhile, Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) and blue-chip majors like BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) pay a decent dividend of around 3% to 4%.

For a higher 5% to 6% dividend yield, I'd look at reliable payers like APA Group (ASX: APA) or Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG).

If you want to take on more risk and go for a much higher-yielding ASX stock, my picks would be something like IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) or the BetaShares Australian Top 20 Equities Yield Maximiser Complex ETF (ASX: YMAX). These typically yield around 9% or more.

The post How much do I need in my superannuation to get $6,000 per month in passive income? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Despite the hold, the cash rate target remains at its equal highest level since 2011. 

Yesterday investors were quick to buy ASX 200 stocks right after the decision, before cooling off in the afternoon. 

How does the cash rate impact investors?

In a statement from the RBA yesterday, the central bank said it held rates at 4.35% because, after three consecutive hikes, financial conditions have tightened and the economy is showing signs of slowing. 

Essentially, the board wants to wait and see how much work those previous rises are doing before acting again. 

Inflation remains too high due to both domestic capacity pressures and Middle East oil supply disruptions, and the board has left the door firmly open to further hikes if needed.

For investors, today's hold at 4.35% is less a victory lap and more a pit stop. 

The RBA's decision was unanimous, with the board noting that following three consecutive rate hikes since the start of the year, financial conditions are now tighter and there are signs the economy is slowing as expected – exactly what they were gunning for.

Where to invest in high interest rate environments?

The board made clear that inflation is still too high and that it judged leaving the cash rate unchanged appropriate while it assesses the response to previous hikes and the ongoing impact of the oil supply disruption.

In other words, the RBA isn't done – it's watching. 

For ASX investors, that means the rate-sensitive sectors like REITs, utilities, and consumer discretionary stocks remain in the pressure cooker for now. 

The silver lining? Mortgage demand has already plummeted, dropping 6.6% year-on-year in May, suggesting the hikes are doing their job and that if inflation keeps cooling, the next move from the RBA could eventually be a cut, not another hike. 

The investors who position themselves in quality companies now, before rate relief arrives, are the ones history tends to reward. 

Stocks generating positive outlooks from experts 

For those looking to position themselves targeting quality companies, there are several generating positive outlooks right now. 

In the energy sector, brokers continue to tip further upside for Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL). 

The coal miner is up 21% year to date however has targets indicating as much as 130% upside in the next 12 months. 

After facing several headwinds in 2026, experts now see a long-term recovery for Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN). 

Brokers are tipping a 30% rebound from current levels. 

Moving to bank shares, Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) remains the high upside choice of many experts. 

It has been tipped to rise roughly 40% in the next 12 months. 

The post RBA keeps cash rate at 4.35% – What does it mean for investors? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

But here are six ASX 200 shares that could turn the index around over the next 12 months. And they're all rated a strong buy by brokers, with upsides of up to 227% ahead.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) 

Goodman shares are up around 0.5% to $32.22 at the time of writing on Tuesday. The company owns strategic industrial land in major cities and has been shifting more of its development pipeline toward data centre projects. Despite concerns about property valuations and global growth, Goodman recently confirmed its FY26 guidance. It is targeting at least 9% earnings per security (EPS) growth. The combination has helped drive market interest. TradingView data shows the majority of brokers have a strong buy rating on the ASX 200 shares. They tip a 24% upside to a maximum $40 target price over the next 12 months.

Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL)

Aristocrat shares are down around 1.7% at the time of writing on Tuesday, at $52.19 a piece. The company has gained a dominant share of the gaming industry and posted a positive first-half result last month. It posted a 6.4% increase in normalised revenue in constant currency, a 14% increase in normalised EBITA in constant currency, and increased its on-market share buyback program by $1 billion. Brokers are incredibly bullish that its share price can keep going higher over the next 12 months. The majority have a strong buy rating on the ASX 200 shares and tip a potential 33% upside to a maximum target price of $69.40 at the time of writing.

Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)

Yancoal shares are flat at the time of writing and trading for $6.07 a piece. The ASX 200 coal stock has outperformed this year, driven by higher-than-expected production figures and demand for metallurgical coal, which is used in steel production. Brokers think the coal miner's shares can fly even higher in the next 12 months. Again, the majority have a strong buy rating, and they forecast a maximum price target of $14.16, which implies a potential 133% upside ahead.

Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)

Evolution shares are up around 1.5% in Tuesday's trade, to $13.10 a piece. The ASX 200 gold miner's shares have enjoyed a rebound in the price of gold recently, as expectations that a US-Iran peace agreement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz eased fears of an energy-driven inflation shock. Evolution recently highlighted solid growth in both gold and copper reserves, along with encouraging exploration results. Brokers tip a maximum target price of $19.55 over the next 12 months. This implies a potential 48% upside at the time of writing.

Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN)

Qantas shares are slightly higher in Tuesday's trade, up around 0.2% to $9.96 a piece. The ASX 200 airline's shares were smashed lower earlier this year but have staged an impressive comeback over the past month, on the back of stronger-than-expected travel demand and a weakening oil price, thanks to news of a potential US-Iran peace deal. Brokers tip a maximum $12.80 target price. This implies a potential upside of up to 29% at the time of writing.

Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) 

Xero shares are down around 1.5% at the time of writing to $72.35 each. It's been a difficult year for the ASX 200 tech stock after a sector-wide sell-off saw its share price plunge. But the company benefits from an incredibly sticky subscription base and high customer retention rates. This means its revenue is relatively predictable. As a relatively small market player, it also has a lot of growth potential. Most analysts have a strong buy rating on the shares. They tip an upside of up to 227% to a maximum target price of $237.40. 

The post Brokers rate these 6 ASX 200 shares a strong buy, and tip upsides of up to 227% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

After starting sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the day recovering and broke into positive territory for a brief moment this afternoon. But it was not to last, and the index ended up closing 0.23% lower at 8,633.2 points.

This tantalising day for ASX investors followed a much rougher night on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was smashed, dropping a nasty 1.87%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was hit even harder, falling 1.98%.

But let's get back to ASX shares now and take a look at what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.