The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) spent a second consecutive day in the green on Wednesday. At the end of today's session, the index was 0.7% higher at 7,251.3 points.
So, what was its top performing sector? It was none other than the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ), lifting 2.1%. It follows on from the 4.3% plunge recorded by the sector on Monday.
The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) also put out a decent gain, rising 1.3% today on the back of a good night for oil prices.
The Brent crude oil price gained 3.4% to trade at US$80.68 a barrel overnight while the US Nymex crude oil price lifted 3% to US$75.39 a barrel.
Finally, the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) brought up the rear today, lifting just 0.1%.
But which ASX 200 share outperformed all its peers to post Wednesday's biggest gain? Keep reading to find out.
Image source: Getty Images
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
The index's best-performing stock today was St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM). And it might be one of the last times the gold miner is included on this list – it's set to be dumped from the ASX 200 next week.
The St Barbara share price soared 14% today amid news of its plan to merge with Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD).
Today's biggest gains were made by these shares:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| St Barbara Ltd (ASX: SBM) | $0.74 | 13.85% |
| Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) | $104.31 | 8.15% |
| Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN) | $6.31 | 6.41% |
| Novonix Ltd (ASX: NVX) | $1.93 | 6.04% |
| Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) | $9.24 | 5.72% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.155 | 5.48% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $1.03 | 4.57% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $6.93 | 4.21% |
| Silver Lake Resources Limited (ASX: SLR) | $1.27 | 4.1% |
| Regis Resources Limited (ASX: RRL) | $2.05 | 3.8% |
Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to let you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.
