Finally, a green day for ASX shares. After another brutal week for the share market, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gave investors something to be thankful for this Friday.
Following what has been a nasty week, today's session was a big reprieve for investors, with ASX 200 gaining a decent 0.21%. That leaves the index at 6,826.9 points as we go into the weekend.
Today's happy turn comes after a rough night on the American markets last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had another volatile session, but ended up closing down 0.76%. It was relative carnage over on the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) though, with this index tanking another 1.76%.
Returning to the local markets now, let's see how the different ASX sectors ended the trading week today.
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Winners and losers
Leading the losers on the markets today was, unsurprisingly, the tech sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) fared better than the Nasdaq, but still shed 0.8% by market close.
ASX industrials stocks were next. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was another red corner of the market, dropping 0.64%.
Communications shares were another sore point. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) ended up retreating 0.46%.
It wasn't much better for healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lost 0.26% by close of trading.
Consumer discretionary stocks had a bad Friday too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s fall of 0.12%.
But that was our final red sector of the session.
Turning to the green ones today, and it was gold stocks that shone the brightest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) surged by 1.53% in a big win for precious metal fans.
Hot on gold's heels was the consumer staples sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was in demand as well, rising by 1.33%.
That was followed by ASX utilities shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) shooting up 0.91%.
Energy was another winner, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s nice rise of 0.69%.
Mining shares built on yesterday's gains as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) enjoyed a gain of 0.64%.
Financials shares were also making investors happy. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) ended up banking a gain of 0.17%.
Finally, real estate investment trusts (REITs) had a good, if not great, day. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) inched 0.07% higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Taking out the top spot on the index today was gold miner Silver Lake Resources Ltd (ASX: SLR).
Silver Lake shares soared 7.69% to $1.05 a share, possibly thanks to some love from an ASX broker.
Here's a look at the rest of today's ASX stars:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Silver Lake Resources Ltd (ASX: SLR) | $1.05 | 7.69% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $6.94 | 6.93% |
| Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC) | $0.81 | 5.19% |
| Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN) | $3.72 | 4.79% |
| Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) | $1.765 | 3.82% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.46 | 3.55% |
| Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) | $5.02 | 3.51% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $0.74 | 3.50% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.78 | 3.31% |
| Iluka Resources Limited (ASX: ILU) | $7.44 | 3.19% |
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.
