It was a great start to the trading week this Monday for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). After a great week last week, the ASX 200 kept the train rolling down the track today.
By the end of the session, the index had put on another 0.28% to finish up at 6,997.4 points.
This encouraging start comes after a bullish end to last week's trading over in the United States last Friday night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a strong session, rising by 0.66%. The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even better, shooting up a solid 1.38%.
But back to the ASX's Monday now. So let's dig into today's gains with a look at how the different ASX sectors started the week.
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Winners and losers
Despite today's positive start, we still had a handful of sectors that went backwards.
Chief amongst those were ASX energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was a major party pooper, dropping by a hefty 0.97%.
Industrials were another sore spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) retreated by 0.16%.
Communications shares also proved to be a drag, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) losing 0.1% of its value.
But that was it for the red sectors. Turning to the winners, it was the gold space that was the best place to be today. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rocketed a pleasing 2.96% higher by the close of trading.
Healthcare stocks were also making investors happy. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) powered ahead with a rise of 1.47%.
Consumer discretionary stocks had a great session as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) vaulted up 0.62%.
Financials shares had a decent showing. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) closed 0.42% up.
Tech stocks had a milder time of it though. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) managed to bank a 0.15% increase.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) came in just behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) advancing 0.12%.
Mining shares were next. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) enjoyed a tentative gain of 0.11%.
Our final winner today was the consumer staples sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) inched 0.06% higher by market close.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming in at the top of today's pole was financial software provider IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE).
Iress shares soared a happy 8.25% to $5.64 each, despite no obvious catalyst for this hefty move higher.
Here's a look at the rest of today's winning stocks:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE) | $5.64 | 8.25% |
| De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) | $1.23 | 7.42% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $19.43 | 5.14% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $3.69 | 5.13% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.43 | 4.76% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $1.77 | 4.73% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $1.51 | 4.5% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $4.79 | 4.36% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $12.78 | 4.33% |
| Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) | $11.51 | 4.26% |
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.
