It turned out to be a happy end to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Friday. After suffering from a midweek bout of the blues, the ASX 200 shook it all off during today's trading session.
The index ended up closing 0.17% higher by the closing bell, leaving it at 7,040.8 points.
This happy end to the trading week follows what was an equally positive night over on the US markets last night.
On Wall Street's Thursday session, the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) closed 0.53% higher. The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was close behind, bagging a rise of 0.46%.
But time to return tot eh ASX, so let's see how the different ASX sectors closed their respective weeks of trade.
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Winners and losers
The worst place to have been invested in today was in ASX tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a shocker, tanking by 1.71% by the close of business.
But that was definitely as bad as it got. The next worst performer was the communications sector. But the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) only suffered a fall of 0.51% by comparison.
Another sore spot on the ASX were consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) closed down 0.47% this Friday.
Gold shares weren't having a fun time of it either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) ended up retreating by 0.33%.
Healthcare shares round out the losers today. But the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lost less than one point, and thus its losses left the index essentially flat.
Turning to the winners, and it was utilities stocks that led the charge. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) had a cracking time today, shooting up by a robust 1.55%.
Energy was another space that was delighting investors. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) popped by a pleasing 1.27%.
The next cab off the rank was real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) rose by 0.58%.
Then we had consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) had a strong showing as well, lifting by 0.55%.
Moving on, financials shares came in next. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) ended up growing another 0.35%.
Finally, mining stocks wrangled out a green day too, if only just. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) inched higher by 0.04%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coal miner Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) was the best-performing stock on the index today. By the end of the day, Whitehaven shares had closed 3.41% higher at $7.28 each.
This comes after the company revealed that the Queensland government has recommended that one of its metallurgical coal projects proceed with conditions.
Here's a look at the other top stocks from today's trading:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $7.28 | 3.41% |
| Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL) | $2.13 | 2.9% |
| Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) | $8.56 | 2.76% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $1.035 | 2.48% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $1.695 | 2.42% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.61 | 2.22% |
| Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC) | $0.705 | 2.17% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $9.37 | 2.07% |
| Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) | $6.27 | 1.95% |
| Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) | $10.25 | 1.59% |
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.
