This Monday saw ASX shares and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoy a strong start to the trading week.
After a robust run last week, the ASX 200 kept the party going today, with the index gaining 0.3% to finish the trading day at 7,578.4 points.
This strong start to this week's trading comes after a mixed conclusion to the American trading week last Friday (no Australia Day holiday for the Yanks).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a decent time of it, rising by 0.16%.
However, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) didn't quite rise to the occasion, falling by 0.36%.
But let's now return to the local markets, and check out how the various ASX sectors began this week's trading.
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Winners and losers
Coming in as the worst ASX sector today was the tech share space. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a horrid session, tanking by a meaty 1.17% by the closing bell.
The next loser was gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was also feeling the wrath of investors, shedding 0.43%.
Right on gold's tail were broader mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had a disappointing time of it too, shedding 0.41% of its value.
Communications stocks were on the nose as well, if only slightly. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) retreated by 0.01% over the course of the day.
But that's it for the down sectors. Turning to the ones that enjoyed a rise today, energy shares are first on the list. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had a cracking day, surging by a pleasing 1.83%.
As did real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was also in demand, vaulting 1.09% higher.
Financial stocks were another bright spot, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s gain of 0.7%.
The same could be said of utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was a crowd-pleaser with a lift of 0.53%.
Industrial stocks also had a happy day, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) adding 0.46% to its value.
Consumer staples stocks weren't far off that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) swelling by 0.36%.
Next to last, we had healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had a decent showing, growing by 0.12%.
Finally, consumer discretionary shares didn't miss out either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.09% inch higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
This Monday's leading share on the index came in as automotive parts company Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP). Bapcor shares had a fantastic day, shooting up 5.88% to $5.58 each.
As we went through this morning, this move comes after the company gave investors what was evidently a well-received trading update.
Here's how the rest of that table looks:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP) | $5.58 | 5.88% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.365 | 5.41% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $3.41 | 4.60% |
| Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC) | $1.165 | 4.02% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.955 | 3.80% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $7.73 | 3.76% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $9.78 | 3.71% |
| Smartgroup Corporation Ltd (ASX: SIQ) | $9.50 | 3.60% |
| James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) | $57.46 | 3.42% |
| Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) | $8.37 | 2.99% |
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.
