It was a rather wild, but overall positive day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and most ASX shares this Thursday. After a shaky week, investors will welcome the index's strong showing.
After a rough start this morning, the ASX 200 finished up this afternoon with a gain of 0.39%, leaving the index at 7,763.7 points – around 5 points off of its all-time record high.
This pleasing showing from ASX shares follows a happy night up on the American markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) staged a slight recovery, clawing back 0.2% overnight.
The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better again, rising by a happy 0.58%.
Let's now return to the ASX though, and check out how the different ASX shares ASX sectors were moving today.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
There were far more winners than losers this Thursday, but let's get the latter out of the way first.
Today's worst-performing sector came in at energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had a pretty awful session, tanking by 1.15%.
The only other sector to record a loss was mining stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) barely dropped though, slipping by just 0.02%.
Turning now to the far more numerous winners, it was gold shares leading the pack today. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) again had a glorious day, and rose 1.81%, thanks no doubt to new all-time high gold prices.
Industrial shares also had a day to remember, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) surging 1.33%.
Following industrials we had tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) staged a 1.03% recovery this session.
ASX consumer staples shares were another bright spot, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.78% gain.
Their consumer discretionary counterparts were just behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) adding 0.76%.
Utility stocks were hot on the heels of that move, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) rising 0.72%.
Financial shares came next, as evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s lift of 0.62%.
Communications stocks proved to be our next winner. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) recorded a rise of 0.3%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also in demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) edging up 0.24%.
Finally, healthcare stocks were on the tail end of the winners. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) inched up by 0.16%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best stock amongst the upper echelons of the ASX was miner Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN). Chalice shares soared by 9.92% up to $1.33 a share.
However, that was despite no obvious catalyst, as my Fool colleague James looked into this afternoon.
Here's how the rest of today's winner list looks:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Chalice Mining Ltd (ASX: CHN) | $1.33 | 9.92% |
| Alumina Ltd (ASX: AWC) | $1.16 | 6.42% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $2.07 | 5.88% |
| ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) | $28.82 | 5.45% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $15.22 | 4.97% |
| Johns Lyng Group Ltd (ASX: JLG) | $6.60 | 4.60% |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $6.08 | 4.47% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.03 | 4.04% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.295 | 4.02% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $66.66 | 3.91% |
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.
