The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) seemed to turn a corner this Thursday, ending the brutal two-day losing streak that the Australian share market had been on this short trading week.
By the close of trading today, the ASX 200 had added a healthy 0.44%. That leaves the index at 7,749.7 points.
This much-needed recovery for the ASX comes after a decent session over on the US markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: DJI) had a stingy session, slipping by 0.091%.
However, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was in fine form, galloping 1.53% higher.
But time now to return to the ASX and have a gander at what the various ASX sectors were doing this Thursday.
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Winners and losers
It was almost all smiles on the stock market today, with only two sectors recording a red session.
The worst of those was the energy sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was left out in the cold, shedding 0.64% of its value.
Mining shares also had a rough time. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was sent down by 0.48% by the time trading wrapped up.
But all other sectors had a great time of it.
Most of all, tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was on fire, surging by 2.14%.
Healthcare shares were high in demand as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) soaring 1.6%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't too far off that. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sprinted 1.28% higher this Thursday.
Communications stocks performed similarly, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) banked a gain of 1.03%.
Consumer discretionary shares were running hot too, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.94% rise
Utilities stocks had a fantastic time of it as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) received a 0.66% upgrade from the markets.
The same could be said of industrial shares, going off the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.51% lift.
Financial stocks weren't left out. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) enjoyed a bounce worth 0.37%.
Gold shares recovered slightly from Tuesday's carnage, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) eking out a 0.34% improvement.
Finally, consumer staples stocks also counted themselves lucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) ended up inching 0.33% higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top stock was healthcare company Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN). Nanosonics shares were bid up by a compelling 4.56% today, up to $2.98 each.
That was despite no clear catalysts, news, or announcements from Nanosonics that might explain this move.
Here's how today's other winners pulled up:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Nanosonics Ltd (ASX: NAN) | $2.98 | 4.56% |
| Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) | $2.36 | 3.96% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $14.29 | 3.70% |
| NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) | $18.34 | 3.56% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $7.10 | 3.35% |
| Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) | $1.40 | 3.32% |
| James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) | $48.22 | 3.19% |
| REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) | $192.11 | 3.17% |
| National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR) | $2.30 | 3.14% |
| JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) | $62.69 | 3.02% |
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.
