Here's how the ASX 200 market sectors stacked up last week

Consumer discretionary shares led the ASX 200 market sectors last week with a 3.81% gain.

A woman carries a stack of boxes along a street after a big day of shopping

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

ASX consumer discretionary shares led the ASX 200 market sectors last week with a 3.81% gain over the five trading days.

Meantime, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) swished 2.19% higher to finish the week at 7,959.3 points. The market benchmark hit a new record high during intraday trading on Friday at 7,969.1 points.

This followed positive inflation news out of the United States, which lifted hopes of interest rate cuts in the world's biggest economy soon.

Eight of the 11 market sectors finished the week in the green.

Let's review.

Consumer discretionary shares led the ASX sectors last week

Among the heavyweights of the ASX 200 consumer discretionary sector, Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX: WES) shares lifted a hefty 4.51% to finish the week at $68.57.

Shares in gaming technology company Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) rose by 3.85% to $52.92. The Lottery Corporation Ltd (ASX: TLC) share price rose 2.48% to $4.96.

There was no price-sensitive news out of these top three companies in the ASX 200 retail sector last week.

JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) shares smashed it despite news of a legal scuffle. The JB Hi-Fi share price rose 5.95% to finish on Friday at $66.11 per share.

Furniture retailer Harvey Norman Holdings Limited (ASX: HVN) shares lifted 4.09% to $4.45 apiece.

ASX 200 travel share Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) took off 3.1% and landed at $21.95 per share.

Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV), owner of Just Jeans and Smiggle, rose 3.74% to finish at $30.52 per share on Friday.

There was no further news last week on the proposal from Myer Holdings Ltd (ASX: MYR) to acquire Premier's Apparel Brands business in exchange for new Myer shares. It's a watch and wait for now.

Other consumer discretionary shares that performed well last week included Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) shares. The Lovisa share price rose by 5.36% to finish the week at $33.42.

Lovisa was the No. 1 ASX retail share for share price growth in FY24 with a 70.3% capital gain.

Last week, we discussed the fact that ASX retail shares rose by a healthy 19.29% in FY24 amid a serious cost of living crisis. That was more than twice the growth rate of the ASX 200 benchmark.

David Rumbens, a partner at Deloitte Access Economics, provided an answer on why this happened.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

S&P/ASX 200 market sectorChange last week
Consumer Discretionary (ASX: XDJ)3.81%
A-REIT (ASX: XPJ)3.27%
Communication (ASX: XTJ)2.94%
Financials (ASX: XFJ)2.76%
Healthcare (ASX: XHJ)2.32%
Industrials (ASX: XNJ)1.88%
Consumer Staples (ASX: XSJ)1.33%
Information Technology (ASX: XIJ)1.18%
Energy (ASX: XEJ)(0.4%)
Materials (ASX: XMJ)(0.57%)
Utilities (ASX: XUJ)(0.66%)

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in Harvey Norman. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Lottery, Lovisa, and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Harvey Norman and Wesfarmers. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Flight Centre Travel Group, Jb Hi-Fi, Lovisa, and Premier Investments. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Share Market News

Silhouettes of nine people climbing a steep mountain to the top at sunset, and helping each other along the way.
Share Gainers

Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

It was a pleasant Tuesday session for ASX investors today.

Read more »

A beautiful ocean vista is shown with a woman whose back is to the camera holding her arms up in triumph as she stands at the top of a rock feeling thrilled that ASX 200 shares are reaching multi-year high prices today
52-Week Highs

8 ASX 200 stocks striking multi-year highs today

These shares hit new price milestones amid a day in the green for the ASX 200.

Read more »

Falling yellow arrow with descending wooden bars with the percentage sign written on them.
Cash Rates

Reputable economist predicts big rate cuts to come. How low could the cash rate go?

The Reserve Bank cut interest rates by another 25-basis points this month, down to 3.85%.

Read more »

A happy male investor turns around on his chair to look at a friend while a laptop runs on his desk showing share price movements
Broker Notes

What is Morgans saying about TechnologyOne, Wesfarmers, and Xero shares?

Let's see what the broker is saying about these shares.

Read more »

A man looking at his laptop and thinking.
Broker Notes

Are WiseTech shares a buy after its big acquisition?

Let's see what analysts are saying about this tech stock.

Read more »

A man looks down with fright as he falls towards the ground.
Share Fallers

Why Aspen, Healius, Nufarm, and Propel shares are falling today

These shares are having a tough session on Tuesday. But why?

Read more »

Excited group of friends sitting on sofa watching sports on TV and celebrating.
Share Gainers

Why Boss Energy, Neuren, Strickland, and Vulcan shares are pushing higher today

These shares are having a better day than most today. But why?

Read more »

A female financial services professional with a manicured black afro hairstyle turns an ipad screen to show a client across the table a set of ASX shares figures in graph format.
Share Market News

Got some spare cash after your mortgage rate went down? Buy these 2 ASX stocks

Redeploying spare cash to ASX stocks can significantly boost wealth.

Read more »