The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a euphoric end to the trading week this Friday, with ASX investors appearing to put the fear that permeated the markets at the start of the week behind them.
After slipping Thursday, the ASX 200 more than made up for that on Friday, surging a whopping 1.25%. That leaves the index at a numerically pleasing 7,777.7 points as we head into the weekend.
This jubilant performance from the Australian markets today follows a strong night up on the American markets during last night's trading session.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a cracker last night, shooting up 1.76%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) topped that performance though, with a stunning 2.87% surge.
But let's get back to the local markets now and check out how the different ASX sectors handled today's good market mood.
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Winners and losers
It was all smiles on the ASX today, with every corner of the market moving higher.
The worst place to be was in consumer discretionary shares, though. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) was a laggard, inching up by just 0.08%.
Its consumer staples counterpart was a lot hotter with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) jumping 0.5%.
Utilities stocks did even more nicely. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lept up 0.69%.
Financial shares were also in demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) rising 0.77%.
Healthcare stocks had a ball as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) shot 1.03% higher.
Industrial shares bested that performance, though, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.37% hike.
Energy stocks had a blast this Friday. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) vaulted 1.66% upwards.
Communications shares joined the party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) galloping up 1.83%.
Mining stocks dramatically reversed earlier losses as well, with The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) swelling 1.86%.
ASX real estate investment trusts (REITs) shot the light out today, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) soaring 2.56%.
Gold shares stunned investors, though. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) surged 2.63%.
But leading the markets were tech stocks, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) rocking 3.08%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Beating off stiff competition, tech stock Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) claimed today's index crown. Life360 stock surged by a huge 18.09% to $17.56 after hitting a new record high earlier in the day.
This surge in value came after Life360 reported its latest quarterly numbers, which obviously delighted investors.
Here are the rest of today's best shares:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $17.56 | 18.09% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $14.65 | 7.88% |
| News Corporation (ASX: NWS) | $44.54 | 7.64% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.33 | 6.83% |
| REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) | $202.36 | 6.78% |
| Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) | $93.10 | 5.68% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $3.55 | 5.03% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.705 | 4.92% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $46.33 | 4.70% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $0.975 | 4.28% |
Enjoy the weekend!
Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.
