The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a very happy hump day indeed this Wednesday, with many ASX shares pushing decisively higher.
By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had added another 0.31%, making it three for three green days so far this week. This latest rise puts the index at 7,850.7 points.
This Wednesday's positive performance follows a strong night over on Wall Street last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a cracker, shooting up 1.04%.
The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, rocketing a happy 2.43%.
But let's return to the ASX and take a look at what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.
Winners and losers
As we saw yesterday, there were a lot more winners than losers this session
But losers there still were, and none more so than mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was left out in the cold today, sliding 1.87%.
The other red sector was energy stocks, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.03% loss.
It was all grins for the rest of the market though.
In the vanguard were healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had a blast, soaring 1.68%.
Tech stocks were right behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) rocketing 1.59%.
Then we had real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) surged up 1.56%.
ASX consumer discretionary shares had a ball too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) galloping 1.92% upward.
Industrial stocks were lighting up the boards as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) lifted 0.99%.
Utilities shares were right on that tail, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) rising 0.94%.
Consumer staples stocks also proved to be winners. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) bounced 0.73% higher.
Another bright spot was gold shares, illustrated by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.58% uptick.
Then we had communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) managed a 0.52% increase.
Our final winners were financial shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) swelling 0.48%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Energy stock Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX) took out today's top spot. Strike shares soared by a whopping 8.82% up to 18.5 cents each.
That was despite no major news out from the company today.
Here's a look at the rest of today's best shares on the index:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX) | $0.185 | 8.82% |
| Pro Medicus Limited (ASX: PME) | $141.00 | 7.15% |
| Seven Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: SVW) | $39.19 | 6.76% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $4.06 | 6.56% |
| Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) | $2.39 | 5.29% |
| Amotiv Ltd (ASX: AOV) | $10.59 | 4.13% |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $3.03 | 4.12% |
| HUB24 (ASX: HUB) | $48.90 | 3.93% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $34.62 | 3.71% |
| REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) | $209.93 | 3.52% |
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.
