It was a very happy end to the trading week this Friday for ASX shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) started off with a bang this morning, and finished 0.3% higher by the closing bell.
That leaves the ASX 200 at a tantalising 8,099.9 points as we head into the weekend.
This successful conclusion to the Australian trading week comes after a strong night up on the American markets last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) enjoyed a strong 0.58% bounce.
The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) almost doubled that, surging by a flat 1%.
Let's get back to ASX shares now, though, and check out what was going on with the different ASX sectors this Friday.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
Despite today's strong gain, we still had some sectors that went backwards.
Leading those losers were financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had a sour day, retreating 0.61%.
Communications stocks were also on the wrong side of the aisle, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) shedding 0.56%.
Tech shares were left out in the cold as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was walked back 0.49%.
Utilities stocks also had a day to forget, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.38% slide.
Healthcare shares were also losers. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) slipped down 0.24% today.
Consumer discretionary stocks round out the red sectors, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) dropping 0.05%.
Turning now to the winners, it was gold stocks that won the gold medal. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) roared a whopping 5.22% higher this session.
Broader mining shares had a great time as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soaring 2.25%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) came next. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) leapt 1.07%.
Energy stocks joined the party, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.84% gallop higher.
Industrial shares put on a strong showing, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) rose 0.63%.
Finally, ASX consumer staples stocks once again eked out a win. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) inched 0.04% higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winner was gold miner Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU). Perseus shares rocketed a huge 10.21% today to finish at $2.59 each.
As we covered this afternoon (and as you can see below), it was a stunning session for gold miners all around, thanks to fresh new all-time highs for the precious metal overnight.
Here's a look at the rest of today's best shares:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $2.59 | 10.21% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.525 | 10.11% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $6.25 | 9.84% |
| Red 5 Ltd (ASX: RED) | $0.33 | 8.20% |
| Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX) | $0.20 | 8.11% |
| De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) | $1.23 | 7.42% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $4.32 | 6.93% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $1.915 | 6.69% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.28 | 6.54% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.65 | 5.77% |
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.
