It was an uplifting end to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Friday, giving investors a nice sendoff to the weekend after a rough start to this week's trading.
By the closing bell, the ASX 200 had lifted 0.74% today, leaving the index at 8,285.2 points.
This encouraging conclusion to the Australian trading week follows a rough night up on Wall Street in the early hours of this morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a tough session, dropping 0.47%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even worse, falling 0.64%.
But let's get back to the local markets now and take a look at what the different ASX sectors were up to this Friday.
Winners and losers
It was almost all smiles on the ASX boards this session, with only one sector losing steam.
Ironically, that sector was healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was left out in the cold today, cratering by a nasty 1.76%.
But it was all gravy everywhere else.
Leading today's winners were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was on fire this Friday, and rocketed up 2.39%.
Gold shares had a great day, too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring 1.58%.
Financial shares were also in fine form, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 1.46% surge.
Industrial stocks were in demand as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) managed a 1.24% lift.
Communications shares came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) adding a flat 1.00% to its total.
Tech stocks were turning heads as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) galloped 0.94% higher today.
Energy shares were also running hot, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.77% increase.
Consumer discretionary stocks fared similarly. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) rose by 0.73%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't miss out either, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) bouncing 0.55% higher.
Consumer staples shares put on a decent performance, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) rose by 0.46%.
Finally, ASX mining stocks eked out a win, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.45% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
ASX gold stock Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) was today's winner on the index. Capricorn stock shot up 5.04% to finish at $6.25 a share this Friday.
This gain followed the company's releasing a notice informing investors that its gold reserves were higher than previously expected.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $6.25 | 5.04% |
| Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) | $1.20 | 4.82% |
| Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL) | $3.29 | 4.78% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.33 | 4.76% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.45 | 4.71% |
| De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) | $1.40 | 4.10% |
| Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) | $29.61 | 4.04% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $2.49 | 3.75% |
| Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF) | $4.02 | 3.61% |
| Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) | $8.89 | 3.61% |
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.
