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.
Image source: Getty Images
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.
