After yesterday's hiccup, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was back in form this Thursday, notching up a small win and pushing higher.
By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had added a tentative 0.15%, pushing the index up to close at 8,474.9 points.
This solid day of trading for the Australian market follows a bullish Wednesday session for Wall Street this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) recovered from early-week losses to push 0.69% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was far more euphoric though, shooting up 1.3%.
But time now to return to the ASX for a look at how the different ASX sectors fared amid today's favourable trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's gains, we still had a few sectors that missed out.
Leading those losers were again real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) had another horrid session, cratering by 1.34%.
Energy stocks also had a shocker, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) tanking 0.95%.
Utilities shares had a rough day, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) dropped by a tamer 0.27%, though.
Healthcare stocks found themselves on the wrong side of the bed as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.21% dip.
Our final losers today were ASX mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had slid down 0.16% by the market close.
Turning to the green ssctors now, and gold stocks led the charge higher. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rocketed up a huge 3.59% this Thursday.
Tech shares had a great day, too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) soaring 1.13%.
The same could be said of consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) surged 1.08% upwards.
Its consumer staples counterpart put on a good show too, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.83% rise.
Industrial stocks were a little more muted, though. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) lifted 0.48% today.
Financial shares were in the same ballpark, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) bouncing 0.4% higher.
Finally, communications stocks fared almost half as well as financials. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) ticked up 0.22%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top of the index this Thursday was gold stock Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD). Genesis shares galloped 9.13% higher to finish at $2.63 each today.
There was no news from the company that easily explained this move. Saying that, most ASX gold stocks had a fantastic session.
Here's how the other top performers from today landed the plane:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $2.63 | 9.13% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.29 | 8.53% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $6.98 | 8.05% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.63 | 7.95% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $2.80 | 6.46% |
| Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) | $2.97 | 5.69% |
| Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) | $152.53 | 5.57% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $2.70 | 5.47% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.33 | 5.16% |
| Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) | $11.95 | 4.64% |
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.
