ASX investors finally caught another break this Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rising for only its second session in the past nine trading days.
By the time the markets closed up shop, the ASX 200 had added 0.33% to its value, leaving the index at 8,268.2 points. It's the ASX 200's first gain since Monday, and before that, Valentine's Day.
This day of relief for Australian investors comes after a mixed morning for American investors.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't quite hold an early lead, and closed down 0.43% this morning.
The teach-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared better though and managed to rise 0.26%.
But let's return to the local markets for a checkup on what was happening in the various ASX sectors this Thursday.
Winners and losers
There were only three red sectors in this session.
Leading those losers were healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) took a 1.07% dive today.
Tech shares were also conspicuously out of favour, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) diving 1.01%.
Lastly for the losers, we had real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up sinking 0.36% over the trading day.
But it was all smiles everywhere else on the market.
The best place to be today was in gold shares, as you'll see from the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 1.67% gallop higher.
Consumer staples stocks had a party too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) soared up 1.55%.
Mining stocks also got an invite, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surging by 0.98%.
Industrial shares were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) banked a rise worth 0.92% today.
Communications stocks were in the same ballpark, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.87% lift.
Energy shares put on a decent show as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) bounced 0.67% higher today.
We could say the same for consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) adding 0.49% to its total.
Utility shares followed next. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) saw its value tick up by 0.34% this session.
Finally, financial shares had a mild day of gains, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.22% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top today was automotive stock Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE). Eagers shares had a blowout today, rocketing 19.92% higher to $14.93.
This race higher for Eagers came after the company dropped its latest earnings report this morning.
Here are the other winners from today's trading:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) | $14.93 | 19.92% |
| Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) | $4.42 | 9.95% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $14.20 | 8.90% |
| Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) | $5.95 | 7.99% |
| IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE) | $8.25 | 7.70% |
| Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) | $36.18 | 6.82% |
| NIB Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF) | $6.75 | 6.30% |
| Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) | $9.39 | 5.62% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.675 | 5.47% |
| Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP) | $5.36 | 5.30% |
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.
