It was a mildly pleasant end to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Friday.
After enjoying a slow recovery over most of the week, investors pushed the ASX 200 up by another 0.17% today, leaving it at 7,932.1 points as we head into the weekend.
This relaxed end to the Australian trading week follows a more negative morning over on the American stock markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had an anaemic session, slipping by 0.027%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even sadder, slumping 0.33%.
But let's get back to the happier market now for a look at what the various ASX sectors were doing this Friday.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
Despite the market's rise, we still had quite a few red sectors this session.
Leading those red sectors were healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was singled out for punishment today, diving 0.73% lower.
Gold shares also had a day to forget, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) plunging 0.7%.
We could say the same for tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) copped a 0.68% reduction from the markets today.
Energy shares were poor performers too, as you'll see by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.24% dip.
Communications stocks came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slid 0.07% lower today.
Financial shares brought up the rear of the losers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slipping down 0.06%.
Turning to the winners now, it was consumer staples stocks that took out the crown today. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) saw its value rocket by 3.91%.
Industrial shares had a day to remember as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.15% gallop higher.
Utilities stocks ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soared up 0.66% by market close.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in demand too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) surging 0.23%.
Consumer discretionary shares landed on the right side of the road. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lifted by 0.18% today.
Finally, mining stocks were our last winners. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) enjoyed a small 0.08% bounce this Friday.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best share was once again Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE). Boss shares added another 6.67% to their total to finish at $2.88 each.
It wasn't quite clear what the catalyst was, but we discussed what may have happened this afternoon.
Here are the other shares that topped the index charts this Friday:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $2.88 | 6.67% |
| Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) | $29.93 | 6.32% |
| Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) | $19.46 | 4.85% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $16.24 | 3.90% |
| Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) | $21.85 | 3.85% |
| Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) | $40.65 | 3.70% |
| Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS) | $3.19 | 3.57% |
| Transurban Group (ASX: TCL) | $13.29 | 3.18% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $1.14 | 2.71% |
| TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG) | $6.66 | 2.30% |
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.
