The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) kicked off the trading week on a decisively positive note this Monday, reversing some of the negativity that we saw at the end of last week. By the time trading wrapped up today, the ASX 200 had risen a confident 0.75%, leaving the index at 8,835.9 points.
This happy start to the week's trading comes after a mixed end to the American trading week on Saturday morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to eke out a gain, rising 0.16%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't so lucky, dropping 0.21%.
But let's get back to this week and the local markets now, and take a closer look at what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this session.
Winners and losers
It was almost a universally positive day on the ASX boards, with only two sectors missing out on a rise.
The first of those sectors was consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was left out in the cold, sinking 0.42%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were the other unlucky corner of the market, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) dipping 0.14%.
It was all smiles everywhere else, though.
Leading the charge higher were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) shone, rocketing 3.73%.
Tech stocks bounced back with a vengeance too, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 2.36% surge.
Mining shares ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) ended up soaring 1.59% higher.
Energy stocks were also in demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) galloping up 1.48%.
Industrial shares were bought up. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its value lift 0.85%.
Financial stocks didn't miss out either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.58% bounce.
Consumer discretionary shares were finding buyers as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) vaulted up 0.52%.
Healthcare stocks joined the ASX party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) increasing 0.25%.
We could say something similar about utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) got a 0.18% bump today.
Finally, communications stocks made the cut, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.034% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's enthusiastic winner was miner Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR). Liontown shares exploded 12.75% higher this Monday to close at $1.15 each. There wasn't any news out of Liontown today, but lithium shares were up substantially across the board.
Here's the rest of today's best: