The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed another rosy recovery day this Wednesday, as investors continue to shake off the negativity that dominated much of last week. By the time the markets wrapped up trading today, the ASX 200 had added 0.81% to its total. That leaves the index back over 8,600 points at 8,606.5.
This happy hump day for the local markets comes after a euphoric session on Wall Street in the early hours of this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a jubilant mood, rocketing 1.43% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was quite upbeat as well, gaining 0.67%.
But let's return to the ASX now, and take stock of how the different ASX sectors fared amid today's pleasant conditions.
Winners and losers
There were far more green sectors than red ones today, although the gains weren't universal.
Leading the red sectors were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) missed out today, tanking by 0.84%.
Tech shares were also left out in the cold, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) sinking 0.68%.
Communications stocks were unlucky as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) ended up sliding 0.49% lower.
It was all smiles everywhere, though.
At the front of the pack, we found mining shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 1.84% push higher.
Consumer discretionary stocks had a day to remember, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw its value soar 1.22%.
Healthcare shares ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) surging 1.18%.
Gold stocks had a similar experience. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) galloped up 0.95% today.
Energy shares saw some demand as well, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.87% lift.
Industrial stocks also had a strong session. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) added 0.83% to its total by the closing bell.
Consumer staples shares found plenty of buyers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) jumping 0.72%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were a little more muted. Even so, the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) bounced up 0.48%.
Finally, financial stocks comfortably made the winner's cut, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.39% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
This hump day's index winner was National Storage REIT (ASX: NSR), which exploded 19.47% higher today despite being put in a trading halt. It seems this is a result of a potential takeover offer.
Here's how the rest of today's top stocks tied up at the dock: