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It was another recovery day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this hump day, as investors continued to throw off the pessimism that we saw on Monday.

By the time the markets closed this Wednesday, the ASX 200 had risen by another 0.59% after staying in green territory all session, leaving the index at 8,743.5 points.

This happy hump day for the local markets comes after a nervous morning over on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was volatile, but ended up closing 0.072% lower.

Things were a bit better for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), though, which overcame its own shakiness to finish 0.0051% higher.

But let's get back to the Australian share market now and see what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

We had plenty of both red and green sectors this Wednesday.

Leading the former were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was punished, crashing 1.63% lower.

Tech stocks were right behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) diving 1.57%.

We could say something similar for healthcare shares, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) took a 1.37% hit this session.

Communications stocks weren't popular either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.94% dip.

Consumer discretionary shares couldn't hold on. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw its value cut by 0.25% today.

Next, we have real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slipped down 0.66%.

Our last losers were industrial stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) sliding 0.06%.

Let's turn to the green sectors now. Leading the pack were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) enjoyed a healthy 1.97% boost this Wednesday.

Gold stocks were popular too, as you can tell by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 1.5% surge.

Financial shares joined the party as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) soared 0.85%.

Energy stocks were there too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) lifting 0.57% today.

Consumer staples shares were our final winners this Wednesday, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.53% improvement.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Winning today's ASX 200 race was rare earths stock Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC). Lynas shares rocketed a huge 16.2% this Wednesday to close at $10.59 each.

This gain followed a release yesterday afternoon that outlines a long-term agreement with a Japanese customer. Investors clearly loved what they saw.

Here's how the top stocks pulled up at the kerb today:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)	$20.59	16.20%
Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU)	$6.66	9.36%
Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA)	$4.94	6.93%
Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)	$60.33	5.01%
IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)	$7.14	5.15%
PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)	$4.90	4.93%
Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE)	$1.61	4.21%
Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)	$12.40	3.77%
Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)	$6.88	3.77%
Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG)	$19.98	3.68%

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.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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