Winners and losers
Today's gains were almost universal, with only one sector missing out on a rise.
That red sector was, ironically enough, healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was overlooked, slumping 0.7%.
But it was a party everywhere else.
Leading the winners this Wednesday were tech shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) surging 1.59%.
Utilities stocks fared relatively well, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soared 0.89% higher today.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were just behind that, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.87% spike.
Energy shares ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) galloped up 0.71%.
Industrial stocks also saw decent demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) jumping 0.66%.
Mining shares didn't miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) saw 0.47% added to its total by the closing bell.
Consumer staples stocks were hot on the miners' tail, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.43% lift.
Communications shares were in that ballpark, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) saw a 0.4% improvement this hump day.
Financial stocks were a little more muted, though, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) improving by 0.08%.
Consumer discretionary shares were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) ticked up 0.05%.
Finally, gold stocks squeaked over the line, illustrated by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.01% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Topping the ASX 200 charts this Wednesday was defence stock DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO). Droneshield shares rocketed 10.45% this session to close at $4.44 each.
This sizeable gain seemed to result from a new partnership announcement out from the company, which we dove into here.
Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb today: