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It was a happy hump day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Wednesday.

After recording losses at the start of the week, investors seemed to find their sense of optimism today, with the ASX 200 staying in green territory all session, and closing 0.7% higher. That leaves the index at 8,785.7 points.

This turn of fortunes for Australian investors followed an upbeat night over on Wall Street.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) recovered from an early slump to finish 0.45% higher.

Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) only just managed to get over the line, gaining just 0.026%.

But let's get back to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors this hump day.

Winners and losers

Despite the lift of the broader market, we still saw a few corners go backwards.

Leading those losers were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a rough one, plunging 0.76%.

Consumer discretionary shares weren't in favour either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) diving 0.51%.

Communications stocks were sold off too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) took a 0.44% tumble today.

Healthcare shares weren't riding to the rescue, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.33% dip.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were our last market laggards. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slipped down 0.12%.

Turning to the green sectors now, it was energy shares that starred in today's show, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) soaring 1.59% higher by the time the markets closed.

Mining stocks ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surged 1.48% this Wednesday.

Consumer staples stocks were also in demand, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 1.14% jump.

Financial shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) enjoyed a 0.79% boost this session.

Gold stocks didn't miss out, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) bouncing up 0.23%.

Industrial shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) managed a 0.2% improvement.

Finally, utilities stocks brought up the rear, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.05% uptick.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Taking out top spot on the index this hump day was uranium mining stock Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN). Paladin shares rocketed 11.48% this session to finish at $11.85 each.

This came despite no news or announcements out from the company itself, though.

Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)	$11.85	11.48%
Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA)	$2.21	10.50%
NexGen Energy (Canada) Ltd (ASX: NXG)	$17.16	9.37%
Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL)	$1.63	7.95%
Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX)	$6.32	7.67%
Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI)	$116.85	5.97%
Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA)	$3.94	5.35%
BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL)	$33.33	4.88%
Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA)	$2.24	4.67%
Sims Ltd (ASX: SGM)	$28.39	4.57%

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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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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