It was a bumpy, but tentatively positive Thursday session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) today. The ASX 200 briefly dipped into negative territory this afternoon upon the latest unemployment figures, but ended up recovering to post a 0.15% gain for the day. That leaves the index at a flat 8,592 points.
This decent session for the Australian markets follows a far more optimistic morning over on the American market.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was on fire, shooting 1.05% higher.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn’t quite as enthusiastic, but still managed a gain of 0.33%.
But let’s return to ASX shares and take a look at what the various ASX sectors were up to this Thursday.
Winners and losers
Despite the rise of the broader market, we still had quite a few red sectors.
At the front of those red sectors were again tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) continued to fall, plunging 1.48% today.
Healthcare shares were punished too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanking 1.07%.
Communications stocks didn’t have a fun time either. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) cratered by 0.7%.
Consumer discretionary shares weren’t popular, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.55% dive.
Industrial stocks missed out as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) took a 0.29% hit this session.
Our last losers were consumer staples shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) retreating 0.14%.
Turning to the green sectors now, mining stocks led the charge. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) galloped 0.89% higher by the closing bell.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) also ran hot, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 0.66% surge.
Energy shares were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up recording a 0.58% rise.
Financial stocks were a little more subdued, though, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) adding 0.29% to its total.
Gold shares were in the same ballpark. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) got a 0.26% upgrade today.
Finally, utilities stocks scraped home with a win, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 0.2% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top this Thursday was ASX building materials manufacturer James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX). James Hardie shares shot up 7.13% today to close at $30.51 each.
This gain came despite no obvious catalysts out from the company itself.
Here’s how the other top shares landed the plane today:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| James Hardie Industries plc (ASX: JHX) | $30.51 | 7.13% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $3.81 | 6.72% |
| Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) | $14.72 | 5.37% |
| Scentre Group (ASX: SCG) | $4.16 | 4.00% |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $7.63 | 3.11% |
| Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) | $8.59 | 2.75% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $8.96 | 2.75% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.755 | 2.72% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $13.73 | 2.39% |
| Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC) | $3.83 | 2.13% |
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.
The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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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 recommended Flight Centre Travel Group. 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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