Welcome back for our first daily wrap and top ten shares countdown for 2026. It was an exceptionally lukewarm start to the first full trading week of the year, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rising by just 0.0092% (or 0.8 points).Â
That leaves the ASX 200 at 8,728.6 points.
This timid Monday for the ASX follows a mixed end to the first day of 2026 trading for the American markets on Saturday morning (our time).Â
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) put on a decent show, rising 0.66%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn’t so lucky though, dropping 0.027%.
But let’s get back to this week and the local markets now, and check out how the various ASX sectors navigated today’s trading conditions. Â
Winners and losers
Despite the broader market’s rise, there were plenty of sectors that went backwards today.Â
Leading those losers were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a horrid start to the week, crashing 2.58% lower.
Consumer discretionary stocks were also left out in the cold, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) cratering 1.63%.Â
Communications shares were shunned, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) plunged 1.43% today.
Things improved slightly for real estate investment trusts (REITs), though, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 0.68% dive.Â
Consumer staples stocks came in after REITs. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) saw its value drop 0.49%.
Next up were energy shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) declining 0.39%.Â
Industrial stocks had a rough time, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) retreated 0.21% this Monday.
Financial shares couldn’t stick the landing either, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 0.17% slide.
Our final losers this session were healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) slipped by 0.06% by the close of trading.Â
Let’s turn to the far fewer green sectors now. Today’s gains were spearheaded by mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) shooting 1.74% higher.Â
Gold shares did rather well, too. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) banked a 1.54% surge this Monday.
Finally, utilities stocks managed to ride out the storm, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 0.06% nudge higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top this Monday was energy stock Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN). Paladin shares had a blowout, galloping 7.11% higher to $10.85 a share.Â
There wasn’t any news out of Paladin itself this session. However, my Fool colleague explained why uranium miners were in demand today here.Â
Here’s the rest of today’s best:Â
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $10.85 | 7.11% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $6.19 | 6.91% |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $12.97 | 6.14% |
| Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) | $6.23 | 6.13% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.95 | 5.56% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $84.60 | 5.28% |
| Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) | $13.21 | 5.26% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $2.04 | 4.88% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $6.42 | 4.73% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $15.13 | 4.27% |
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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More reading
- Buying ASX uranium shares like Paladin Energy? Here’s why they’re starting 2026 with a bang!
- Why Civmec, Fenix, Paladin Energy, and Vulcan Steel shares are pushing higher today
- These are the 10 most shorted ASX shares
- Here are my top 3 ASX shares to buy in January
- 2 ASX mining shares to buy for 2026
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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