The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed yet another record-breaking session this Thursday, continuing a momentous week for ASX shares and the Australian share market.
After launching into positive territory with gusto this morning, the ASX 200 spent the entire day there, closing 0.51% higher at 9,175.3 points. That’s after the index clocked a new all-time high of 9,202.9 points during intra-day trading.
This euphoric session for Australian investors follows a similarly happy morning over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, rising 0.63%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more enthusiastic, gaining a solid 1.26%.
But let’s return to the local markets now and dive deeper into how today’s market optimism has trickled down into the different ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
Although significant, today’s market optimism wasn’t universal, with a handful of sectors going backwards.
Leading those unlucky red sectors were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was left out in the cold this session, plunging 1.48%.
Industrial stocks were unpopular as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) diving 0.83% lower.
Gold shares were no safe haven either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) suffered a 0.78% slump today.
We could say the same for utilities stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 0.75% dip.
Financial shares were our last losers this Thursday. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had retreated 0.05% by the closing bell.
With the losers now out of the way, let’s get to the winners. Leading the charge this session were again tech stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) rocketing another 5.19%.
Consumer staples shares had another fantastic day, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) soared up 1.61%.
Communications stocks mirrored that rise, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)’s 1.61% surge.
Healthcare shares were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw its value spike 1.58% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) put on a strong showing too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 1.16% jump.
Mining stocks continued to impress investors. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) lifted a flat 1% today.
Finally, consumer discretionary shares didn’t fail to find buyers, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.55% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Leading the charts this Thursday was tech stock Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1).
Megaport shares were on fire today, shooting up 12.59% to $9.12 each. There wasn’t any news out from the company today, but most tech stocks had a blowout.
Here’s how the other top performers tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $9.12 | 12.59% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $10.20 | 10.87% |
| Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) | $42.12 | 10.35% |
| Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) | $4.68 | 10.12% |
| Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) | $127.60 | 9.78% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $7.42 | 9.60% |
| Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY) | $1.75 | 9.38% |
| Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) | $82.30 | 8.63% |
| PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $5.25 | 8.25% |
| Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) | $20.84 | 8.15% |
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.
Should you invest $1,000 in Megaport right now?
Before you buy Megaport shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Megaport wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
* Returns as of 20 Feb 2026
.custom-cta-button p {
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}
More reading
- Fund manager reveals views on Life360, Catapult, and Xero shares amid tech turmoil
- What are the experts saying about Domino’s Pizza, Wisetech, and Woolworths shares?
- Why Ramsay Health Care shares are storming 10% higher
- This ASX 200 stock just boosted its dividend by 20%
- Why Accent Group, DroneShield, IDP Education, and Sigma shares are jumping today
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 positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, DroneShield, Megaport, Telix Pharmaceuticals, and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Generation Development Group, Pro Medicus, and Telix Pharmaceuticals. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.