
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) sent off the trading week with a bang this Friday, recording a healthy rise and breaking what was the longest losing streak the Australian markets have seen in years.
After falling for eight straight sessions in a row, the ASX 200 finally turned a corner today, with investors clearly deciding enough was enough. By the time trading wrapped up, the index had gained 0.74%, leaving it at 8,729.8 points as we head into the weekend.
This stellar end to the trading week for the local markets comes after a euphoric night on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was off to the races, rising a confident 1.62%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was slightly less enthusiastic, but managed a respectable 0.89% jump regardless.
Let’s return to the ASX now and examine how today’s market optimism percolated down into the different ASX sectors this session.
Winners and losers
Today’s market enthusiasm only left one corner of the ASX behind.
That unlucky sector was financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was looked over today, sliding 0.25% lower.
But it was all sunshine and rainbows everywhere else.
Leading the charge were mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soaring 2.09%
Industrial shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) surged up 1.27% this session.
Consumer staples stocks also saw strong demand, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)’s 1.13% bounce.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn’t miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) leapt up 1.05% by the end of trading.
Gold shares got a look in, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) adding a flat 1% to its total.
As did, to a lesser extent, consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) put on an additional 0.78%.
Communications stocks joined the party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting 0.74%.
Tech stocks came next, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)’s 0.73% jump.
Utilities shares didn’t miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) came home 0.56% heavier this Friday.
Healthcare stocks managed a win as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) increasing by 0.21%.
Finally, energy shares managed to keep above water, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)’s 0.02% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today’s best share on the index came in as lithium stock Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR). Liontown shares had another strong session, adding a robust 12.34% to finish the week at $2.64 a share.
This seems to be a continuation of the momentum we saw yesterday following the company’s well-received quarterly report.
Here’s the rest of today’s best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $2.64 | 12.34% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $4.50 | 9.76% |
| NextGen Energy (Canada) Ltd (ASX: NXG) | $17.35 | 6.31% |
| NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) | $6.44 | 5.23% |
| Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) | $19.26 | 5.19% |
| Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) | $98.77 | 5.07% |
| Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) | $1.38 | 4.96% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $1.77 | 4.75% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $66.70 | 4.69% |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $2.39 | 4.37% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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 Liontown right now?
Before you buy Liontown 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 Liontown 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
- Why these top ASX shares sank 10%+ in April
- ASX 200 snaps brutal 8-day losing streak. Can it hold?
- 3 ASX mining stocks Macquarie thinks are worth buying right now
- Why Boss Energy, Coles, Evolution Mining, and Mineral Resources shares are charging higher today
- This ASX 300 stock just jumped 13%. Here’s what’s behind the move
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 Cochlear. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.