It was a volatile and ultimately successful day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday. After stints in both positive and negative territory this session, investors ended up siding with optimism and sent the index up a fractional 0.12% by the closing bell.
That leaves the ASX 200 at 8,640.7 points.
This rather wild day on the ASX follows a mixed night up on the American markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn’t quite hold its own and ended up dropping 0.14%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was in a better mood and gained a healthy 1.2%.
Let’s return to the local markets now, though, and see what kind of movements were happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.
Winners and losers
We had plenty of both winners and losers this Thursday.
Leading the latter were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was singled out for punishment this session, cratering by a nasty 2.2%
Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) crashing 1.87% lower.
We could say the same for gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanked 1.42%.
Healthcare stocks had a decidedly unhealthy time of it today, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)’s 1.03% slump.
Energy shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) took a 0.77% dive this session.
Communications stocks came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) dipping 0.63%.
Consumer discretionary shares followed communications. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw 0.43% wiped from its value this Thursday.
Our last losers today were mining stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)’s 0.1% slide.
Turning to the winners now, it was financial shares that led the charge higher. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) recovered enthusiastically from yesterday’s loss, jumping 1.02%.
Utilities stocks were also popular, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifting 0.79%.
Industrial shares managed a gain as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) had 0.48% added to its total this session.
Finally, Real estate investment trusts (REITs) got over the line. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) got a 0.23% bump by the end of the day.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Blasting away the competition this Thursday was tech stock Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1). Megaport shares soared a massive 27.72% this session to finish up at $12.58 each.
This dramatic gain followed the company announcing a massive contract win, which clearly delighted investors.
Here’s how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $12.58 | 27.72% |
| 4D Medical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) | $3.83 | 13.31% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $40.22 | 4.33% |
| Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) | $7.88 | 3.68% |
| Macquarie Group Ltd (ASX: MQG) | $244.53 | 3.26% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $1.66 | 3.11% |
| Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) | $5.86 | 2.99% |
| PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) | $12.25 | 2.94% |
| Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) | $16.58 | 2.82% |
| Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI) | $22.94 | 2.73% |
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 positions in and has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Macquarie Group, Megaport, and PEXA Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Macquarie Group and PEXA Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Domino’s Pizza Enterprises. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.