It was a somewhat volatile but ultimately positive return to trading for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Monday. After last Friday’s euphoric end to the trading week, investors seemed to have come back from the weekend with that mindset mostly intact.
Although the ASX 200 did briefly dip into negative territory at one point this session, it ended up closing a comfortable 0.44% higher. That leaves the index at 8,845.7 points.
This happy start to the trading week for the Australian markets came after a far more negative conclusion to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a rough time, falling 0.34%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was much worse though, dropping 2.14%.
Let’s get back to this week and our local markets now and take a closer look at what the various ASX sectors were up to today.
Winners and losers
Despite today’s broader market optimism, there were still a few sectors that were left out.
Leading those losers were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was left out in the cold, tumbling 1.31%.
Gold shares were no safe haven either, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) diving 0.68%.
Consumer discretionary stocks were also unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw its value cut by 0.2%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also in that ballpark, as evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 0.19% dip.
Our final losers this Monday were consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) slid 0.08% lower.
Let’s turn to the winners now. Leading said winners were energy stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) galloping 2.21% higher.
Financial shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) surged by 0.86% today.
Industrial stocks followed financials, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.83% jump.
Utilities shares did decently too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) closed up 0.38%.
Communications stocks didn’t miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting 0.21%.
Healthcare shares managed a rise. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) finished the day with an extra 0.14%.
Finally, mining stocks just got over the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)’s 0.11% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Taking out the crown this Monday was waste management stock Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY). Cleanaway shares rocketed up 10.24% today to close at $2.97 each.
This followed the news that the company has entered into a takeover scheme with EQT Infrastructure.
Here’s the rest of today’s best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Cleanaway Waste Management Ltd (ASX: CWY) | $2.97 | 20.24% |
| Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) | $11.75 | 19.29% |
| Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA) | $4.24 | 7.07% |
| New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) | $6.18 | 5.82% |
| Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) | $6.29 | 5.71% |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $7.93 | 5.17% |
| Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) | $19.35 | 4.54% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $0.905 | 4.02% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.75 | 3.87% |
| AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) | $2.47 | 3.78% |
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.
Wondering where to invest $1,000 right now?
When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…
* Returns as of 6 March 2025
More reading
- Up 20%: Has the EQT deal saved Cleanaway shares?
- Cleanaway Waste Management enters $9.3bn Scheme with EQT Infrastructure
- Challenger confirms $11.80 per share takeover proposal
- New Hope to create $6.3bn coal group with Malabar merger
- 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Monday
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 Challenger. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.