The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) enjoyed a happy hump day this Wednesday. After a bumpy start to the week, investors seemed to be in a positive mood all session today. After some bouncing around, the ASX 200 ended up closing 0.34% higher. That leaves the index at a flat 8,823 points.

This excitable Wednesday on the ASX comes after an even more upbeat night over on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a great mood, rising 0.74%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more jubilant, gaining 1.29%.

But get back to the local markets now and dive a little deeper into what the different ASX sectors were doing this hump day.

Winners and losers

Despite the broader market’s gains, there were a few sectors that were left out in the cold.

First amongst those were again healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanked 1.93% today.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also shunned, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) diving 1.44%.

Consumer discretionary stocks matched that loss. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) also tumbled 1.44%.

Tech shares were on the nose too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)’s 1.07% slump.

Communications stocks weren’t much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) dipped 0.93% this session.

Utilities shares came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) shedding 0.75% of its value.

Industrial stocks fared better, though. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its value decline 0.08% this Wednesday.

Our final losers were consumer staples shares, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)’s 0.02% slip.

Turning to the winners now, it was gold stocks that came out on top. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) enjoyed a 3.98% surge today.

Broader mining stocks also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) roaring 2.3% higher.

Energy shares didn’t miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) jumped 0.67% this session.

Last and least, financial stocks joined the party, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 0.19% increase.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Titanium stock IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) was our index winner this Wednesday. IperionX shares rocketed 8.67% higher today to close at $3.51 each. Although there was no news out from the company, most mining shares had a stunner today.

Here’s how the other chart-toppers pulled up at the kerb: 

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)	$3.51	8.67%
Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN)	$4.27	7.56%
Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM)	$1.11	7.28%
FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM)	$1.78	6.91%
Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN)	$9.13	6.66%
Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL)	$6.29	6.61%
Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX)	$4.85	6.13%
Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD)	$6.10	5.90%
Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB)	$3.72	5.68%
Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL)	$5.92	5.34%

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.

More reading

• Why is everyone talking about Resolute Mining, Westgold and Paladin shares on Wednesday?
• Why this top expert thinks Qantas shares can fly 20% higher
• Paladin Energy sets FY2027 Langer Heinrich uranium guidance
• Westgold Resources exceeds guidance with record gold production in FY26
• Mercury NZ trading margin jumps 33% as renewables drive Q4 result

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 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.

Of all the ASX healthcare shares, Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) is one of the most appealing businesses to me in the sector.

Sonic Healthcare describes itself as a global healthcare provider with specialist operations in laboratory medicine and pathology, radiology, general practice medicine and corporate medical services.

It’s headquartered in Sydney, but it has operations in a number of countries including Australia, Germany, USA, Switzerland, the UK, Belgium, Poland and New Zealand.

There are (at least) three great reasons to like the business.

Revenue growth with good tailwinds

The business is regularly delivering good revenue growth, which is an important element of long-term success. Sonic Healthcare is benefiting from the fact that there are ageing and growing population demographics in its core markets.

The FY26 half-year result showed the ability of the business to grow – revenue rose 17% year over year to $5.4 billion. That included organic revenue growth of 5%.

Sonic Healthcare has managed to drive its revenue through both organic expansion and acquisitions.

The great thing about being a global business is that Sonic can allocate its organic investment and acquisition attention to whichever market or opportunity it thinks is the best place for its money.

I believe the ASX healthcare share will be able to continue growing revenue at a good pace for the foreseeable future.

Good profit growth

Profit growth is even more important than revenue growth, of course.

Sonic’s profit is growing at a pleasing pace, which I think the market is underestimating. In the FY26 half-year result, Sonic Healthcare revealed operating profit (EBITDA) growth of 10%, net profit growth of 11% and operating cash flow growth of 10%.

As the business become larger, I expect its profit margins to increase, as it did in the past. The company noted that its underlying EBITDA margin did increase in the HY26 period.

According to the projection on Commsec, the Sonic Healthcare share price is valued at less than 18x FY26’s estimated earnings. The forecast on Commsec suggests the business could grow its earnings by 15% in FY27 and another 14% in FY28.

If the ASX healthcare share is able to continue growing its earnings by more than 10% in the coming years, it could justify more market excitement again about its prospects.

Rising dividend

One of the benefits of owning the ASX healthcare share is that the business is regularly increasing its payout.

It has increased its annual payout each year since FY13, meaning it has been able to give investors a pleasing level of payout consistency.

According to the projection on Commsec, the business could pay an annual dividend per share of $1.095 in FY26, which translates into a 5.25% dividend yield, excluding any franking credits.

Overall, I think this business is undervalued and has a promising future.

The post 3 reasons why this ASX healthcare share price is a buy appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• Healthcare shares lead the ASX 200 again as sector rotation gathers pace

Motley Fool contributor Tristan Harrison 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 Sonic Healthcare. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

Of all the ASX exchange-traded funds (ETFs) in my portfolio, of which there are a few, there’s only one that I think is looking attractive right now. Sure, my index funds, which include the Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF (ASX: VAS) and the Vanguard MSCI Australian Small Companies Index ETF (ASX: VSO), are always solid options. But neither of these funds is looking like a screaming bargain at today’s prices. At least in my opinion.

But the VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF (ASX: MOAT)? That’s a different story.

The VanEck Wide Moat ETF is a rather unique fund on the ASX. It is not your traditional index fund, blindly following an entire market. Instead, it is an actively managed ASX ETF that holds a relatively concentrated portfolio of US stocks.

Not just any US stock finds its way into the MOAT portfolio, though. Each holding is only selected if it appears to display signs of possessing a wide economic moat. A moat is a concept first coined by legendary investor Warren Buffett. It describes an intrinsic competitive advantage that a company can possess and use to keep its customers coming back and its competition at bay. Much as a literal moat protected a castle from marauders in days of yore.

There are many types of moats that a company might have. It could be a powerful and trusted brand, or a cost advantage that allows a company to offer consistently lower prices than its rivals. It could also be offering a product or service that customers find difficult to avoid using.

Only companies that Morningstar determines possess at least one of these moats are eligible for inclusion in the VanEck Wide Moat ETF. To illustrate, some of its current holdings include Airbnb, Microsoft, Nvidia, Nike, Disney, Clorox, Amazon, and PepsiCo.

Whether it’s Airbnb’s brand, Nvidia’s cutting-edge chips, Disney’s intellectual property assets, or Amazon’s cost advantage, you can see why these companies might possess a moat.

But let’s talk about this ETF itself.

Why this ASX ETF is looking hot right now

Over long periods of time, MOAT units have returned some impressive numbers. As of 30 June, this ASX ETF has delivered an average of 14.4% per annum over the past ten years (that’s growth plus dividend returns). Since inception in 2015, the number is 13.94% per annum.

Yet the past year has been a lacklustre one for this fund. Over the 12 months to 30 June, investors banked just 5.97%. Indeed, over this same period, the MOAT unit price itself has gone backwards by about 3.8%. As of today’s pricing, the gap is even wider at a 6.2% loss.

Yet I think this makes this ASX ETF a compelling investing opportunity. This ETF has the runs on the board to show that its strategy is a successful one over long periods of time. As such, any pullback or departure from the mean might be a great time to pick up some units. I’ve had this ETF in my portfolio for many years, and it has been a lucrative investment. As such, I’m considering adding some more at current levels.

The post I think this Buffett-inspired ASX ETF is in the buy zone right now appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 5 ASX ETFs for beginner investors in July
• 3 amazing ASX ETFs I’d buy this month
• The best ASX ETFs to buy and hold for 10 years
• The currency-hedged ASX ETFs magnifying dividends by up to 10x this season
• 6 ASX ETFs offering 10%-plus dividend yields in a single payout

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has positions in Amazon, Microsoft, PepsiCo, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, Vanguard Australian Shares Index ETF, and Vanguard Msci Australian Small Companies Index ETF. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Airbnb, Amazon, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Airbnb, Amazon, Microsoft, Nike, Nvidia, VanEck Morningstar Wide Moat ETF, and Walt Disney. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.