It was a strong start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Monday. After the drops we saw over the back end of last week, investors seemed to regain a sense of optimism over the weekend, with the ASX 200 adding 0.36% to its value by the end of today's trading. That leaves the index at 8,697.7 points.
This happy start to the week for ASX investors follows a similarly bullish end to the American trading week last Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a strong session, rising 0.47%.
Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) hit a new all-time high, lifting 0.24%.
Let's get back to this week and our local markets now, and dig a little deeper into how today's gains trickled down into the different ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
Despite the optimism of the broader market, we still saw a few sectors take a hit this Monday.
Leading those losers were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was singled out for punishment this session, plunging 1.42%.
Mining shares had a day to forget as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanking by 1.03%.
Utilities stocks were unlucky as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was sent home 0.8% lighter today.
Our final losers were gold shares, as you can see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.22% slide.
Turning to the winners now, it was communications stocks that shone the brightest. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) managed to surge 1.06% higher this session.
Financial shares ran hot as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) soaring 0.89% by the closing bell.
Then we had healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) jumped 0.83% this Monday.
Industrial shares were in demand too, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.79% lift.
Consumer discretionary stocks were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) added 0.77% to its value today.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) put in a nice showing as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) rising 0.69%.
Tech shares were also finding buyers. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) got a 0.61% bump by market close.
Finally, consumer staples stocks made the winner's cut, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.48% gain.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out in first place on the index this Monday was financial company Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG). Magellan shares had a strong day, galloping 4.6% higher to finish at $10.92 each.
This came despite a lack of any developments out of Magellan itself.
Here's how the rest of today's winners pulled up: