It was a bouncy but overall positive session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Wednesday. After staying in positive territory all day, the ASX 200 closed 0.15% higher by the close of trading. That leaves the index at 8,695.6 points.
This confident hump day session for the local markets followed a happy morning over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was sprightly, jumping 0.99%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as upbeat, but still managed a respectable 0.65% gain.
But let's get back to Australian shares now and take a deeper dive into today's gains with a look at how the various ASX sectors fared.
Winners and losers
There were far more green sectors than red today.
Leading those red sectors were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was left out in the cold, plunging 2.34%.
Financial stocks had a day to forget as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) taking a 1.02% dive.
The other red corner of the markets was communications shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) only just missed out, though, slipping by 0.02%.
It was all smiles everywhere else.
Leading the charge higher this hump day were tech stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 1.53% surge.
Mining shares had another blowout day, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had soared 1.32% higher by market close.
Consumer staples stocks were also in demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) shooting 1.18% higher.
Gold shares ran hot. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) enjoyed a 1.07% lift this Wednesday.
Healthcare stocks saw some decent buying, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.91% jump.
Next, we had industrial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) bounced up 0.77% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) galloping 0.46% higher.
Consumer discretionary stocks were a little tamer. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) still managed a 0.29% bump, though.
Finally, utilities shares pulled off a win, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.28% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best stock was rare earths miner and processor Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC). Lynas shares had a phenomenal day, rocketing 14.52% higher to close at $15.06 a share.
This big leap seems to be part of some rebound momentum, which we discussed today.
Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock: