Winners and losers
Although significant, today's market optimism wasn't universal, with a handful of sectors going backwards.
Leading those unlucky red sectors were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was left out in the cold this session, plunging 1.48%.
Industrial stocks were unpopular as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) diving 0.83% lower.
Gold shares were no safe haven either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) suffered a 0.78% slump today.
We could say the same for utilities stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.75% dip.
Financial shares were our last losers this Thursday. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had retreated 0.05% by the closing bell.
With the losers now out of the way, let's get to the winners. Leading the charge this session were again tech stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) rocketing another 5.19%.
Consumer staples shares had another fantastic day, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) soared up 1.61%.
Communications stocks mirrored that rise, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 1.61% surge.
Healthcare shares were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw its value spike 1.58% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) put on a strong showing too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 1.16% jump.
Mining stocks continued to impress investors. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) lifted a flat 1% today.
Finally, consumer discretionary shares didn't fail to find buyers, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.55% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Leading the charts this Thursday was tech stock Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1).
Megaport shares were on fire today, shooting up 12.59% to $9.12 each. There wasn't any news out from the company today, but most tech stocks had a blowout.
Here's how the other top performers tied up at the dock:
