The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) turned its fortunes around this Thursday, recording a convincing rise after a few days of negative sentiment.

By the time the closing bell rang today, the ASX 200 had surged a euphoric 0.95% higher to finish at 8,203.7 points.

This jubilant day for ASX shares follows a more negative session up on Wall Street overnight.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) took a decisive step backwards, losing 0.7%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to eke out a rise, but only just, ticking up 0.043%.

But let's get back to the happier market and take stock of what the various ASX sectors were up to today.

Winners and losers

Todya's good mood on the markets resulted in just one sector that went backwards.

That unlucky sector was energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was left out in the old today, sinking a chunky 1.1%.

But it was all smiles everywhere else.

Leading the winners this Thursday were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) rocketed up 2.01%.

Tech stocks were also running hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) exploding 1.97% higher.

ASX mining shares had another top session. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared by 1.68%.

Healthcare stocks were right behind that, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.64% surge.

Communications shares were in demand, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) bounced 1.56% today.

Gold stocks had a wonderful time as well, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) galloping up 1.52%.

As were consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) managed a 1.47% vault higher.

Utilities stocks weren't left out of the party either, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.89% rise.

Also invited to said party were industrial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) lifted 0.81%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) also had a pleasant Thursday, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) banking a 0.65% gain.

Finally for the winners were financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) still scored a 0.19% increase though.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Uranium share Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) came in as today's index winner. Paladin stock rose by a confident 7.61% this Thursday to finish at $11.45 a share.

There wasn't any fresh news out of Paladin that explains this move, but most uranium stocks seem to be continuing to surge after the big news earlier this week regarding Microsoft.

Here's the rest of today's winners and how they pulled up: