The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a rather sad start to the trading week during this Monday's session. After rising for four out of five trading days last week, the ASX 200 continued the pessimism that we saw last Friday. By the close of trading, the index ended up with a loss of 0.35%, leaving it at 7,026.5 points.
Today's rough Monday comes after the US markets ended their trading week on a similarly downbeat note last Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a shaky day but managed to eke out a gain of 0.12%. The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) couldn't say the same though, clanging down a hefty 1.23%.
Back to the ASX now, and let's see what happened over the broader markets today with a look at the various ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
We definitely had more losers this Monday than winners.
Starting with the former, and it was ASX tech stocks that took the brunt of investor selling today. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) tanked by a nasty 2.79% by market close.
It was far better for industrials shares, but the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) still cratered by a hefty 0.98%.
Then we have consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) was another loser, slipping by 0.78%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) also had a disappointing time this Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) retreating by 0.68%.
Financials stocks only came in slightly better, as seen by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.62% slide.
The healthcare sector wasn't quite as punished though. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) dropped by 0.43% today.
That's pretty much it for the losers.
Turning to the sectors that made investors happy today, and it was the gold sector that led the charge there. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had a cracking time today, rising up 3.2%.
Energy shares also fared well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) rising by a strong 0.63%.
ASX mining stocks were another bright spot, exemplified by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s gain of 0.4%.
Finally, consumer staples shares were in the green as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) managed to bank a lift of 0.03%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Gold stocks dominate today's top ten ASX 200 shares with gold miner Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) coming out on top.
Regis shares rose a healthy 5.84% up to $1.63 each. This follows a big surge in the gold price, which explains why so many gold shares soared today.
Here's the rest of today's top ASX 200 performers:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $1.63 | 5.84% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $0.75 | 4.9% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $1.645 | 4.44% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.81 | 4.32% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $4.45 | 3.73% |
| Newcrest Mining Ltd (ASX: NCM) | $26.86 | 3.31% |
| Alumina Limited (ASX: AWC) | $0.965 | 3.21% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $11.40 | 3.17% |
| Silver Lake Resources Ltd (ASX: SLR) | $0.98 | 3.16% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $2.69 | 3.07% |
Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to let you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.
