The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) battled its way through yet another day of carnage on the Australian share markets this Thursday. Following falls for most of the trading days this week, the ASX 200 dropped again heavily today.
The index ended up losing a weighty 0.61% lower, leaving it at 6,812.3 points.
Today's depressing losses follow an equally bleak night up the US markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a bouncy trading day, but ended up closing 0.32% lower. It was far worse for the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) though.
This tech-heavy index tanked by a horrid 2.43% and entered official correction territory, having fallen more than 10% since its mid-year highs.
Let's get back to the ASX now, and see what the damage was on the local markets with a look at the various ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
It was a day of red ink all around this Thursday, with only two exceptions.
Starting off with the worst place to be through, and it was in tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a horror show of a day, closing down an awful 2.56%.
It wasn't much better for real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) cratered by another 2.19%.
Communication stocks were on the nose as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) shedding 1.9%.
Then we had industrials shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) lost 1.14% of its value this session.
It wasn't much better for ASX consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) recorded a down move of 0.96%.
The same can be said of the gold sector. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) fell 0.84%.
Healthcare and consumer staples shares didn't prove to be riding to anyone's rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) went backwards by 0.77%, while the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) suffered a 0.79% blow.
Financials stocks were also a drag on the markets , with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) retreating 0.54%.
Investors looking to energy stocks were also disappointed, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) down 0.mj%.
ASX mining shares were something of a safe haven though. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) rose by a welcome 0.14%.
Finally, our second bright spot today was the utilities sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) snatched a gain from the jaws of defeat and rose by a healthy 1.30% today.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top share on the index was IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL). IDP shares surged a healthy 5.88%, despite no recent news out of the company.
Here's how the other winners form today's trading fared:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $22.34 | 5.88% |
| Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) | $12.76 | 4.59% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $1.54 | 4.05% |
| Iluka Resoruces Limited (ASX: ILU) | $7.21 | 2.85% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $0.99 | 2.59% |
| AGL Energy Limited (ASX: AGL) | $10.75 | 2.38% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.835 | 2.23% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $1.705 | 2.10% |
| Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) | $1.70 | 1.80% |
| BlueScope Steel Limited (ASX: BSL) | $18.81 | 1.73% |
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.
