After what has been a relatively positive week for ASX shares and the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO), this Friday has given investors a reality check as we head into the weekend.
By close of trading today, the ASX 200 had slumped by a disappointing 0.55%, pulling the index back down under 7,000 points to finish the week at 6,976.5.
This deflating end to the week comes after an even worse night for the US stock markets last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a pretty horrid day, clanging down by 0.65% in overnight trading. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, tanking by 0.94%.
But let's get back to the ASX now and see how the different ASX sectors closed out this week's trading.
Winners and losers
It was almost a universally bad day for all ASX shares, with not one sector coming out with a win this Friday.
But starting with the losers, today's selling was led by the utilities sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) had an awful day, cratering by 1.7%.
Energy stocks were also a pretty bad place to be today. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) tanked 1.51% today.
Financials stocks also had a rough time. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) suffered a fall of 0.95%.
The same can be said of ASX communication shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was marked down 0.87% by investors.
Gold stocks didn't end up being a safe harbour today either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had yet another horrid day, losing another 0.83% of its value.
Turning to ASX consumer staples and discretionary shares, and we have another pair of losers. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) closed 0.49% lower, while the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lost 0.33%.
Tech stocks also proved to be a sore point. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) slipped by 0.30% by close of trading.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) followed close behind, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sliding 0.27%.
Mining stocks had a bad hair day as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) grinding down 0.15%.
Finally, ASX healthcare shares fared poorly this Friday. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had no cure for the market's woes, inching 0.06% lower.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Finishing its week on a high today was healthcare stock Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU).
Neuren shares closed a pleasing 10.05% higher at $14.46, continuing the company's recent momentum. That was despite no additional news or announcements out today
Here's how the rest of today's best-performing shares closed out the week:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $14.46 | 10.05% |
| Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) | $131.62 | 5.59% |
| Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) | $23.68 | 3.27% |
| Domain Holdings Australia Ltd (ASX: DHG) | $3.57 | 2.29% |
| Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) | $53.93 | 1.79% |
| Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT) | $21.42 | 1.71% |
| Atlas Arteria (ASX: ALX) | $5.79 | 1.58% |
| Lifestyle Communities Ltd (ASX: LIC) | $17.25 | 1.53% |
| Fortescue Metals Group Limited (ASX: FMG) | $23.75 | 1.28% |
| Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR) | $4.85 | 1.25% |
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.
