It was a volatile and only slightly positive start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Monday. After leaping out of the gate this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the day paring back its gains. By the closing bell, the index had cemented a rise of just 0.057%, leaving it at 7,199 points.
This shaky start to the week's trading comes after a far more optimistic end to the American's week last Friday night (our time) on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a solid session, recording a rise of 0.36%.
It was even better for the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which clocked a gain of 0.45%.
But time now to return to this week and the ASX. So let's see how today's indecisive trading affected the various ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
It was a bit of a mixed bag on the markets today, with plenty of risers and fallers.
Starting with the latter, gold stocks led the fallers this Monday. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had a shocker, tanking 1.88%.
Utilities shares were the next-worst performer. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) fared a lot better though losing 0.61% by end of trade.
Miners were also on investors' hit list. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) retreated by 0.58%.
Then we had tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was another sore spot, sliding 0.31%.
Communications shares and real estate investment trusts (REITs) rounded out the unlucky corners of the market today. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) inched 0.08% lower, while the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slipped by 0.03%.
Turning to the happier sectors, and none made investors more delighted this Monday than energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) began the week with much enthusiasm, shooting up 1.16%.
Consumer discretionary stocks also had a bit of a party today. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lifted 0.21%.
Joining said party were healthcare shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.44% rise.
Financial stocks were another bright spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) managed to lift 0.22%.
Industrial shares were also a great place to be today. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) recorded a rise of 0.2%.
Right behind that were consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) banking a gain of 0.19%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
The best-performing stock on the index this Monday was credit and debt share Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP).
Credit Corp shares rose by a strong 3.91% to $14.07 each. That was despite no news or announcements out from the company today.
Here's a look at the remaining winners from today's trading:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP) | $14.07 | 3.91% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $1.545 | 3.69% |
| Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) | $8.69 | 3.33% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $21.22 | 2.96% |
| Lifestyle Communities Ltd (ASX: LIC) | $17.75 | 2.60% |
| GUD Holdings Ltd (ASX: GUD) | $11.57 | 2.57% |
| Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) | $14.95 | 2.33% |
| Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) | $13.93 | 2.28% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $0.955 | 2.14% |
| Ramsay Health Care Limited (ASX: RHC) | $49.34 | 1.67% |
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.
