The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gave up an afternoon lead to post a negative start to the week's trading today.
The ASX 200 initially fell sharply this morning, but spent the rest of the day recovering. That was until the closing bell when investors got cold feet all over again. The index finished up in the red, if only just, posting an end-of-day loss of 0.027% down to 7,496.3 points.
This tentatively negative start to the trading week follows a disappointing finish to the American week last week.
Last Friday night (our time) had the Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) slip by 0.31%.
The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did a little better, recording an almost inconspicuous uptick of 0.017%.
But let's get back to this week now, and check out how the various ASX sectors went this Monday.
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Winners and losers
Kicking off with the losers first, and it was ASX mining stocks that bore the brunt of investors' pessimism today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) ended up tanking by 0.81%.
Also on the proverbial hitlist were healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) ended up sliding by 0.57%.
Another sore spot was the utilities space. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) fell by 0.55% by the closing bell.
Then we had industrial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) wasn't in form either and retreated by 0.38%.
But that's it for the losers. Turning to the winning sectors today, it was energy shares leading the charge. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had a ball, rocketing by 2.11%.
Communications shares were another standout performer. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) closed up a confident 1.06%.
Gold stocks weren't left out either, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s gain of 0.57%.
Consumer discretionary shares were another bright spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) swelled by 0.38%.
Those were closely followed by ASX consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) upset no one with its 0.25% vault higher.
Financial shares came in next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) rising 0.25%.
Tech shares weren't as confident though. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a positive day, but only just, netting an increase of 0.08%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) managed to eke out a rise as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up inching 0.01% higher by the close of trading.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
ASX uranium shares were back in the buying line today, with Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) taking out the index's top spot.
Boss shares surged a whopping 9.63% up to $5.58 each after some big news in the uranium space today lit a fire under Boss and its fellow uranium stocks.
Here's a look at how the rest of the best performers landed the plane:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $5.58 | 9.63% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $1.295 | 7.47% |
| Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) | $16.71 | 5.69% |
| Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) | $8.35 | 4.90% |
| Premier Investments Limited (ASX: PMV) | $27.80 | 4.04% |
| Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) | $7.83 | 3.71% |
| JB Hi-Fi Limited (ASX: JBH) | $59.88 | 3.49% |
| Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING) | $4.22 | 3.43% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $1.80 | 2.56% |
| Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) | $36.33 | 2.37% |
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.
