It's been a bit of a shaky day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Tuesday.
The ASX 200 whipsawed for most of the day, spending time in both positive and negative territory. But by market close, the bears had won, and the index finished up at 7,603.6 points, a loss of 0.16% for the session.
That was despite a flurry of new 52-week highs for many big shares.
This wild session start comes after a mixed start to the week's trading up on the US markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a pleasing Monday, rising by 0.33%.
However, the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) had a more Garfield-esque response to the end of the weekend and fell by 0.3%.
But returning to the local markets, let's now take a look at what the various ASX sectors were up to today.
Winners and losers
The worst sector this Tuesday again turned out to be healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had another shocker, tanking by a further 1.64%.
Communications stocks were also singled out. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) cratered by a painful 1.12%.
Next on the chopping block were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was also on the nose, losing 0.95% of its value.
Industrial stocks suffered less, but the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) still got a 0.36% downgrade from investors.
Consumer staples shares were another sore spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) ended up falling by 0.21%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were right behind, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sliding 0.06%.
Our final loser was the mining sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slipped 0.04% today.
Turning now to the winners, and it was gold shares leading the charge today. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had a ball, romping home with a rise of 1.51%.
Utilities stocks were at the said ball too, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.71% surge.
ASX financial shares had a great day as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) recording a rise of 0.32%.
Consumer discretionary stocks came in after that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) ended up getting a 0.24% bump.
Energy shares were our final winner today, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) inching 0.11% higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our best-performing share on the index today was another winner from earnings season. Annuities provider Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF)'s shares rocketed by a whopping 8.36% today up to $7.13 each after investors got a look at its half-yearly results this morning.
Here's a look at the rest of today's winners:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) | $7.13 | 8.36% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $1.825 | 6.73% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $3.18 | 6.35% |
| JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) | $63.96 | 5.58% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $0.875 | 4.17% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.33 | 3.91% |
| Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) | $106.01 | 3.82% |
| Credit Corp Group Ltd (ASX: CCP) | $18.90 | 3.22% |
| Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS) | $1.45 | 3.20% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $20.24 | 3.11% |
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.
