The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured another rough day this Thursday, dropping by a substantial 0.46%.
After plunging even more at market open this morning, the ASX 200 recovered slightly by the closing bell, but still finished deep in the red. As of market close, the index stands at 7,811.8 points.
This depressing day for the ASX follows an equally sour note over on Wall Street last night for the Americans' Wednesday session.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had an awful time, slumping 0.51%.
The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did slightly better, but still dropped 0.18%.
But let's get back to the ASX now, and check out how the various ASX sectors dealt with the market's bad mood.
Winners and losers
Despite the market's foul mood, we still saw a few sectors come out with a win. But more on that later.
Starting off with the losers, it was gold stocks that got the wooden spoon this Thursday. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was hammered, crashing 3.65%.
Mining shares got a shellacking too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanking 2.15%.
It was a little better for consumer discretionary stocks. But the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) still cratered 1.00% today.
Financial shares proved to be another sore spot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slumping 0.58%.
Energy stocks were also being sold off. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw 0.28% of its value wiped off.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) didn't fare much better. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) had slid down 0.27% by the end of trading.
But that's the wrap for the losers.
Turning to the winners, it was ASX tech shares leading the charge today. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) embarrassed the losers with its 2.25% gallop higher.
Healthcare stocks lived up to their name as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) shooting up 1.31%.
Consumer staples shares got a much better deal than their discretionary stablemates today, as the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) gained 1.1%.
Utilities stocks counted themselves lucky too, as is evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.97% jump.
Industrial shares were next off the rank. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) lifted 0.7%.
And our final winner was the communications sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) enjoyed a 0.63% bounce.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming in on top this Thursday was tech stock Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO). Xero shares surged by 8.74% to $134.84 each.
This strong rise came after the company released a well-received full-year earnings report this morning.
And here's the rest of today's winning shares:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) | $134.84 | 8.74% |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $2.95 | 8.46% |
| Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) | $12.04 | 4.06% |
| Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS) | $1.315 | 3.95% |
| Collins Foods Ltd (ASX: CKF) | $9.33 | 3.78% |
| Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC) | $4.95 | 3.77% |
| AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) | $1.105 | 3.76% |
| Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) | $25.44 | 3.63% |
| AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) | $30.51 | 3.56% |
| Challenger Ltd (ASX: CGF) | $6.44 | 2.88% |
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.
