It was an unpleasant Wednesday for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and most ASX shares this hump day. After enjoying a strong session yesterday, investors reversed course today.
By the closing bell, the ASX 200 had lost a hefty 0.71% of its value, leaving the index at 7,783 points.
This miserable day on the Australian stock market follows a mixed night up on Wall Street last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a day to forget, shedding 0.76% of its value.
It was the opposite outcome for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) though, which vaulted 1.26% higher.
But returning to the Australian markets, it's now time for a checkup of how the different ASX sectors went this Wednesday.
Winners and losers
It was a fairly negative day for ASX shares, with only a handful of sectors eking out a rise. More on those in a moment though.
First up, the worst ASX sector today was gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had an absolute shocker, plunging an awful 2.99%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) also had an awful time, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) tanking 2.09%.
Consumer discretionary stocks were left out in the cold as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) ended up cratering 1.46%.
Financial shares weren't riding to the rescue, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s loss of 0.94%.
Nor were industrial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) parted ways with 0.82% of its value this Wednesday.
ASX mining shares weren't getting bailed out of too, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.58% retreat.
Communications shares did slightly better, but the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) still walked back by 0.36%.
Consumer staples stocks were another sore spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was sent 0.28% lower by market close.
Healthcare shares suffered too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) slipping 0.24%.
But that's it for the losers.
Leading today's winners were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was on fire today, rising a strong 0.77%.
Energy shares also ran hot, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.53% gallop higher.
The final winners were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) managed to enjoy a 0.25% bump today.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Topping out the index this Wednesday was healthcare stock Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV). Polynovo shares ended up adding a healthy 6.61%, leaving them at $2.42 each.
This strong rise came despite no obvious catalyst from Polynovo itself.
Here's a look at the remaining winners from this Wednesday's session:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Polynovo Ltd (ASX: PNV) | $2.42 | 6.61% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.93 | 3.33% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $20.86 | 3.17% |
| Super Retail Group Ltd (ASX: SUL) | $14.17 | 3.13% |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $5.91 | 2.96% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $3.23 | 2.54% |
| Strike Energy Ltd (ASX: STX) | $0.235 | 2.17% |
| Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING) | $2.57 | 2.00% |
| WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) | $95.96 | 1.98% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.80 | 1.98% |
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.
