It was a sobering Wednesday session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares today.
After recording a strong gain yesterday, investors appear to have gotten cold feet overnight. By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had fallen by 0.16% to finish at 7,816.8 points.
This not-so-happy hump day for ASX shares comes after a mixed night of trading over on the US markets last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: DJI) had a miserly time of it, dropping 0.13%.
It was a little better for the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) though, which inched 0.14% higher.
But let's get back to talking about ASX shares and take a look at what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors today.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
Despite the market's drop, quite a few sectors increased in value this Wednesday.
But more on those in a moment.
The worst-performing sector today was mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had a shocker, tanking 1.2%.
Utilities stocks weren't too far off that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) plunging 1.17%.
Energy shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) cratered by 0.64% today.
Tech stocks fared a little better, but the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) still fell 0.17%.
Healthcare stocks were our last losers of the day. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) retreated by a rather unhealthy 0.14%.
But, believe it or not, that's it for the losers.
Leading the winners today were communications shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had a great time, rocketing up 1.44%.
Gold stocks were also running hot, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) recording a rise of 0.33%.
Consumer staples shares were in demand as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) ended up gaining 0.25%.
Financial shares proved to be another bright spot, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.21% lift.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were right behind financials, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.18% improvement.
Industrial shares also had a pleasant day. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) ended up enjoying a 0.14% markup.
Finally, consumer discretionary stocks saw a small increase in value, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) inching 0.08% higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best share on the index was none other than gaming stock Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR). Star shares soared by 3.06% today, up to 50.5 cents each.
That was despite a complete lack of catalysts for such a move out of the company today.
Here's how the rest of the top ten pulled up this Wednesday:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) | $0.505 | 3.06% |
| Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA) | $4.88 | 2.95% |
| Red 5 Ltd (ASX: RED) | $0.41 | 2.50% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $2.51 | 2.45% |
| Telstra Group Ltd (ASX: TLS) | $3.82 | 2.41% |
| Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) | $6.44 | 2.38% |
| JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) | $64.39 | 2.24% |
| Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) | $28.02 | 2.11% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $11.58 | 2.03% |
| Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) |
$15.29 | 1.87% |
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.
