The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a pullback this Wednesday, with investors seemingly consolidating after yesterday's new record high for the index. The ASX 200 retreated 0.41% today, leaving the index at 8,284.7 points.
This red day for ASX shares follows a rough night over on the American markets last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) retreated by a chunky 0.75% overnight. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, tumbling 1.01%.
Let's get back to the Australian markets now and see what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors this hump day.
Winners and losers
To no one's surprise, we had far more losers than winners today.
Tech shares led the charge off the cliff. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had an awful day, tanking 1.35%.
Utilities stocks had a day to forget as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) cratering 1.21%.
Consumer staples shares weren't riding to the rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) plunged 1.16% today.
Industrial stocks also suffered, as illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.11% dive.
As did healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sank by 1.04% today.
ASX communications shares weren't much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) retreating 0.83%.
Energy stocks also had a miserable time. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up losing 0.73% of its value.
Consumer discretionary shares took a tumble as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s loss of 0.67%.
Mining stocks saw some selling pressure too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slid 0.44% lower.
Last for the losers were real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slipping 0.06%.
Turning now to the far less numerous winners, it was gold shares that shone the brightest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rocketed another 2.59% higher today.
Finally, financial stocks also escaped today's pessimism, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.27% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Most gold miners had a great day today, but the index's leading stock was Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN). The Evolution share price exploded 6.82% higher today to finish at $5.01.
In addition to a high gold price, investors were flocking to Evolution shares today after the miner released a well-received quarterly update.
Here's a look at the rest of today's winners:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $5.01 | 6.82% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $2.56 | 6.67% |
| Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) | $6.68 | 6.54% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $2.19 | 5.29% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $6.43 | 4.55% |
| Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) | $2.70 | 3.85% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $83.22 | 2.58% |
| Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) | $1.81 | 2.55% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.86 | 2.20% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.33 | 2.19% |
Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows which companies made big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.
