The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a wild, but ultimately unsuccessful, Thursday session today. After a bouncy week, the ASX 200 notched up another retreat this session, dropping by an anaemic 0.12%. That leaves the index at 8,206.3 points.
Today's disappointing trading day comes after a negative night over on the American markets this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a rough time of it, slumping 0.96%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, crashing 1.6% lower.
But time now to return to the ASX and take a look at how the various ASX sectors navigated today's tough conditions.
Winners and losers
Despite the market's drop, we had quite a few sectors that managed to eke out a gain today.
But more on that in a moment.
Starting with the red sectors, tech shares again led the charge lower. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had another shocker today, cratering 2.9%.
Gold stocks had an unusually tough day (by recent standards) as well, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) plunging 1.84%.
Consumer discretionary shares also got punished. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) tanked 0.98%.
Mining stocks came in just behind that, as evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.97% sell-off.
ASX industrial shares were unlucky too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) sank 0.57% lower this Thursday.
Our final red sector was real estate investment trusts (REITs), as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.09% slide.
Turning now to the green sectors, communications stocks were the most enthusiastic. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) surged up 0.71% today.
Financial shares were on fire as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) enjoying a 0.62% bump.
Healthcare stocks found themselves on the winning side. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifted 0.36% this session.
Consumer staples shares notched up a win too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.28% rise.
Then we had utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) got a 0.18% boost today.
Finally, energy shares round out our list today, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) inching up 0.09%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Gold stock West African Resources (ASX: WAF) was our winner this Thursday. West African shares vaulted 3.56% higher today up to $1.75 each.
There wasn't any fresh news from the company this session, so perhaps investors were reevaluating yesterday's quarterly cash flow report.
Here's how the rest of today's top shares landed the plane:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.75 | 3.56% |
| Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) | $2.70 | 2.66% |
| Kelsian Group Ltd (ASX: KLS) | $4.21 | 2.18% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $1.31 | 1.95% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $1.97 | 1.81% |
| Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) | $27.64 | 1.80% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $21.46 | 1.66% |
| Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) | $25.59 | 1.63% |
| Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) | $28.30 | 1.54% |
| Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd (ASX: BEN) | $12.30 | 1.49% |
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.
