It was a disappointing day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Thursday, with the index giving up an early lead this morning to close lower.
By the time the markets closed, the ASX 200 had inched down by 0.04% to close at a flat 8,323 points.
This red session for ASX shares follows a mixed night over on the American markets this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) recovered from an early dip to close 0.32% higher.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't so lucky and sank 0.11%.
But let's return to the local markets now and see what the different ASX sectors were up to amid the broader market's moves.
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Winners and losers
Despite the decline of the overall index, quite a few sectors still gained this Thursday. But more on those in a moment.
Leading today's losers were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) tanked 0.82% by the closing bell.
Its consumer staples counterpart was close behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) plunged 0.68% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) had another rough one as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) falling 0.41%.
Healthcare stocks were shunned as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) dropped 0.32%.
Utilities shares were also left out, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.19% retreat.
Industrial stocks fared a little better. However, the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) still took a 0.04% step backwards.
Mining shares round out our losers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slipping 0.03%.
Turning to the winenrs now, yet again it was gold stocks that led the charge higher. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) shot up 1.26% this Thursday.
Financial shares also had a great session, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.31% uptick.
ASX communications stocks found themselves on the right side of the ledger too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) jumped up 0.18%.
Tech shares fared decently, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lifting 0.12%.
As did energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) inched 0.09% higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winner was healthcare stock Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG). Sigma shares vaulted a comfortable 4.31% higher to finish at $2.42 each today.
As we covered today, this gain seems to be a continuation of the momentum leading up to Sigma's merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse.
Here are the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) | $2.42 | 4.31% |
| Amcor plc (ASX: AMC) | $16.02 | 3.29% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.90 | 3.27% |
| Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) | $22.12 | 3.17% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $5.29 | 3.00% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $17.56 | 2.87% |
| Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) | $37.79 | 2.83% |
| Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) | $0.21 | 2.44% |
| Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) | $27.11 | 2.15% |
| ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) | $15.66 | 2.15% |
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.
