This Thursday was yet another red day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and ASX shares in what is turning out to be a rather unfestive leadup to Christmas this week.
After spending the morning pushing shares higher, investors got cold feet just before lunchtime today. By the market close, the ASX 200 had retreated by another 0.28% and closed at 8,330.3 points, marking the third day of losses in a row for the Australian market.
This rough day for ASX stocks follows a mixed morning over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had another red day, losing 0.22%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) more than made up for that with a euphoric 1.77% rise to a new all-time high.
But let's return to the local markets now and examine what happened with the different ASX sectors this session.
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Winners and losers
Only a couple of sectors managed to escape today's trading with a win.
But first, let's talk about the losers.
Leading the markets lower today were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was singled out for punishment, tanking 1.12%.
Communications stocks also endured a rough one, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) plunging 0.99% lower.
Industrial shares weren't in fine form either. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) suffered a 0.76% slump.
Healthcare stocks performed a little better though, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s loss of 0.51%.
Utilities shares finished in the red as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lost 0.39% of its value.
Consumer discretionary stocks were in the same ballpark, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) diving 0.36%.
Mining shares didn't have a great time either. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) dipped 0.3%.
Consumer staples stocks came in right behind that, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.27% decline.
Gold shares weren't much of a safe haven. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) retreated 0.15%.
Our final losers today were ASX energy stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) slipping by 0.04%.
Turning now to the winners, tech shares came on top today. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) managed to shoot 0.4% higher.
The only other green sector was financial stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.08% inch higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best share to have owned was financial services company Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL). Insignia shares had a blinder today, exploding 11.11% higher to close at $3.40 each.
This move came despite no obvious catalyst, with no news or announcements out of Insignia this Thursday.
Here's how the rest of today's best stocks tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL) | $3.40 | 11.11% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $1.34 | 9.88% |
| Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) | $154.21 | 4.42% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.38 | 4.11% |
| Coronado Global Resources Inc(ASX: CRN) | $0.90 | 4.05% |
| IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) | $4.91 | 4.03% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $2.36 | 3.96% |
| HMC Capital Ltd (ASX: HMC) | $12.15 | 3.85% |
| Lifestyle Communities Ltd (ASX: LIC) | $8.51 | 3.65% |
| Spark New Zealand Ltd (ASX: SPK) | $2.63 | 3.14% |
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.
