The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) snatched defeat from the jaws of victory this Wednesday, erasing an early lead to finish in red territory.
After rising as much as 0.4% in early trading this session, the ASX 200 ended up closing 0.22% lower today leaving the index at 8,213.3 points.
This disappointing hump day for ASX investors comes after another mixed session up on the American markets this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) banked another gain, lifting by 0.52%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) again went the other way, losing an additional 0.23% of its value.
But let's return to ASX shares and take stock of how the various ASX sectors traversed today's rather wild trading conditions.
Winners and losers
With the losses of the broader market, we also saw more losers than winners this Wednesday.
Leading the losers were once again tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) notched up its third wooden spoon of the week, tanking by 1.25% today.
Communications stocks were punished, too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) cratering 1.21%.
Industrial shares were also in investors' bad books. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) retreated by 0.65%.
Healthcare stocks were right on the industrials' tail, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.64% decline.
Utilities shares had a rough trot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) dropped 0.47%.
Energy stocks were in a similar ballpark, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) losing 0.45%.
Consumer staples shares were also left out in the cold. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was downgraded by 0.2%.
Our final red sector was financial shares, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.04% slide.
Turning to the winners now, the greens were led by gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was on fire this hump day, receiving a 1.2% surge.
Consumer discretionary shares also had a decent showing this Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) adding 0.19%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) got a boost as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) lifted by 0.13%.
Our final winners were mining shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.01% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top stock on the index was lithium share Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR). Liontown shares rose by a confident 7.41% today to 58 cents each.
This gain came despite no fresh news or announcements out of the company today, or indeed this week.
Here are the other shares that you wish you owned this Wednesday:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.58 | 7.41% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $12.75 | 4.42% |
| Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP) | $4.75 | 4.40% |
| Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) | $40.00 | 4.36% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.85 | 4.29% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $2.29 | 4.09% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $36.75 | 2.74% |
| Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC) | $5.20 | 2.56% |
| Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) | $306.95 | 2.50% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $5.44 | 2.45% |
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
