The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured another tough session this Tuesday, with the losses that we saw yesterday to kick off the week accelerating.
The RBA's decision to cut interest rates today for the first time in more than four years wasn't enough to save the ASX 200 from a 0.66% loss, leaving the index at a flat 8,481 points.
This unhappy day for ASX investors comes after a mixed start to the American trading week this morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had another rough day, dropping 0.37%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) agian went the other way, rising by 0.41%.
Let's return to the local markets now and see how the various ASX sectors handled this Tuesday's tough trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
As you would expect, we had far more red sectors than green ones this session.
Leading the former were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was punished this Tuesday, plunging 1.44%.
Financial shares had another rough session too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) crashing 1.4% lower.
Consumer discretionary stocks were sold off as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slumped 1.1% today.
Gold shares weren't much better, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 1% dive.
Industrial stocks also had a nasty day. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) took a 0.86% hit this session.
We could say something similar for utility stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) losing 0.67% of its value.
Mining shares lost steam as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slid 0.25% lower by the end of trading.
Consumer staples stocks were our final losers, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.1% slip.
Turning to the winners now, the best sector from today's trading was healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had a lovely day, shooting up 0.67%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were spared from the sell-off too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) lifting 0.28%.
Communications stocks also got a get-out-of-jail card. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) managed to enjoy a 0.13% bump this session.
Finally, tech shares only just got out in one piece, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.13% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's index winner was embattled casino operator Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR). Star shares surged by another 14.81% today to close at 15.5 cents apiece.
There wasn't any fresh news out of the company this Tuesday, so this looks like a continuation of the momentum that we saw yesterday upon the news of a potential new debt financing deal.
Here's how the rest of today's best stocks stood at the closing bell:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) | $0.155 | 14.81% |
| HMC Capital Ltd (ASX: HMC) | $10.88 | 9.90% |
| Audinate Group Ltd (ASX: AD8) | $10.41 | 8.55% |
| Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) | $2.10 | 8.53% |
| Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) | $16.42 | 5.32% |
| Johns Lyng Group Ltd (ASX: JLG) | $4.07 | 4.09% |
| ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB) | $39.88 | 3.83% |
| HUB24 Ltd (ASX: HUB) | $84.39 | 3.74% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $2.54 | 3.67% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $7.31 | 2.67% |
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.
