Well, it was a rough end to a tough week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Friday.
After falling every single day since Monday, the ASX 200 made it four for four losses in a row today, saving the worst until last with a horrid 1.81% drop. That leaves the index at 7,948.2 points as we head into the weekend.
This rather depressing conclusion to the Australian trading week comes after a bearish morning of trade over on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was again in red territory, falling 0.99%.
It was worse for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which tanked 2.61%.
But let's grit our teeth and return to the local markets now for a look at what the various ASX sectors were doing today.
Winners and losers
There was only one sector that escaped today's carnage without a loss. But more on that soon.
Leading the sectors off the proverbial cliff this Friday were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) crashed by an awful 3.15% this session.
Tech stocks weren't much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) plunging 3.04%.
Financial shares were sold off heavily too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) suffered a 2.49% sell-down today.
Gold shares were no safe haven. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) ended up tanking a flat 2% this Friday.
Communications stocks followed gold miners, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 1.99% dive.
Energy shares had another disastrous day. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw 1.91% wiped from its value.
We could say the same for consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) cratering by 1.85%.
Healthcare shares joined the losers list as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lost a chunky 1.28% this session.
Industrial stocks only made a slight improvement on that, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.16% slump.
Utility shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) retreated by a meaty 1.02% by the closing bell.
The final losers were mining shares, not that you'd know it by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.92% slide.
Our only green corner of the market today was consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) bucked the trend, rising 0.35%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top today was ASX financial stock Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL). Insignia shares shot 9.86% higher to finish at $4.68 each.
This market-defying leap came after the company revealed it has received not one, but two new takeover offers at $5 a share.
Here are the other shares that escaped the storm most intact today:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL) | $4.68 | 9.86% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $2.21 | 4.74% |
| Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) | $7.13 | 2.89% |
| Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) | $6.96 | 1.75% |
| Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT) | $19.76 | 1.70% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $52.05 | 1.19% |
| Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) | $34.67 | 1.08% |
| Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) | $15.23 | 1.06% |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $3.04 | 1.00% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $10.15 | 0.89% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
