The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a dramatic sell-off over the past month.
The benchmark index fell 9.43% from its record high on 14 February to what may have been the bottom last Thursday.
That's awfully close to an official market correction, which is defined as a 10% fall from the most recent peak.
A potential turnaround began last Friday, with the ASX 200 trading in the green for three consecutive days now.
The ASX 200 is currently at 7,861.9 points, up 0.099% for the day and up 1.4% since Thursday's close.
Time will tell whether this is the beginning of a rebound or a blip on the way to a lower point.
Meantime, it's interesting to look back over the past month to see how each of the 11 market sectors has fared during the sell-off.
Some sectors have shown more resilience than others.
This is helpful information to keep in mind when constructing a portfolio.
Ideally, you want to have some stocks in your portfolio that are considered defensive.
Defensive stocks tend to do all right in any economic conditions, and they often survive downturns better than their peers.
So, what can we learn from this most recent market sell-off?
Surprise! The most resilient ASX 200 sector GAINED value
The ASX 200 sector that weathered the market sell-off best was utilities. Even more surprisingly, the sector gained value.
Utilities are considered somewhat of a safe-haven sector.
The sector is comprised of just 21 companies, most of which are electricity, gas, or water suppliers.
Utilities companies tend to produce reliable earnings in all types of economic conditions, which contributes to their share price stability.
The second-smallest sector, communications (59 stocks), delivered the second-best level of resilience with only a minor fall in value.
Let's take a look at how each sector performed between the market peak of 14 February and the potential trough last Thursday.
Here's how the 11 ASX 200 market sectors performed
We rank the sectors from best to worst.
Utilities
The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 2.2% during the market sell-off between 14 February and 13 March.
The Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) share price fell 1.3% over the period.
Communications
The S&P/ASX 200 Communications Index (ASX: XTJ) fell 2.5% during the market sell-off.
News Corporation CDI (ASX: NWS) shares descended 11.9% during the period.
Healthcare
The S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) fell 5.7% during the market sell-off.
Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) shares dropped 10.3% over the period.
The CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) share price dipped 3.3%.
Consumer Staples
The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) fell 5.8% during the market sell-off.
Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) fell 16.5% over the period.
Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) shares fell 9.3%.
Industrials
The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) fell 6.1% during the market sell-off.
ASX airline share Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) fell 5.7% during this time.
Materials
The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) dropped 6.5% during the market sell-off.
The BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) share price fell 6.6% over the period.
Iron ore pure-play Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) shares lost 18.8% of their value.
Real estate
The S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate Index (ASX: XPJ) declined 9% during the market sell-off.
Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) shares dropped by 12.9% over the period.
Energy
The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) fell 10% during the market sell-off.
ASX coal mining share Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) descended 7.8%.
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) shares fell 7.5%.
Consumer discretionary
The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) fell 12% during the market sell-off.
Shares in the Mexican restaurant franchisor Guzman Y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) dropped 18.6%.
Financials
The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) fell 12.8% during the market sell-off.
The Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) share price lost 14.5% of its value over the same time frame.
Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) shares fell 13%.
Technology
The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) fell 19.4% during the market sell-off.
Shares in social networking app owner Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) fell 14.5% over the period.
