ASX 200 rebounds as investors seek bargains following market sell-off

Every market sector recorded gains last week with consumer staples shares leading the way, up 3.9%.

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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) rebounded last week, rising 1.83% to close at 7,932.1 points on Friday.

Every one of the 11 market sectors recorded gains over the week, with consumer staples the strongest cohort, up 3.9%.

Last week's recovery followed four weeks of falls that left the ASX 200 on the brink of an official market correction.

A correction is defined as a 10% fall from the most recent peak.

The benchmark index fell 9.43% from its record closing high on 14 February to what appears to have been the trough on 13 March.

Global markets fell over the month as concerns rose about US tariffs potentially creating a trade war and sending the US into recession.

Last Thursday, the US Federal Reserve's decision to keep interest rates on hold at 4.25% to 4.5% seemed to lift market sentiment.

In Australia, the news prompted the largest rally in ASX 200 shares in nine weeks.

Investors were also comforted by US Fed Chair Jerome Powell stating that historically, inflation created by tariffs can be "transitory".

Judging by the strength of the market rebound, it appears many ASX 200 investors were prompted to buy the dip last week.

There were plenty of good options, with several ASX 200 blue-chip shares trading at multi-year lows following the sell-off.

And here's a fun fact for you: Did you know that one market sector actually gained value during the sell-off?

Let's recap the week.

ASX consumer staples shares lead the recovery

Let's start our coverage of the ASX 200 consumer staples sector with the supermarket shares.

Last week, the sector's biggest stock, Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), ripped 7.6% higher to finish at $29.93 per share on Friday.

The Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) share price lifted 4.51% to close at $19.46.

Shares in IGA network owner Metcash Ltd (ASX: MTS) rose 4.93% to $3.19 per share on Friday.

Looking at some ASX 200 food and milk shares now…

Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) shares rose 4.4% to $5.24 per share.

Shares in poultry producer Inghams Group Ltd (ASX: ING) lifted 0.3% to $3.12 per share.

Synlait Milk Ltd (ASX: SM1) shares rose 7.7% to 92 cents, while A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) sank 7.1% to $8.13.

Shares in olive oil producer Cobram Estate Olives Ltd (ASX: CBO) fell 1.8% to $1.89 apiece.

Onto the ASX 200 wine shares and alcohol retailers…

The Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) share price slipped 1.3% to finish the week at $9.95.

Shares in BWS and Dan Murphy's owner Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) fell 2.4% to $4.02.

Among the ASX 200 agricultural shares

The Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) share price rose 2.5% to finish the week at $7.02.

Shares in stock feed producer Ridley Corporation Ltd (ASX: RIC) lifted 2.8% to $2.56 per share.

The Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) share price lost 2.7% to close at $6.89 on Friday.

The Australian Agricultural Company Ltd (ASX: AAC) share price fell 4.2% to $1.48.

ASX 200 market sector snapshot

Here's how the 11 market sectors stacked up last week, according to CommSec data.

Over the five trading days:

S&P/ASX 200 market sectorChange last week
Consumer Staples (ASX: XSJ)3.9%
Energy (ASX: XEJ)3.25%
Industrials (ASX: XNJ)2.4%
Utilities (ASX: XUJ)2.23%
Financials (ASX: XFJ)2.22%
A-REIT (ASX: XPJ)1.79%
Healthcare (ASX: XHJ)1.32%
Communication (ASX: XTJ)1.31%
Consumer Discretionary (ASX: XDJ)1.19%
Materials (ASX: XMJ)1.04%
Information Technology (ASX: XIJ)0.76%

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Coles Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended A2 Milk, Elders, and Treasury Wine Estates. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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