It was a wild return to trading for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) after the Easter long weekend this Tuesday. The ASX 200 initially plunged this morning before paring back most of its losses in afternoon trading, closing 0.031% lower. That leaves the index at 7,816.7 points.
This bumpy start to another short trading week comes after a rough night over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn't in a festive mood, plunging 2.48%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) performed very similarly, shrinking by 2.55%.
Let's get back to the local markets now and take a look at what was happening with the different ASX sectors this Tuesday.
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Winners and losers
We had plenty of both risers and fallers today.
Leading the fallers were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was singled out for punishment this session, tanking 2.26%.
Energy shares also had a rough day, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) cratering 1.97%.
Healthcare stocks weren't let off the hook either. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) ended up plunging 1.35% lower today.
Industrial shares were on the wrong side of the aisle as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.22% fall.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) saw 0.94% wiped from its value.
Following REITs we had consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) losing 0.76%.
Communications shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was sent home 0.63% lower this Tuesday.
Utilities stocks were our last losers, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.25% slide.
Turning to the winners now, it was gold shares that best weathered the selling pressure. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soared a significant 2.89% higher.
Financial stocks had a great day as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) surging up 1.23%.
Consumer staples shares were also in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) saw its value jump 0.33% this session.
Finally, mining stocks scraped a win, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.19% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
The best share from this Tuesday's trading was gold miner West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF). West African stock rose a healthy 6.61% to close at $2.58 a share.
There wasn't any news out of the company itself. However, most gold shares had a phenomenal day thanks to yet another new record high for the precious metal.
Here are the other stocks that made the biggest waves today:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $2.58 | 6.61% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $8.87 | 4.85% |
| Commonwealth Bank of Australia (ASX: CBA) | $168.00 | 4.19% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $4.90 | 3.81% |
| De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) | $2.73 | 3.41% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.94 | 3.16% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $23.01 | 2.95% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $3.35 | 2.76% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $3.59 | 2.57% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $4.44 | 2.30% |
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.
