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.
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.
