It was a rocky start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Monday. After bouncing around for most of the morning, investors got colder feet the longer the afternoon went on. By the time the markets closed, the ASX 200 had lost 0.58% and shut up shop at 8,295.1 points.
This lacklustre beginning to the trading week follows a much more upbeat end to the American week last Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a fantastic time, rising 0.78%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't quite as enthusiastic, but still managed to jump 0.52%.
Let's return to this week and the local markets now and check out how the different ASX sectors navigated today's trading conditions.
Winners and losers
There were only three sectors that eked out a rise this Monday. But more on those in a moment.
Firstly, it was energy shares that were the hardest hit this session. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) plunged by a nasty 1.82% today.
Broader mining stocks had a hard time too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanking 1.55%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't quite as on the nose. Even so, the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) took a 0.67% dive this Monday.
Tech shares followed REITs, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.41% retreat.
Financial stocks weren't far off that. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was walked back 0.38% today.
Then we had healthcare shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) losing 0.28% of its value.
Industrial stocks fared similarly. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was sent home 0.2% lighter this session.
Consumer staples shares came next, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.13% slide.
Its consumer discretionary counterpart was our final loser of the day. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slipped down 0.12% by the closing bell.
Turning to the winners now, gold stocks were today's safe haven, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring 2.08% higher.
Utilities shares rode out the storm, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) saw a 0.31% improvement by the end of the day.
Our final winners were communications stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.22% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best share was gold miner Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM). Capricorn stock rose by a healthy 3.44% this Monday to close at $8.71 a share.
There wasn't any news out of Capricorn today, although most ASX gold stocks had a strong session, as you'll see below:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $8.71 | 3.44% |
| PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) | $12.59 | 3.37% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $4.60 | 3.37% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) |
$8.12 | 3.18% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $3.94 | 2.60% |
| AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) | $35.54 | 2.57% |
| Spartan Resources Ltd (ASX: SPR) | $2.00 | 2.56% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $79.39 | 2.54% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.43 | 2.38% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $0.88 | 2.33% |
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.
