The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a rough day of trading this Thursday, reversing some of the pleasing gains we've seen this week so far. By the time the markets closed, the ASX 200 had retreated by a substantial 0.45%, leaving the index at 8,348.7 points.
Today's miserly session on the ASX comes after a far rougher night up on the US markets overnight (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a big sell-off, losing 1.91% of its value.
It wasn't quite as savage for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which dropped 1.41%.
Let's get back to the Australian markets now for a checkup on the various ASX sectors' performances this Thursday.
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Winners and losers
As one would expect, today's session saw far more red sectors than green ones.
Leading the losers were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a shocker this Thursday, tanking 1.64%.
Energy shares were on the chopping block too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) cratering by 1.39%.
Consumer discretionary stocks were left out in the cold as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) plunged down 1.06% this session.
Financial shares also faced selling pressure, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.79% dive.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) came next. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) saw its value drop 0.78% today.
Industrial stocks fared a little better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) dipping 0.32%.
Healthcare shares were in that ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sank by 0.31% at the closing bell.
Consumer staples stocks halved that loss, as you'll see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.15% retreat.
Communications shares were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lost 0.13% of its value.
Our final losers were utilities stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slipping just 0.01% today.
Turning to the winners now, it was gold shares that were running hottest this Thursday. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw its value soar 3.31%.
Finally, broader mining stocks were our other safe haven, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.74% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winner came in as rare earths miner Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC). Lynas shares vaulted 6.97% higher this Thursday to close up at $8.13 each.
That was despite no news or announcements from the company.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $8.13 | 6.97% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $4.39 | 5.78% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $20.25 | 5.36% |
| Spartan Resources Ltd (ASX: SPR) | $2.19 | 5.29% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $2.62 | 5.22% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.81 | 4.85% |
| Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) | $2.85 | 4.78% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.45 | 3.45% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $7.65 | 2.96% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $0.91 | 2.82% |
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.
