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.
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.
