The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) gave up an early lead to finish decidedly lower this Wednesday, perhaps a consequence of the latest inflation numbers out this morning. By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had slumped 0.13%, leaving the index at 8,396.9 points.
This unhappy hump day for ASX shares follows a far more upbeat return to trading for the American markets overnight after their long weekend break.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a strong session, shooting 1.78% higher.
It was even better for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which rocketed up 2.47%.
But let's get back to the local markets now for a look at what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors today.
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Winners and losers
As one would expect, there were more red sectors than green ones this session.
Leading those red sectors were financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was sent packing, tanking by 0.7% today.
Mining shares had a day to forget as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) diving 0.39%.
Consumer staples stocks were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) ended up losing 0.38% of its value this session.
Healthcare shares weren't much better, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.29% dip.
Gold stocks were unlucky as well. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw a 0.17% slide this Wednesday.
Our final losers were industrial shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) slipping 0.1% by the closing bell.
Turning to the winners now, it was energy stocks that led the charge higher. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) soared 2.22% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) had a great day too, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 1.29% vault higher.
Tech shares ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had galloped up 1.22% by the close of trade.
Utilities stocks came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) gaining 0.62%.
Communications shares saw some demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) banked a 0.3% improvement today.
Our final winners were consumer discretionary stocks, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.13% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best share to have owned on the index was Web Travel Group Ltd (ASX: WEB). The travel stock managed to book a 12.39% boost to close at $5.26 a share.
This happy gain came after Web reported its full-year results for its FY2025, which clearly impressed the market.
Here's how the rest of today's top stocks pulled up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Web Travel Group Ltd (ASX: WEB) | $5.26 | 12.39% |
| Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) | $5.44 | 6.88% |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $96.19 | 4.86% |
| Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) | $21.49 | 3.82% |
| Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL) | $2.52 | 3.70% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $13.55 | 3.51% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $1.69 | 3.36% |
| Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS) | $22.12 | 3.22% |
| EVT Ltd (ASX: EVT) | $16.04 | 3.22% |
| Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) | $2.30 | 3.14% |
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.
