The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a rollercoaster of a session this Thursday, giving up several stints in positive territory to close lower.
By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had recorded a loss of 0.31% for the day. That leaves the index at 8,565.1 points.
This jumpy session for ASX shares follows a similarly jumpy night over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) also gave up an early lead to record a 0.0026% loss.
Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, closing 0.5% lower.
But let's get back to the ASX now and dig a little deeper into what was going on amongst the different ASX sectors this Thursday.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's fall, we had a fairly even split between the red and green sectors today.
Leading the former were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was shunned this session, tanking by 1%.
Financial stocks were also left out in the cold, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) plunging 0.52%.
Consumer discretionary shares weren't too far off that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) ended up diving 0.47% today.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in a similar ballpark, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.42% drop.
That's it for the losers, though. Turning to the green sectors, it was gold stocks that topped the proverbial class. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rocketed by a strong 2.56% this Thursday.
Tech shares had another strong day too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) banking a 0.66% rise.
Communications stocks came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifted by 0.43% by the closing bell.
Utilities shares were right behind that, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.41% bounce.
Industrial stocks weren't left out. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its value increase by 0.37% this session.
We can say the same for healthcare shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) rising 0.31%.
Consumer staples stocks were right on those coattails, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) gained a decent 0.29% today.
Finally, energy shares managed to stay above water, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.02% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
The top stock this Thursday came down to gold miner Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD). Genesis shares rocketed a happy 6.03% this session to close at $4.75 a share.
There wasn't any news out of the company itself. But most ASX gold shares had a strong day, as you can see below:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $4.75 | 6.03% |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $2.34 | 4.93% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $9.55 | 4.71% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $4.92 | 4.24% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $2.32 | 4.04% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $3.76 | 3.87% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.43 | 3.61% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.83 | 3.28% |
| NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) | $2.98 | 3.11% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $83.21 | 2.98% |
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.
