It was a disappointing Thursday session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares today. After whipsawing over the trading day, the ASX 200 ended up closing slightly lower, losing 0.088% to finish at 8,523.7 points.
This timid session for the ASX follows a similarly shaky night up on Wall Street overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up an early lead to close 0.1% lower.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared better, managing a 0.13% rise.
But let's return to the local markets now and take a deeper look at what was happening in the various ASX sectors today.
Winners and losers
Despite the market's overall loss, we still saw some pockets of goodwill. But more on those in a moment.
Firstly, it was once again gold shares that were hardest hit. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had another tough day, cratering by 1.89%.
Broader mining stocks were hit almost as hard, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanking 1.78%.
Tech shares joined the pity party. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) saw its value cut by 1.14% this session.
We can say the same for healthcare stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.01% plunge.
Utilities shares were also at the party. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) suffered a 0.73% swing this Thursday.
Energy stocks reversed some of the gains we've seen this week too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) slumping 0.55%.
Communications shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had taken a 0.18% step down by the closing bell.
Industrial stocks couldn't pull off a win either, as you'll see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.09% slide.
That's it for the red sectors, though. Turning to the winners now, financial shares shone the brightest. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) surged by a healthy 0.92% this session.
Consumer discretionary stocks ran hot as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lifting by 0.61%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) bounced 0.44% higher by the market close.
Finally, consumer staples shares had a decent showing, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.3% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
This Thursday's top stock was gaming company Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH). Tabcorp shares rose by a robust 2.76% to finish at 74.5 cents apiece today. That's despite no obvious catalysts or news out of the company.
Here's a look at how the rest of today's best tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.745 | 2.76% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $3.76 | 2.45% |
| Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) | $19.46 | 3.92% |
| Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) | $23.70 | 2.16% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $1.70 | 2.10% |
| GPT Group (ASX: GPT) | $5.05 | 2.02% |
| HomeCo Daily Needs REIT (ASX: HDN) | $1.33 | 1.92% |
| Westpac Banking Corp (ASX: WBC) | $33.59 | 1.73% |
| HMC Capital Ltd (ASX: HMC) | $4.78 | 1.70% |
| Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) | $288.43 | 1.64% |
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.
