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.
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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.
