The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) capped off a disappointing week with yet another loss this Friday. After taking a big midday dip, the ASX 200 managed to claw back some ground by market close, but still finished the day 0.21% lower. That leaves the index at 8,505.5 points as we head into the weekend.
This unhappy Friday for ASX shares comes after a mixed night on the American markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) again squandered an early jump to close 0.1% lower.
Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to stay in green territory, inching 0.13% higher.
But let's get back to the local markets and check out how this Friday's session treated the different ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
Leading the losers today were consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) had hit hard this session, tanking by 0.87%.
Its consumer discretionary counterpart was shunned too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) plunging 0.63%.
Financial stocks had a rough day as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had taken a 0.6% dive by the closing bell.
Communications shares also saw some selling, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.43% retreat.
Mining stocks were overlooked by investors today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) ended up sliding 0.17% lower.
We could say the same for real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slipping 0.1%.
Turning to the winners now, it was utilities shares that ran hottest today. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soared by a decisive 0.74% by the time trading wrapped up.
Industrial stocks were in demand as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.62% leap higher.
Gold shares fared identically. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) also saw its value surge by 0.62%.
Healthcare stocks followed close behind, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifting by 0.58%.
Tech shares got a reprieve, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) bounced up 0.5% this Friday.
Finally, energy stocks made the winners cut, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.05% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out ahead of the pack today was financial stock Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP). Zip shares had a blowout day, gaining 5.9% to finish at $2.87 each.
This gain came despite a lack of any new developments out of the company, though.
Here's how the rest of today's top stocks pulled up:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $2.87 | 5.90% |
| NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) | $2.92 | 5.04% |
| Lifestyle Communities Ltd (ASX: LIC) | $6.69 | 4.37% |
| Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) | $24.56 | 3.63% |
| Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL) | $7.48 | 3.03% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $20.26 | 2.84% |
| IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE) | $8.50 | 2.78% |
| Stanmore Resources Ltd (ASX: SMR) | $1.93 | 2.66% |
| Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) | $295.64 | 2.50% |
| Spartan Resources Ltd (ASX: SPR) | $2.07 | 2.48% |
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.
