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.
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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.
