It was a disappointing end to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and most ASX shares this Friday, with the market giving up an early lead to close lower.
By the time trading wrapped up today, the ASX 200 had given up a 0.6% lead to close 0.43% lower. That leaves the index at 8,514.2 points as we head into the weekend.
This rather miserable end to the Australian trading week follows a far more upbeat night over on the American markets last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a very strong day indeed, rising 0.94%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more optimistic, leaping 0.97%.
But let's get back to the local ASX markets now and discuss what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.
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Winners and losers
As one would expect, there were more losers than winners this Friday.
Leading said losers today were financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had a shocker, cratering by 1.51%.
Healthcare shares weren't much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) plunging 1.41%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were singled out for punishment as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up tanking by 1.26% this session.
Gold stocks continued their recent run of poor form too, illustrated by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 1.08% writedown.
Utilities shares fared similarly. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) saw its value drop 0.97% today.
Consumer staples stocks weren't much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) declining 0.87%.
Industrial shares were also looked over. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) retreated by 0.73%.
Consumer discretionary stocks gave no solace either, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.16% slide.
Energy shares were our final losers today. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) only slipped by a small 0.04% though.
Turning to the winners now, the best place to ride out today's market was in mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) galloping 2.27% higher.
Tech shares were also spared. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) bounced 0.55% higher this Friday.
Finally, communications stocks had more buyers than sellers, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.54% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Aluminium stock Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) was our index winner this Friday, with Alcoa shares climbing a healthy 7.72% to finish the week at $45.91 each.
There hasn't been any fresh news out of Alcoa for a few weeks. Saying that, most ASX mining and resources shares had a great day, as you can see below:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $45.91 | 7.72% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $14.20 | 6.69% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $9.46 | 6.65% |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $2.52 | 5.44% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $4.28 | 5.16% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $14.17 | 5.12% |
| Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX: RIO) | $108.97 | 4.59% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $1.38 | 4.56% |
| Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL) | $3.67 | 4.26% |
| BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) | $37.53 | 3.90% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
