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.
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.
