Well, it was a rather woeful Wednesday session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) today, with investors decisively sending the markets lower.
The ASX 200 spent all day in red territory and ended up closing 0.61% lower. That leaves the index at 8,538.6 points.
This disappointing hump day for the local markets comes after a more mixed Tuesday session up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) continued to sell off, losing another 0.37% of its value.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more optimistic, rising a tentative 0.029%.
But let's return to the ASX and examine how today's difficult trading conditions filtered down into the various ASX sectors.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
The ASX sea was rough today, with only a handful of sectors escaping with a rise.
But first, it was gold shares that were hardest hit this Wednesday. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was hit hard, plunging by a horrid 4.77%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) had a tough day too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) tanking 1.54%.
Mining stocks weren't in favour either. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) cratered by 1.31% this session.
Consumer staples shares got a cold shoulder from investors, too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 1.22% slump.
Tech stocks were also shunned. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) took a 0.75% dive this hump day.
Industrial shares came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) retreating 0.58%.
Healthcare stocks were in that ballpark as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) ended up tumbling down 0.51%.
Financial shares were our last losers, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.34% dip.
Turning to the winners now, it was utilities stocks that provided the safest harbour. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) surged up a healthy 1.06% this Wednesday.
Energy shares were also saved, but barely, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) lifting by 0.04%.
Communications stocks fared identically. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) also rose by 0.04%.
Finally, consumer discretionary shares round out our list with a small rise, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.02% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best stock came down to lithium producer Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR). Liontown shares had a great day, soaring 5.63% higher to close at 75 cents a share.
This jump came despite no fresh news or announcements out of the company today.
Here are the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.75 | 5.63% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $25.39 | 5.62% |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $2.77 | 4.92% |
| Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI) | $4.94 | 4.00% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $4.06 | 3.57% |
| Orica Ltd (ASX: ORI) | $20.40 | 2.93% |
| Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) | $26.21 | 2.91% |
| IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) | $4.92 | 2.07% |
| Nine Entertainment Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) | $1.66 | 2.80% |
| Lottery Corp Ltd (ASX: TLC) | $5.37 | 1.90% |
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.
