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.
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.
