The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) pulled back from the new all-time high we saw yesterday this session, recording a slight fall for this Thursday's trading.
By the time trading closed, the ASX 200 had slipped by a nervous 0.16%, leaving the index at 8,742.8 points.
This tentative showing from the Australian markets today came after a similarly anxious night up on Wall Street last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a tough time of it, losing 0.38% of its value.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to stay in green territory, inching up 0.15%.
But let's return to Australian shares now and check out how today's moody market affected the various ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
Despite the loss of the broader market today, only a handful of sectors actually went backwards.
Leading those were mining stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had a shocker today, tanking by 2.56%.
Gold shares were almost as bad, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) plunging 2.52%.
Energy stocks were next but fared far better. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up diving 0.45%.
Our final losers were utilities shares, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.03% slip.
Turning to the green sectors now, it was tech stocks that led the charge higher. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) rocketed up a confident 1.35% this Thursday.
Consumer discretionary shares also had a great day, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) surging 1.11% higher.
Financial stocks followed. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) bounced up 0.47% this session.
Communications shares ran pretty hot too, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.43% lift.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) eked out a gain as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended up recording a rise of 0.25%.
Healthcare stocks made the winners cut, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) adding 0.08% to its value.
Consumer staples shares also managed a nervous gain. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was pushed up by an incidental 0.04%.
Finally, industrial stocks round out our list, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.02% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top this Thursday was healthcare stock Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU). Neuren shares soared 3.97% higher this session to close at $17.29 each.
There wasn't any news out of the company today to explain this move, although it did get some love from an ASX broker this week.
Here's how the other top performers pulled up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $17.29 | 3.97% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $40.16 | 3.24% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $15.06 | 3.22% |
| Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) | $27.55 | 3.11% |
| IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE) | $7.94 | 2.98% |
| Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) | $24.47 | 2.60% |
| Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) | $19.62 | 2.45% |
| Aristocrat Leisure Ltd (ASX: ALL) | $70.04 | 2.35% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $3.23 | 2.22% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $1.86 | 2.20% |
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.
