It was a tempered day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Thursday, as investors pulled back from yesterday's all-time highs. By the time trading finished up this session, the ASX 200 had retreated by 0.14%, leaving the index at 8,831.4 points.
This rather insignificant day for the Australian markets follows a more enthusiastic night on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) fared decently, ticking up by 0.18%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was far more exciting, jumping 1.21% higher.
But let's get back to ASX shares now, and dig a little deeper into what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this Thursday.
Winners and losers
There were plenty of both winners and losers on the index today.
Starting with the latter, somewhat ironically, it was healthcare stocks that were hardest hit. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was slammed today, tanking 1.16%.
Industrial shares had a tough one too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) plunging 0.94%.
Financial stocks fared a little better. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) lost 0.29% of its value this session.
Utilities shares were in the same ballpark, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.25% dive.
Our final losers this Thursday were communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slipped 0.07% by the closing bell.
Turning to the winners now, it was again gold shares that stole the show, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring 1.17% higher.
Consumer discretionary stocks had a ball as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) banked a 0.89% gain this Thursday.
Tech stocks ran hot too, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.4% rise.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) enjoyed a 0.39% bounce.
Energy shares joined the ASX party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) lifting 0.19%.
Consumer staples stocks were at the party as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) rose 0.14% by the closing bell.
Mining shares round out the winner's list this Thursday, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.12% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
This Thursday's top stock came down to gold miner Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX).
Westgold stock rose a confident 5.07% today to close at $2.90. This gain came after the miner released some pleasing guidance for the 2026 financial year.
Here are the other top stocks tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) | $2.90 | 5.07% |
| AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) | $1.75 | 4.79% |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $1.78 | 4.11% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $1.77 | 3.81% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.42 | 3.70% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $6.62 | 3.44% |
| Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) | $1.66 | 3.43% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $17.55 | 3.17% |
| Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) | $12.74 | 3.07% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $0.89 | 2.89% |
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.
