It was a disappointing Wednesday session for the Australian stock markets today. After resetting its record high yesterday, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) pulled back this session, sliding 0.6% lower by the closing bell. That leaves the ASX 200 at 8,827.1 points.
This day of consolidation for the ASX follows a far more euphoric night over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was on fire, galloping 1.1% upwards.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more jubilant, rocketing 1.39%.
But time now to return to the local markets and take a deeper dive into what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this hump day.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's losses, we had more winners than losers today.
Leading the losers though were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) had a shocker, cratering by a hefty 2.77%.
Financial stocks also had a shocker, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) tanking by 2.6%.
Energy shares were left out in the cold as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw its value plummet 0.96%.
Tech stocks had a rough time of it too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.46% slide.
Our last losers were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) took a 0.27% hit this Wednesday.
That's it for the red sectors, though. Turning to the green ones, it was gold stocks that led the push higher, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 1.47% surge.
Broader mining shares burned brightly, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) saw a 0.97% jump this session.
Healthcare stocks also had a great day, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s lift up 0.95%.
Consumer staples shares weren't far behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) enjoyed a 0.89% bounce this hump day.
Communications stocks came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) rising 0.68%.
Following communications stocks, we had industrial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) ended up adding 0.67% to its total this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were our final green sector, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.07% gain.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best index performer was aluminium stock Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI). Alcoa shares exploded 7.02% higher this hump day to close at $48.46 each.
This jump came despite no fresh news from the company.
Here's how the other winners from this session landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $48.46 | 7.02% |
| Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) | $11,62 | 5.64% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $43.00 | 5.47% |
| Clarity Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: CU6) | $3.61 | 5.25% |
| Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL) | $7.90 | 5.05% |
| Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK) | $22.23 | 4.86% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $10.17 | 4.20% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $7.99 | 3.90% |
| Nuix Ltd (ASX: NXL) | $2.43 | 3.40% |
| Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) | $6.21 | 3.33% |
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.
