The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured another red session this Tuesday, making this trading week a rather bleak one thus far. As of today's market close, the ASX 200 had recorded a loss of 0.63%. That drags the index down to 8,793.6 points.
This troubling Tuesday session for the Australian markets follows a more upbeat start to the American trading week last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, banking a 0.25% rise.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, jumping up 0.45%.
Let's return to the local markets now and examine what was happening in the different ASX sectors.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
Only a handful of sectors escaped today's selling pressure. But more on those in a moment.
Firstly, it was again energy stocks that were hardest hit this Tuesday. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up plunging 0.99% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were on the nose too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) tanking 0.91%.
Healthcare shares were also punished. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw its value crater by 0.88% today.
Industrial stocks had a rough time as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.74% dive.
Financial shares weren't riding to the rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) saw its value cut by 0.68%.
Communications stocks didn't get much love either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) dipping 0.64%.
Mining shares saw some selling as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had taken a 0.35% hit by the closing bell.
Our final losers were consumer staples stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.19% slide.
Turning to the winners now, it was gold shares that took out the top spot. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soared 1.32% higher this Tuesday.
Tech stocks saw some decent demand as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lifting 0.41%.
Consumer discretionary shares fared well, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) ticked up by 0.27% this session.
Finally, utilities stocks managed to find a few buyers, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.06% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top stock came down to IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL). IDP shares lifted by a hefty 4.52% today to close at $5.55 each.
Although there wasn't any company-specific news out of IDP this Tuesday, perhaps investors were spurred to buy after some of the company's management picked up extra shares.
Here are the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $5.55 | 4.52% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $0.625 | 4.17% |
| Imdex Ltd (ASX: IMD) | $3.18 | 3.58% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $11.19 | 3.52% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $1.04 | 3.50% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $14.55 | 3.19% |
| Elders Ltd (ASX: ELD) | $7.89 | 3.14% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $4.22 | 2.93% |
| Reliance Worldwide Corporation Ltd (ASX: RWC) | $4.24 | 2.91% |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $14.81 | 2.78% |
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.
