The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a rather savage pullback this Wednesday, as investors pulled back after the strong start to the week that we saw over the past two trading days. As of today's market close, the ASX 200 had dropped by a hefty 0.92%. That leaves the index at 8,764.5 points.
This back-to-earth hump day session for the Australian markets comes after a similarly negative night up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up an early lead to close 0.19% lower.
Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, slumping 0.95%.
But let's return to the ASX now and take a closer look at how the different ASX sectors managed today's tough trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's falls, we saw a couple of ASX sectors ride out the storm. But more on those in a moment.
Firstly, it was financial stocks that were hardest hit this hump day. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had endured a 1.76% rout by the time the markets closed.
Healthcare shares were also slammed, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) cratering 1.29%.
Tech stocks had a day to forget as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) tanked 0.93% this Wednesday.
We could say the same for consumer discretionary shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.81% plunge.
Industrial stocks came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) left today's session 0.65% lighter.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were just behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) diving 0.63%.
Communications shares weren't finding many buyers either. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had dipped down 0.43% by the closing bell.
Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.3% decline.
Nor were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) slid down 0.18% today.
Broader mining stocks were our final losers this Wednesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slipping 0.11% lower.
Turning to the winners now, it was utilities shares that rode out the storm best. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) managed to rise 0.53%.
Our other green sector was energy stocks, as you can gather by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.26% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Defence stock DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) was our best performer this Wednesday. Droneshield shares rocketedd 6.21% higher today to close up at $3.76 each.
This appears to be a follow-up to the announcement the company made yesterday regarding its R&D expansion.
Here's how the other top performers pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $3.76 | 6.21% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $2.41 | 5.24% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $40.57 | 4.51% |
| DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) | $2.77 | 2.59% |
| Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR) | $4.19 | 2.20% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $2.05 | 1.99% |
| Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) | $6.23 | 1.96% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.63 | 1.88% |
| Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN) | $2.72 | 1.87% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $7.06 | 1.54% |
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.
