The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had a volatile and ultimately unsuccessful Tuesday session today.
After spending time in both positive and negative territory this session, the bears won out in the end, perhaps spurred by a hawkish move from the Reserve Bank this afternoon. The ASX 200 ended up slumping 0.16% by the closing bell, leaving the index at 8,848.8 points.
This disappointing Tuesday session for the local markets comes after a more upbeat night over on the American markets to kick off the trading week.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) saw some buying, rising by 0.15%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even better, jumping 0.48%.
But let's get back ot the ASX now and dive a little deeper into what was going on today amongst the different ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
As you might expect, there were more red sectors than green ones today.
Leading those red sectors were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was smashed this session, cratering 1.59%.
Communications shares had a rough time too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) tanking by 0.94%.
Tech stocks were punished as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) ended up taking a 0.68% dive.
Consumer staples shares couldn't hold an early lead, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.52% dip.
Financial stocks fared similarly. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was sent home 0.51% lighter.
Utilities stocks did a little better, but the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) still lost 0.44%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were unlucky, too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) took a 0.29% hit.
Our next cab off the rank was healthcare shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.15% loss.
Finally, for the losers, we had consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slid 0.1% lower.
Turning to the far less numerous green sectors now, it was mining shares that stood out this Tuesday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soaring 0.89%.
Gold stocks proved to be a safe haven as well. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) added 0.51% to its value.
Finally, industrial shares scraped out a win, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.19% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
The best stock on the index on this final day of September was IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL). IDP shares soared 16.08% this session to finish at $6.57 each.
This came amid a big ASX broker upgrading its outlook on the company.
Here's a look at the other best performers from today:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $6.57 | 16.08% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $4.66 | 5.91% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $2.52 | 4.13% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $13.09 | 3.89% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.15 | 3.15% |
| Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) | $25.98 | 3.10% |
| South32 Ltd (ASX: S32) | $2.74 | 3.01% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $13.23 | 2.88% |
| Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) | $14.27 | 2.74% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $3.88 | 2.65% |
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.
