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.
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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.
