It was a sour end to the trading week this Friday, as investors couldn't quite hold onto the optimism that we saw yesterday. By the close of trading, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) had sunk by a hefty 0.66%. That leaves the ASX 200 at 8,769.7 points as we head into the weekend.
Today's pessimism on the local markets follows an even nastier morning on the American stock exchanges.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was hit hard, dropping 0.84% overnight.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was smashed even harder, tumbling 1.9%.
But let's return to the ASX now and examine how today's selling pressure affected the various ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
We certainly had more red sectors than green ones this session.
Leading those red sectors were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) crashed another 2.25% lower by the close of trading.
Financial shares had another tough one too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) sinking 1.27%.
We could say the same for consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) tanked 1.05% today.
Industrial shares were punished as well, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.89% dive.
Mining stocks joined the losers' party. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was sent home 0.53% lower.
Our final red sector was gold shares, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) sliding down 0.4%.
Turning to the winners now, communications stocks rode out the storm. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) shot up 0.72% today.
Consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) adding 0.61% to its total.
Energy stocks also thrived. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) went home 0.51% heavier.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) mirrored that performance, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.51% gain.
Utilities shares turned in a decent report card, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) rose by 0.23%.
Finally, healthcare stocks only just got out in tact, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.03% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Finishing the trading week in first spot on the index today was insurance stock AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB).
AUB shares surged by a helathy 6.29% this session to close at $38.89. This was possibly due to continued developments in this company's potential acquisition by Danish firm EQT.
Here's how the rest of today's winners tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) | $38.89 | 6.29% |
| ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX) | $59.68 | 3.77% |
| News Corporation (ASX: NWS) | $46.35 | 3.02% |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $13.52 | 2.89% |
| IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) | $3.60 | 2.86% |
| PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) | $15.23 | 2.84% |
| TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG) | $5.65 | 2.73% |
| Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) | $6.32 | 2.60% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $18.58 | 2.54% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $56.44 | 2.30% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
