It was an unhappy Thursday for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and most ASX shares this session.
After some unexpected economic news this morning, the ASX 200 took a big plunge and never recovered. By the time the closing bell rang, the index had slid 0.52% to 8,753.4 points.
This rough session for ASX investors followed another mixed morning over on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) enjoyed a positive Wednesday, rising 0.68%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) couldn't quite hold on, sliding down 0.26%.
But let's get back to the local markets now, and dig a little deeper into what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
The red sectors decisively outnumbered the green ones today.
Leading those red sectors were, again, tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) suffered another blow, crashing 3.91% lower.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were slammed as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) cratering 2.84%.
Communications stocks fared similarly. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) endured a 2.31% crunch today.
Energy shares were not popular either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 2.09% dive.
Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) ended up tanking 1.34%.
Industrial shares were abandoned as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) sinking 1.19%.
We could say the same for financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) dipped 0.8%.
Utilities shares came next, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.75% downgrade.
Consumer discretionary stocks were our last losers this Thursday. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) was sent home 0.19% lighter.
Turning to the winners now, gold shares rode out the storm, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) surging 2.48% higher.
Broader mining stocks saw some demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) galloped 1.71% higher.
Our final winners were healthcare shares, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.23% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best share on the index came down to lithium stock IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO). IGO shares exploded 15.27% higher this session to close at $6.72 each.
This big leap was not spurred by anything out of the company, although most lithium stocks fared very well, as we covered earlier today.
Here's how the other top performers tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $6.72 | 15.27% |
| Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) | $21.46 | 11.65% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.45 | 10.27% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $3.78 | 10.20% |
| Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) | $13.13 | 7.36% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $61.77 | 6.32% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $7.23 | 5.09% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.765 | 4.08% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $143.00 | 3.83% |
| BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) | $23.12 | 3.49% |
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.
