The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) experienced a disappointing start to the trading week this Monday. After opening with a significant 0.4% loss and bouncing around in red territory all day, the ASX 200 did improve slightly by market close and ended up finishing 0.12% lower. That leaves the index at 8,624.4 points.
This rather rough start to the trading week for Australian investors comes after a more optimistic end to the American week on Saturday morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to eke out a decent 0.22% rise.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even better still, gaining 0.31%.
But let's return to this week and the local markets now to check out how the different ASX sectors began their respective weeks this session.
Winners and losers
There were far more red sectors than green ones this Monday.
Leading the former were gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was singled out for punishment today, tanking 1.74%.
Utilities shares were hit hard too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) plunging 0.86%.
We could say the same for mining stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) took a 0.8% dive this session.
Energy shares had another poor showing as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.41% hit.
Consumer staples stocks weren't popular either. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) slumped by 0.25%.
Its consumer discretionary counterpart fared similarly, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) getting walked back by 0.18%.
Industrial stocks mirrored that loss. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) also gave up 0.18% today.
Tech shares didn't find many buyers, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.06% slide.
Healthcare stocks round out our red sectors. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) slipped 0.01% by the closing bell.
Let's get to the winners now. Leading the green sectors were communications shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) surging 1.05%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) had a decent day, too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) added 0.25% to its total.
Finally, financial stocks rounded out our list, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.22% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Lithium miner Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) was our best index stock this Monday. Liontown shares soared 14.77% higher this session to finish at $1.52 each.
There wasn't any news out of the company itself today. Saying that, investors may have been spurred to buy following some positive attention from a broker.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.52 | 14.77% |
| PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $4.03 | 6.05% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $3.15 | 5.70% |
| Bapcor Ltd (ASX: BAP) | $2.35 | 4.44% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $5.35 | 3.28% |
| Catapult Sports Ltd (ASX: CAT) | $4.71 | 3.06% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.73 | 2.63% |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $51.47 | 2.63% |
| Reece Ltd (ASX: REH) | $12.72 | 2.50% |
| NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) | $14.15 | 2.09% |
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.
