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.
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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.
