The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) suffered a volatile and overall negative trading day this hump day. After spending time in both positive and negative territory this session, the ASX 200 couldn't quite stick the landing, finishing 0.076% lower. That leaves the index at 8,579.4 points.
This rather disappointing Wednesday session for the ASX comes after a mixed morning up on the US markets
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up an early lead to close 0.38% lower.
It was a better story for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), though, which managed a 0.13% rise.
But let's get back to the local market now for a check on what the different ASX sectors were up to today.
Winners and losers
There were far more red sectors than green ones today.
Leading those red sectors were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was punished, tanking by 1.48%.
Industrial stocks got a shellacking as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) plunging 0.84%.
Energy shares had a rough time, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw its value crater by 0.77%.
We could say the same for real estate investment trusts (REITs), illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.65% dive.
Communications stocks weren't popular either. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) went backwards by 0.55% this Wednesday.
Nor were healthcare shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) dipping 0.38%.
Financial stocks performed identically. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) also lost 0.38%.
Utilities shares were in the same ballpark, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.3% retreat.
Rounding up the losers, we had consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) was sent 0.1% lower this hump day.
Let's turn to the green sectors now. Leading the charge higher were gold shares, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rocketing a significant 4.08% higher.
Broader mining stocks didn't miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) enjoyed a 1.27% surge today.
Our final winners were consumer staples stocks, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.02% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
This Wednesday's winner came in as defence stock Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO). Droneshield shares rocketed by a huge 16.2% this session to finish at $2.26 each.
With no fresh news out from the company, this looks like another rebound move after the big sell-off last month.
Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $2.26 | 16.20% |
| Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI) | $4.83 | 6.39% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $3.57 | 5.62% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $5.39 | 5.27% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $26.97 | 5.06% |
| Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) | $5.91 | 4.60% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $12.15 | 4.47% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $6.35 | 4.44% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $13.41 | 4.44% |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.55 | 4.39% |
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.
