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.
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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.
