It was a rough start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Monday. After ending the week on a distinct high last Friday, investors were a little less enthused today, sending the ASX 200 0.72% lower by the closing bell. That leaves the index at a flat 8,635 points.
This sluggish start to the trading week follows a similarly downbeat end to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was off its game, dropping 0.51%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was harder hit still, falling 1.69%.
But let's get back to this week and the local markets now, with a look at how the various ASX sectors handled today's tough trading conditions.
Winners and losers
Today's market pessimism touched most corners of the market, with only one sector escaping with a rise. But more on that in a moment.
Firstly, it was mining stocks that were hit the hardest today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was given a thumping and tanked 2.2%.
Gold shares weren't spared from that sentiment, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) plunging 2.06%.
Healthcare stocks weren't popular. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanked 1.21% this session.
Energy shares weren't finding many buyers either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.81% dive.
Industrial stocks were also left out in the cold. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was sent home 0.66% lower this Monday.
Tech shares had a sad session as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) taking a 0.46% hit.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't spared. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) suffered a 0.28% swing.
Right behind REITs were communications stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.26% downgrade.
Consumer staples shares mirrored that loss. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) also went backwards by 0.26%.
Next came utilities stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) retreating 0.07%.
Our last losers were financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slipped down 0.07% as well.
Let's get to our one winner. Consumer discretionary stocks managed to get out with a rise, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.54% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Defence stock DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) was our top performer this Monday. Droneshield shares popped 10.58% higher to close at $2.30. Again, this was not spurred by anything new out of the company itself.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $2.30 | 10.58% |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $6.55 | 5.14% |
| DigiCo Infrastructure REIT (ASX: DGT) | $2.48 | 3.77% |
| Monadelphous Group Ltd (ASX: MND) | $26.99 | 2.98% |
| Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) | $6.52 | 2.84% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $9.04 | 2.61% |
| Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) | $6.07 | 2.53% |
| Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) | $29.64 | 2.42% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $5.15 | 2.39% |
| JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) | $93.95 | 2.33% |
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.
