The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) was thrust back into negative territory this Thursday, and decisively so, throwing off the optimistic recovery we had been witnessing for much of this week.
By the time the markets closed today, the ASX 200 had dropped a nasty 1.31%, leaving the index at a flat 8,629 points.
This rather horrid day for Australian shares follows a more temperate morning up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was punished, but by a relatively tamer 0.61%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared far better, recording a modest rise of 0.084%.
But let's return to the local markets now for an analysis of how the different ASX sectors fared amid today's tough trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
There were certainly more red sectors than green ones today, with only one corner of the market rising this session.
But first, it was tech shares that took the brunt of investors' displeasure. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) saw its value plunge 3.45% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also hit hard, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) crashing 2.55% lower.
Gold stocks were no safe haven. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanked 2.01% this Thursday.
Nor were broader mining shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 1.6% dive.
Healthcare stocks didn't live up to their name either. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) cratered by 1.48% today.
Financial shares were also on the nose, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) sinking 1.45%.
Consumer discretionary stocks had a day to forget, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) dipped 1.11%.
Next came industrial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.04% retreat.
Communications stocks couldn't escape the storm. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) saw its value cut by 0.71% this session.
Consumer staples shares weren't providing any shelter either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) sliding 0.42%.
Our last losers were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) ended up slipping by 0.26%.
Let's get to our sole winner now. It was, surprise surprise, energy stocks, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 2.08% surge.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out at the front of the ASX 200 pack this Thursday was coal miner Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL). Yancoal shares enjoyed a blowout today, shooting 10.46% higher to finish at $7.71 each.
We discussed the performance of coal miners like Yancoal today here.
Here's how the rest of today's winners tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) | $7.71 | 10.46% |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $9.29 | 6.66% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.98 | 4.76% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $90.57 | 4.43% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $11.23 | 4.37% |
| New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) | $5.26 | 4.16% |
| Beach Energy Ltd (ASX: BPT) | $1.16 | 3.59% |
| Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) | $30.27 | 2.89% |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $21.17 | 2.82% |
| Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA) | $2.07 | 2.48% |
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.
