It was a volatile, but ultimately negative session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX 200 shares this Friday, capping off what has been an exceptionally negative week.
After suffering some nasty drops this week, investors couldn't quite summon up the fortitude to end the week higher today. Although the ASX 200 did spend some time in green territory this session, it ended up closing 0.14% lower.
That leaves the index at 8,617.1 points as we head into the weekend.
This uninspiring end to the Australian trading week follows a far nastier morning on the American markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was a car crash-like scene, enduring a 1.56% drop.
Things were even worse for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which lost 1.78% of its value.
But let's get back to the local markets now and see how the various ASX sectors ended their trading weeks.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
Despite the broader market's fall, a few corners of the ASX managed to keep their heads above water this Friday. But first, let's go through the red sectors.
Leading the sell-off today were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had an awful time, crashing 6.19% lower.
Broader mining stocks weren't popular either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanking 2.06%.
Healthcare shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw its value sink 0.32%.
Consumer staples stocks were right behind that, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.3% dive.
Industrial shares found themselves on the wrong side of the aisle, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) lost 0.26% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in the same ballpark, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) dipping 0.18%.
That's it for the losers, though. Turning to the green sectors, it was financial stocks that were the buy of choice this Friday. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) galloped 1.03% higher.
Tech shares had a strong day as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.8% surge.
Communications stocks also saw strong demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had lifted 0.68% by the closing bell.
Energy shares continued their recent run, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) bouncing 0.4%.
Utilities stocks found some buyers too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) added 0.33% to its total this session.
Finally, consumer discretionary shares stuck the landing, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.22% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Departing from the energy theme we've seen this week, today's best index stock was defence share Droneshield Ltd (ASX: DRO). Droneshield stock shot up 6.38% today to finish the week at $4.17.
There wasn't any news out of the company today, but Droneshield has been on a bit of a tear over the past week or two.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $4.17 | 6.38% |
| Dalrymple Bay Infrastructure Ltd (ASX: DBI) | $4.93 | 6.02% |
| NIB Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF) | $6.14 | 5.68% |
| Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) | $8.06 | 4.54% |
| Fortescue Ltd (ASX: FMG) | $20.48 | 4.07% |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.69 | 4.01% |
| NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) | $13.19 | 3.86% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.955 | 3.80% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $93.70 | 3.46% |
| Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) | $10.12 | 3.37% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
