Investors endured a rough start to the trading week this Monday, with the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) continuing to suffer from the selling momentum that we saw at the back end of last week.
After initially plunging almost 2% this morning, the ASX 200 pared back those losses and ended up closing 0.74% lower today. That loss leaves the index at 8,365.9 points.
This coldwater start to the trading week for Australian investors comes after a tough end to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was hit hard, falling by a horrid 0.96%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was hit even harder, dropping 2.01%.
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 trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
Despite the big drop in the broader markets, there were a few sectors that rode out the storm. But first, let's get into the losers.
Leading said losers this Monday were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was hammered again today, crashing a diabolical 7.33%.
Broader mining stocks had a tough time of it too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) sinking 2.4%.
Next came real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) took a 1.22% hit this session.
Tech shares weren't spared either, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.92% plunge.
Industrial stocks weren't immune from the selling. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) tanked by 0.8% by the close of trading.
Financial shares didn't get out of the way in time, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) cratering 0.58%.
Our last losers were consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) almost made it though, edging lower by just 0.04%.
Let's get to the winners now. Leading the green sectors this Monday were utilities shares, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.47% surge.
Energy stocks also got out unscathed, as usual. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw a 1.24% jump today.
Consumer discretionary shares had a day to remember, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lifting 1.1%.
Healthcare stocks lived up to their name, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) managed a 0.16% improvement this session.
Finally, communications shares scraped over the line, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.13% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
The best stock on the ASX 200 today came down to automotive company Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE). Eagers shares rocketed 6.09% today to close at $21.42 each. There wasn't any news out from the company, though, so perhaps this was a rebound after the recent slump we've seen.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) | $21.42 | 6.09% |
| Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) | $12.66 | 5.68% |
| AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) | $23.80 | 5.40% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $2.06 | 4.57% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $1.51 | 4.50% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $18.81 | 4.04% |
| Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) | $6.63 | 3.92% |
| Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) | $8.63 | 3.85% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $21.07 | 3.69% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $4.90 | 3.59% |
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.
