The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a volatile, yet negative, session this Tuesday. After initially spiking in early trading this morning, the ASX 200 spent the rest of the day in negative territory. Saying that, it could have been a lot worse, with the index eventually closing down just 0.044%, leaving it at 8,949.4 points.
This miserly trading day for Australian investors comes after a similarly lacklustre start to the American trading week last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't quite clinch a rise either, dropping by a tiny 0.0099%
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was a little more decisive, though, falling 0.26%.
But let's get back to the ASX now for a look at how the different ASX sectors handled today's interesting trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's fall, there were plenty of sectors that came out ahead this Tuesday.
But first, let's go through the losers.
Leading said red sectors were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had a rough one, tanking by 0.89%.
Gold shares were also shunned, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) cratering 0.52%.
Healthcare stocks had a day to forget, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) suffered a 0.42% swing against it today.
Mining shares were on the red list as well, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.15% dip.
Financial stocks weren't popular either. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) took a 0.12% hit this session.
Our last losers were communications shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slipping 0.06% lower.
Turning to the green sectors now, it was consumer staples stocks that ran hottest. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) enjoyed a 0.69% surge this Tuesday.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were popular too, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.49% jump.
Industrial shares were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) bounced 0.48% higher today.
Tech stocks were in that ballpark as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lifting 0.42%.
Utilities shares didn't miss out. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) added 0.28% to its value.
Finally, consumer discretionary shares made the cut, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.12% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top stock was lithium company Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL). Vulcan shares soared another 6.52% this Tuesday to close at $3.76 a share.
This seems to be a continuation of the positive momentum we saw yesterday, thanks to an exciting announcement that the company made.
Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) | $3.76 | 6.52% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $3.81 | 5.54% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $36.47 | 4.56% |
| Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX) | $6.26 | 3.99% |
| Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) | $6.85 | 3.79% |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $7.94 | 3.79% |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $102.41 | 3.59% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $1.10 | 3.29% |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $2.30 | 3.14% |
| Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) | $24.63 | 2.80% |
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.
