The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) kicked off the week's trading on a rather sour note this Monday. After a lacklustre week last week, it seems the weekend did nothing to cheer investors up.
After staying in red territory all session, the ASX 200 ended up finishing down 0.23%. That leaves the index at 8,766.4 points.
This rather depressing start to the Australian trading week comes after a more nuanced end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in the same mould as the ASX, dropping 0.16%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared far better, roaring 1.63% higher.
But let's get back to this week and our local markets now, and check out what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this Monday.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's overall loss, we still had a few sectors that put on some weight.
But first, utilities stocks were the biggest drag on the markets. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) plunged a nasty 2.81% lower this session.
Energy shares were also out of favour, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) tanking 1.87%.
Communications stocks were only a little better. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) cratered by 1.19% today.
Tech shares were on the nose, too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.94% dive.
Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) had retreated 0.6% by the close of trading.
Nor were financial shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) dipping 0.47%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't spared either. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) lost 0.13% of its value this Monday.
Consumer discretionary stocks weren't finding buyers, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.09% slide.
Our last losers for the day were Industrial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its total slip by 0.07%.
Let's turn to the winners now. It was gold stocks that captured most of today's buying pressure, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring 1.63% higher.
Broader mining shares got a look in too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) lifted 0.63% this session.
Finally, our other winners were healthcare stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.07% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's index champion was toll road operator Atlas Arteria (ASX: ALX). Atlas shares had a blowout today, rocketing 13.39% higher to $4.91 each.
This gain came after it emerged that the company had received a takeover offer of $4.75 to $5.10 per share. So, no surprise to see Atlas Arteria shares move towards that range today.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Atlas Arteria (ASX: ALX) | $4.91 | 13.39% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $166.16 | 6.79% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $9.34 | 5.06% |
| IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) | $4.27 | 4.66% |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $7.32 | 4.42% |
| 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) | $4.97 | 4.41% |
| Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) | $1.54 | 4.41% |
| Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL) | $3.80 | 4.11% |
| PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $5.93 | 2.77% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $13.08 | 2.51% |
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.
