It was a bumpy, yet ultimately negative session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday.
After starting sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the day recovering and broke into positive territory for a brief moment this afternoon. But it was not to last, and the index ended up closing 0.23% lower at 8,633.2 points.
This tantalising day for ASX investors followed a much rougher night on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was smashed, dropping a nasty 1.87%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was hit even harder, falling 1.98%.
But let's get back to ASX shares now and take a look at what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors today.
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Winners and losers
We had generous helpings of both red and green sectors today.
Leading the former were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) ended up taking a 2.24% dive.
Financial stocks were out of favour as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) tanking 1.45%.
Gold shares were no safe haven. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) ended up slumping 0.81%.
Industrial stocks fared better, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.22% dip.
Our final red sector was communications shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slid 0.11% lower this Thursday.
Let's turn to the green sectors now. Leading the winners were energy stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) charging 1.46% higher.
Consumer staple shares ran hot, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) surged 1.29%.
Healthcare stocks also saw demand, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.02% spike.
Next came consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lifted 0.86% by the end of trading.
Utilities stocks fared decently as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) adding 0.6% to its total.
Mining shares were a little more subdued. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) got a 0.29% bump this session.
Finally, real estate investment trusts (REITs) just crossed the breakeven line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.01% inch higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Energy share Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) was today's top performer. Karoon stock lifted 4.59% this session to close at $2.04. That was despite no news or developments from the company.
Here's how the other top stocks pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $2.04 | 4.59% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.85 | 4.29% |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.99 | 4.20% |
| CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) | $107.23 | 4.16% |
| Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) | $6.58 | 3.95% |
| QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) | $24.28 | 3.67% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $18.70 | 3.60% |
| PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $5.94 | 3.13% |
| Vulcan Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VUL) | $3.24 | 3.26% |
| Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) | $4.96 | 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.
