The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a red day this Thursday, with investors retreating after sending the market higher over the first half of the week. After a few healthy days, investors were clearly in a more sober mood today, with the ASX 200 dropping 0.62% after a bumpy session. That leaves the index at 8,911.1 points.
This thrifty day for the ASX comes after a decidedly red night up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn't playing nice, falling 0.98%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, tumbling 1.34%.
But let's get back to the Australian market now and dive a little deeper into how the different ASX sectors handled today's tough trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
Today's pessimism was almost universal, with only a handful of sectors escaping the market's fear.
But first, it was gold shares that were sold off the heaviest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanked 1.83% today.
Tech stocks copped it too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) cratering 1.36%.
Mining shares weren't in favour either. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) took a 1.27% dive.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) found themselves out of favour as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 1.19% slump.
Energy stocks were in a similar boat. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was cut down by 1.15% today.
Financial shares came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) retreating 0.48%.
Communications stocks were in the same ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lost 0.47% this Thursday.
Utilities shares were unlucky, as you can tell by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.08% slide.
Consumer discretionary stocks were our final losers. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) ended up slipping 0.07% lower.
Let's get to the winners now. Leading the herd (of three) were consumer staples shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) lifting 0.73%.
Healthcare stocks got a break, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) banked a 0.35% gain this session.
Finally, industrial shares brought up the rear, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.22% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winner was tech share Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1). Megaport stock shot up 4.59% this Thursday to close at $20.74.
That was despite no news or announcements from the company itself.
Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $20.74 | 4.59% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.06 | 4.30% |
| 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) | $3.86 | 4.04% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $1.72 | 2.99% |
| SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) | $43.63 | 2.73% |
| Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) | $114.29 | 2.67% |
| Magellan Financial Group Ltd (ASX: MFG) | $9.79 | 2.09% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $13.25 | 2.00% |
| QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) | $24.01 | 1.87% |
| The a2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $6.11 | 1.66% |
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.
