It was a fairly horrid end to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Friday. After investors' mood seemed to sour over yesterday's session, it curdled even further today, with the ASX 200 falling by a nasty 0.92% by the end of trading.
That leaves the index at 8,828.7 points as we head into the weekend.
This rough end to the trading week for ASX investors follows a far more pleasant session for the American markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was a little timid, rising by 0.14%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, though, shooting up 1.91%.
But let's return to the ASX now and take a closer look at what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors in today's tough trading conditions.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
There were far more red sectors today than green ones.
Leading those red sectors were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was smashed, cratering by 4.03%.
Gold stocks weren't much better, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) plunging 3.77%.
Utilities stocks were a little tamer. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) still tanked 0.82%, though.
Next up on the red list were real estate investment trusts (REITs), evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.74% dive.
Communications shares followed REITs. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was sent home 0.32% lighter.
Industrial stocks had a bumpy day, but the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) closed down an unlucky 0.13%.
Our last losers, financial shares, found more sellers than buyers, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was walked backwards by 0.08% this Friday.
Let's get to the green sectors now. Leading those winners were healthcare stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 3.51% surge.
Consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) soared 1.27% higher this session.
Energy stocks enjoyed a late recovery, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) jumping 0.49%.
Consumer discretionary shares also found themselves in demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lifted 0.45% today.
Finally, tech stocks got over the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.22% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top share on the index came down to healthcare stock 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX). 4DMedical shares rocketed a huge 17.62% this session to finish the week at $4.54 a share.
As my Fool colleague Marc wrote today, this gain, as well as its recent high-flying, seems to all come down to momentum.
Here's a look at the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) | $4.54 | 17.62% |
| The a2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $6.71 | 9.82% |
| CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) | $116.32 | 7.62% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $2.56 | 6.67% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $23.84 | 6.19% |
| Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG) | $3.73 | 4.78% |
| Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV) | $3.43 | 4.57% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.875 | 4.17% |
| Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI) | $5.29 | 4.13% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.13 | 3.40% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
