The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) experienced a volatile, but ultimately pessimistic start to the trading week this Monday.
After last week's bleak end to the trading week, investors didn't come back from the weekend with a change of heart, it seems. Despite spending some time in green territory this morning, the ASX 200 ended up closing down 0.14% by the time the closing bell rang today.
That leaves the index at 8,816.1 points.
The American markets were closed on Friday night to honour the Juneteenth public holiday. Trading will resume tonight (our time), but for now, Wall Street's mildly positive performance from Thursday's session is still the latest data we have out from the 'States.
So let's cut to the chase now and take a look at what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors in today's tough trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
Despite the overall loss on the broader market, there were plenty of sectors that made hay today.
But first, it was tech shares that copped the brunt of the selling. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) did not come back from the weekend on a high, with 4.20% of its value going up in smoke.
Healthcare stocks were out of favour too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanking 1.3%.
Communications shares gave up an early lead to close lower. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) cratered by 1.15% this session.
Mining stocks weren't popular either, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.61% dive.
We could say something similar for energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) dipped 0.44% lower this Monday.
Our last losers today were real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slipping 0.06%.
Turning to the green sectors now, it was gold stocks that led the charge higher. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) roared up 1.83%.
Consumer discretionary shares also ran hot, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.56% jump.
Financial stocks were in demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) surged 0.5% this Monday.
Industrial shares didn't miss out, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) leaping up 0.48%.
Nor did utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) added 0.32% to its total today.
Finally, consumer staples shares managed to squeak home unscathed, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.06% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Gold miner Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) was our top stock on the index this Monday. Ora Banda shares rocketed 6.58% higher this session to close at $1.295 each.
There wasn't any news out of the company today, although most gold stocks did very well.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) | $1.30 | 6.58% |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $2.79 | 4.89% |
| Perenti Ltd (ASX: PRN) | $2.40 | 4.80% |
| 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) | $4.72 | 3.96% |
| Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU) | $8.13 | 3.96% |
| Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI) | $5.47 | 3.40% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $12.96 | 3.35% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $6.16 | 3.36% |
| Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) | $8.22 | 3.01% |
| SGH Ltd (ASX: SGH) | $44.57 | 3.00% |
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.
