The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) experienced a bouncy and ultimately lukewarm session this Thursday. After the selling pressure that we saw through much of the week's earlier trading, investors didn't seem to know what to make of today. After a dip upon market open this morning, sentiment recovered throughout the session, and the ASX 200 ended up closing just 0.018% higher. That leaves the index at 8,724.5 points.
This rather indecisive day for the Australian markets followed a rather gloomy day on the American boards last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was also scattered, but ended up finishing 0.027% lower.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared worse, dropping 0.66%.
But time now to return to the local markets and take a deeper dive into what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors over today's trading.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's positive move, there were more red sectors than green ones this Thursday.
Leading those red sectors were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) crashed a nasty 3.58% lower today.
Consumer discretionary shares were hit hard too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) cratering 2.17%.
Tech stocks were also shunned. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) took a 1.14% plunge this session.
Industrial shares were unpopular as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.79% dive.
Energy stocks weren't finding buyers either. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) sank 0.68% today.
Communications shares were right behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) tanking 0.63%.
Next came real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) dipped 0.42%.
Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.34% decline.
Our last losers this Thursday were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slipped 0.02% lower by the close of trading.
Let's turn to the winners now. It was gold stocks that shone the brightest, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring 3.4% today.
Financial shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) roared up 1.17% over the session.
Finally, healthcare stocks came down on the right side of the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.28% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Gold miner Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) took out today's top spot.
There wasn't any news out from the company itself, but most gold miners did pretty well today.
Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) | $1.11 | 8.33% |
| Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) | $0.735 | 6.52% |
| Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) | $5.11 | 6.24% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $19.83 | 5.48% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $1.27 | 5.42% |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $0.97 | 4.86% |
| Elevra Lithium Ltd (ASX: ELV) | $10.07 | 4.46% |
| Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI) | $0.73 | 4.29% |
| News Corporation (ASX: NWS) | $42.33 | 4.29% |
| National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX: NAB) | $38.41 | 3.84% |
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.
