It was yet another negative session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday, the fourth red session for the Australian markets in a row this week.
After opening sharply lower at the start of morning trading, the ASX 200 did recover a little over the day. But it wasn't nearly enough to save investors from a loss. By the time trading finished, the index had lost 0.26% and closed at 8,762.5 points.
This depressing Thursday for the local markets came after a mixed night over on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn't in a good place, dropping 1.09%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared far better, rising 0.2%.
Let's get back to the local markets now and check out how today's tough trading conditions have percolated down into the various ASX sectors.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's bad mood this Thursday, there were plenty of sectors that were spared from a sell-down.
But first, it was mining stocks that got slammed the hardest today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) ended up crashing 1.48% lower.
Gold shares had another rough one too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tumbling 1.24%.
We can say the same for real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sank 1.1% by the closing bell.
Financial stocks were a little better, though, as illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.15% slip.
Turning to the green sectors now, energy shares had a blowout. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up surging 1.67% higher.
Utilities stocks also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soaring 1.28%.
Consumer staples shares were solid. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) galloped 0.97% higher this session.
Tech stocks were in demand too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.92% bounce.
Communications shares fared decently. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) added 0.89% to its total today.
As did consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) advancing 0.58%.
Healthcare shares stayed afloat. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifted 0.13% this Thursday.
Finally, industrial stocks got over the line, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.12% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top stock was building supplies company Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU). Fletcher shares rocketed 7.55% this session to $2.99 each.
This followed the stock releasing some updated earnings guidance, which investors clearly appreciated.
Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $2.99 | 7.55% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $20.14 | 5.56% |
| New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) | $5.22 | 5.45% |
| Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT) | $12.90 | 4.12% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.10 | 3.96% |
| Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA) | $2.29 | 3.62% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $44.49 | 3.47% |
| SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG) | $3.61 | 2.56% |
| Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) | $2.87 | 2.50% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $23.20 | 2.47% |
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.
