The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) experienced a wild, and ultimately negative day of trading this Thursday, in stark contrast to yesterday's more optimistic showing.
After some initial volatility at market open this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the session deep in red territory. A late-afternoon rally couldn't quite save the markets, and the index ended up closing 0.0045% lower at 8,840.7 points.
This sulky session for the ASX comes despite a more confident day over on the American markets last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) did well, rising 0.29%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, gaining 0.62%.
But let's return to the local markets now and check out how the different ASX sectors navigated today's lethargic trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
Fitting with the market's small drop, we saw a fairly even split between winners and losers this Thursday.
Leading the latter were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was hit hard today, cratering 1.58%.
Energy stocks had another rough one as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) plunging 1.53%.
Continuing the commodities theme, gold shares came next. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw its value dive 0.82%.
Consumer staples stocks were on the nose too, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.31% dip.
Utilities shares joined the losing team, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slid down 0.21% this session.
That's it for the losers, though, so let's get to the green sectors. Leading the winners were communications stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) enjoying a 1.1% surge.
Consumer discretionary shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) added 1.09% to its total this Thursday.
Financial shares proved popular as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) roared 0.88% higher.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) fared half as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.44% bounce.
Healthcare stocks were right behind REITs. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifted 0.39% today.
Tech shares were in that ballpark as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) advancing 0.38%.
Finally, industrial stocks had a lucky finish, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.08% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
This Thursday's index winner was financial stock AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP). AMP shares soared 9.83% higher today to close at $1.90 each.
This big jump followed a well-received earnings update from the company.
Here's how the other winners landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) | $1.90 | 9.83% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.77 | 6.95% |
| REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA) | $158.71 | 6.61% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.91 | 5.20% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $26.52 | 5.03% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $23.63 | 4.93% |
| IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE) | $6.61 | 3.93% |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $3.13 | 3.64% |
| Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) | $45.49 | 3.32% |
| PEXA Group Ltd (ASX: PXA) | $7.85 | 3.15% |
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.
