It was a lacklustre start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Monday. After last week's cascade of new record highs, investors kept up the corrective mentality that was on display last Friday today, keeping the ASX 200 in negative territory all session.
By the time trading wrapped up, the index had finished 0.33% lower at 9,232.6 points.
This miserly start to the Australian trading week followed a more upbeat end to the American week on Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) closed the week on a generous note, rising by 0.28%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more upbeat, gaining a healthy 1.3%.
But let's get back to this week and our local markets now and dive a little deeper into what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors this Monday.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's losses, there were still plenty of green sectors this session.
But first, it was again financial stocks that were singled out for punishment. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) cratered 2.27% lower this Monday.
Consumer discretionary shares got the cold shoulder too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slumping 0.45%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sank 0.28% today.
Our other losers were utilities stocks, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.23% slip.
Let's get to the green sectors now, though. Leading those winners were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) continued its recent run with another 2.61% surge.
Communications stocks had a day to remember as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) soaring 1.7%.
Healthcare shares were in demand too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) vaulted 1.45% higher today.
Mining stocks also ran hot, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 1.22% jump.
We could say something similar for tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) ended up bouncing 0.57% higher.
Consumer staples stocks held their value too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) lifting 0.36%.
Next came industrial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) managed to stay afloat with a 0.05% advance.
Finally, energy stocks tied with industrials, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.05% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out on top of today's pile was classifieds stock Car Group Ltd (ASX: CAR). Car shares roared a healthy 9.92% higher today to close at $29.70 each.
This followed some pleasing earnings from the company this morning.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Car Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) | $29.70 | 9.92% |
| Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) | $0.815 | 7.24% |
| Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) | $16.48 | 6.87% |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $1.13 | 6.13% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.36 | 5.83% |
| Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) | $12.42 | 4.72% |
| Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI) | $71.53 | 4.67% |
| Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN) | $4.68 | 4.46% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $159.48 | 4.36% |
| Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) | $5.66 | 4.24% |
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.
