It was a pessimistic end to what has largely been a pessimistic week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Friday.
After opening sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 stayed in red territory all day and ended up closing with a substantial 0.8% loss. That leaves the index at 9,115.2 points as we head into the weekend.
Today's rough end to the trading week for local investors follows a notably more positive night up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) overcame a mid-session dip to finish up a lucky 0.13%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did better, enjoying a 0.81% rise.
But let's get back to the local boards now and check out how today's selling filtered down into the various ASX sectors this Friday.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
There were still a few sectors that managed to come out ahead this session.
But first, it was mining stocks that were the hardest-hit corner of the market today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was slammed, tanking 2.58%.
Gold shares weren't much better, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) plunging 2.38%.
Industrial stocks didn't get a reprieve either. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) cratered 1.38% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't popular, as you can tell by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.78% dive.
Nor were healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had tumbled 0.68% by the end of trading.
Energy stocks did better, but the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was still walked back by 0.31%.
Financial shares were in that ballpark, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slid 0.12% lower this Friday.
But that's it for the red sectors, so let's get to the good stuff.
Leading the winners today were tech stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 2.83% surge.
Utilities shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) enjoyed a 1.03% jump today.
Communications stocks were in demand as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifting 0.47%.
As were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) advanced 0.28% over today's trading.
Finally, consumer staples stocks escaped unscathed, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.14% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
This Friday's index winner was classifieds stock Seek Ltd (ASX:SEK). Seek shares roared 9.13% higher this session to close the week at $15.18 each.
This came despite no fresh news. Perhaps it was a reobund after the big drops we saw earlier in the week, or perhaps a reaction to a buy rating from a broker.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) | $15.18 | 9.13% |
| Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA) | $2.22 | 6.22% |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $117.75 | 6.07% |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $4.36 | 5.57% |
| WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) | $43.38 | 5.55% |
| Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) | $81.48 | 5.54% |
| Car Group Ltd (ASX: CAR) | $30.10 | 5.47% |
| Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) | $8.14 | 4.23% |
| Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) | $135.77 | 3.90% |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.28 | 3.66% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
