The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a negative hump day, sending the value of many ASX shares lower.
After opening sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 spent the entire session in red territory. By the time the closing bell rang, the index had dropped 0.18% to finish at 9,053.8 points.
This miserable Wednesday for the local markets came after a similarly pessimistic night up on the American markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't hold water, dropping 0.22%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was hit far harder though, falling 1.33%.
But let's return to ASX shares now and dive into how the different ASX sectors handled today's tough trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
The losers easily outnumbered the winners this Wednesday.
Leading said losers were tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a shocker, plunging 3.15%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also hit hard, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) cratering by 1.15%.
Financial shares fared a little better. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) still tanked 0.64%, though.
Consumer discretionary stocks were in a similar boat, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.58% dive.
Gold shares weren't much of a safe haven either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) saw its value shrink 0.18%.
We could almost say the same for broader mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) retreating 0.04%.
Let's turn to the winners now.
Leading the team were healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) roared 2.6% higher today.
Energy stocks also ran hot, as evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.77% surge.
Utilities shares were a little tamer. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumped 0.35% this session.
Consumer staples stocks were right behind that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) advancing 0.31%.
Industrial shares got out unscathed this hump day. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) ended up lifting 0.05%.
Finally, communications stocks notched a dodge, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.04% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
It was REIT Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) that took out today's top spot. Stockland units shot up 12.35% this Wednesday to finish at $4.55 each.
This came after the REIT reported its latest earnings, which clearly delighted the market.
Here's how the other top shares landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP) | $4.55 | 12.35% |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $3.35 | 8.77% |
| Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC) | $3.33 | 6.73% |
| Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR) | $1.85 | 6.32% |
| CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL) | $166.48 | 5.49% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $3.51 | 4.46% |
| SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG) | $4.10 | 3.54% |
| Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) | $5.66 | 2.72% |
| Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) | $8.31 | 2.47% |
| Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) | $23.56 | 2.35% |
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.
