The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a particularly rough Thursday session today, erasing much of the gains that we saw earlier in the week. Investors began the day depressed and only got more pessimistic as trading wore on.
By the time the markets closed, the ASX 200 had dropped a nasty 0.98%. That leaves the index at 9,038.2 points.
This tough Thursday for Australian investors came after a milder night on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't hold water, falling 0.21%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared better, only losing 0.081% of its value.
But let us return to the local markets now for a closer look at how the different ASX sectors traversed this Thursday's tough trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
It was a bleak landscape out on the boards today, with only two sectors managing to escape intact.
Firstly, though, it was consumer discretionary stocks that copped the worst of it today. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) was slammed, crashing 3.18% lower.
Tech shares suffered too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) plunging 2.38%.
Gold stocks didn't hold their value either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanked 1.54% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in a similar boat, as you can tell by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 1.45% dive.
Consumer staples shares were no safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) cratered 1.43% today.
Nor were mining stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) copping a 1.18% beating.
Communications shares had a day to forget, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) saw its value erode 1.06%.
Utilities stocks also suffered, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.99% tumble.
Financial shares weren't popular either. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slid 0.68% lower this Thursday.
Our last losers were energy shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) slipping down 0.19%.
Turning to the two green sectors now, the best place to hide out today was in healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) was spared, lifting a comfortable 0.23%.
Finally, our other winners were industrial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.03% bounce.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our chart-topper this Thursday was healthcare stock Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC). Ramsay shares surged 13.72% higher this session to hit $50.06 by close. This came after the company reported its latest earnings this morning.
Here's how the other top stocks landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Ramsay Health Care Ltd (ASX: RHC) | $50.06 | 13.72% |
| Domino's Pizza Enterprises Ltd (ASX: DMP) | $20.30 | 7.98% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.96 | 5.49% |
| Qantas Airways Ltd (ASX: QAN) | $9.66 | 4.77% |
| Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) | $6.06 | 4.48% |
| Neuren Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: NEU) | $21.02 | 4.32% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $1.80 | 3.46% |
| Perpetual Ltd (ASX: PPT) | $20.23 | 3.32% |
| Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC) | $16.40 | 2.89% |
| Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) | $10.12 | 2.22% |
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.
