It was another red day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this hump day. After yesterday's decisive plunge, investors came back this morning with a spring in their steps, allowing the market to open in positive territory. But that didn't last long, with investors quickly getting cold feet and pulling the ASX 200 into the red soon after.
By the time trading closed, the index had dropped 0.11% to close at 8,911.4 points.
This miserly session for the local markets came after a horrid return to trading for the US markets following the American long weekend.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) clearly didn't get a proper holiday, dropping 1.18% last night.
Meanwhile, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did better, but still lost 0.32%.
But let's get back to ASX shares now and examine how today's tough trading conditions affected the various ASX sectors.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
Most of the ASX's sectors were dragged lower this Wednesday. But there were a few exceptions.
First though, it was, somewhat ironically, healthcare shares that had the unhealthiest day. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) had tanked 1.5% by the close of trading.
Consumer discretionary stocks also had a shocker, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) plunging 1.14%.
Gold shares were no safe haven either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) cratered 1.06% today.
Communications stocks suffered a steep drop too, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 1.04% dive.
Financial shares were right in front of communications. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) sank 1.02%.
Next came consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) retreating 0.9%.
Tech shares had a day to forget as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) saw its value cut by 0.71%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't granted an exception either, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)'s 0.57% dip.
But that's it for the red sectors, so let's get to the winners.
Leading said winners were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) roared higher today, surging 1.73%.
Mining shares also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soaring 1.51%.
Utilities stocks were in demand as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) lifted 1.01% today.
Finally, industrial shares got out unscathed, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.06% bounce.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Gold stock Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) was our chart-topper this hump day. Minerals 260 shares exploded 10.37% higher this session to finish at 90.5 cents apiece.
This big move came despite no fresh news or announcements from the company.
Here's how the other top stocks landed their planes today:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) | $0.905 | 10.37% |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $4.66 | 7.13% |
| Capstone Copper Corp (ASX: CSC) | $16.00 | 5.47% |
| FireFly Metals Ltd (ASX: FFM) | $1.90 | 4.12% |
| PDI Gold Ltd (ASX: PDI) | $4.88 | 4.05% |
| SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG) | $3.95 | 3.40% |
| 4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) | $3.46 | 3.28% |
| BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) | $64.58 | 3.25% |
| Elevra Lithium Ltd (ASX: ELV) | $8.00 | 3.23% |
| Dyno Nobel Ltd (ASX: DNL) | $4.01 | 3.08% |
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.
