It was a lukewarm, tentative, yet positive start to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Monday. After a wild week last week, investors didn't seem to know what to do today. After opening sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 ended up recovering by market close, posting a small rise of 0.008%. That leaves the index at 8,731.9 points.
This nervous start to the Australian week comes after a mixed end to the American trading week last Friday night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn't quite stick the landing, losing 0.18%.
However, things were brighter for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which gained 0.39%.
But let's return to this week and the local markets now for a look at how the various ASX sectors handled today's trading conditions.
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Winners and losers
As you might expect, there were generous helpings of both red and green sectors this Monday.
Leading the former were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a shocker today, crashing 1.6%.
Gold stocks had a tough one too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanking 0.73%.
Broader mining shares weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) had sunk 0.66% by the closing bell.
Communications stocks came next, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.43% dive.
Consumer discretionary shares also had a lacklustre day. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) saw its value cut by 0.41%.
Its consumer staples counterpart was ahead of that, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) sinking 0.23%.
Our last losers today were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was sent home 0.11% lighter this Monday.
Let's turn to the green sectors now. Leading the charge were financial stocks, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.63% surge.
Healthcare shares were in decent demand, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) jumped 0.51% today.
We could say the same for energy stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) advancing 0.45%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) saw some mild buying pressure as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) added 0.09% this session.
Finally, industrial shares scraped over the line, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.05% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Gold miner Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) was our best share on the index this Monday. Ramelius shares leapt 6.15% higher this session to close at $3.80 each.
This big surge seemed to be prompted by a favourable production update released this morning.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $3.80 | 6.15% |
| Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) | $140.95 | 5.27% |
| Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) | $1.00 | 4.17% |
| Treasury Wine Estates Ltd (ASX: TWE) | $5.36 | 4.08% |
| Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) | $ 2.87 | 3.61% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $10.16 | 3.36% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $23.32 | 3.09% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.795 | 2.58% |
| Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) | $6.72 | 2.44% |
| Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA) | $2.31 | 2.21% |
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.
