It was a wild and volatile mid-week session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Wednesday. After yesterday's pleasing performance from the markets, investors didn't quite seem to know what to do today.
After opening higher this morning, the ASX 200 spent time in both positive and negative territory this session, before closing in the green, up 0.086%. That leaves the index at 8,765.3 points.
This indecisive, yet positive, showing from the local markets comes after a mixed session on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a rough one, losing 0.36% of its value.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did much better, rising 0.45%.
Let's return to ASX shares now, and dive a little deeper into what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors this session.
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Winners and losers
We had lots of winners and losers this Wednesday.
Leading the latter were again utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was slammed, plunging 2.21%.
Energy stocks had another shocker as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) cratering by 1.7%.
Communications shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) took a 0.96% tumble by the closing bell.
Healthcare stocks weren't popular either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.62% dive.
Tech shares weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lost 0.61% today.
Financial stocks were in that ballpark too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) dipping 0.56%.
Industrial shares weren't riding to the rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) suffered a 0.31% correction.
Our last losers this hump day were consumer discretionary stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.09% slip.
With the losers out of the way, let's turn to the winners. At the front of the pack, we had gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) held up well, adding a hearty 2.5% to its total.
Broader mining stocks ran hot as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soaring up 1.57%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) bounced 1.31% higher today.
Finally, consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.1% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Gold stock Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) was our crown-wearer this Wednesday. Catalyst shares shot up 6.57% to finish at $6.16 each. This move came despite no news from the company, although most gold shares did well.
Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) | $6.16 | 6.57% |
| Sunrise Energy Metals Ltd (ASX: SRL) | $21.65 | 5.71% |
| Pantoro Gold Ltd (ASX: PNR) | $3.01 | 5.61% |
| Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6) | $0.945 | 5.59% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $53.10 | 4.50% |
| Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) | $4.88 | 4.05% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $22.80 | 3.97% |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $1.23 | 3.80% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.845 | 3.68% |
| Greatland Resources Ltd (ASX: GGP) | $11.18 | 3.52% |
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.
