The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a tough Thursday session today, dragging the value of many ASX shares lower. After what has been a relatively positive week for the share market, investors were not in a good mood today, with the ASX 200 opening sharply lower and staying down all session.
By the time trading wrapped up, the index had lost 0.71%, closing at a flat 8,702 points.
This rough day for the ASX followed a similarly bearish session over on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was not in favour, losing 0.68% of its value.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even worse, diving 1.13%.
But let's return to the local markets now though and dig a little deeper into what was happening with the different ASX sectors today.
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Winners and losers
There were only a handful of sectors that managed to come out unscathed from today's trading.
But first, it was gold stocks that were hit the hardest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was smashed, tanking 2.25%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were punished too, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) plunging 1.95%.
We could say the same for mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) cratered by 1.46% this session.
Communications stocks weren't popular either, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 1.07% tumble.
Financial shares weren't riding to the rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had 1.07% shaved from its value.
Industrial stocks were our last losers of the day, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) dipping 0.2%.
Turning to the green sectors now, it was energy shares that were treated the most kindly. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) saw its value surge 1.17% this Thursday.
Consumer staples stocks held their value too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.36% rise.
Utilities shares were also in that ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumped 0.29% today.
Tech stocks were right behind, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) advancing 0.25%.
Healthcare shares tied that result. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) also added 0.125% to its value.
Finally, consumer discretionary stocks managed to stay above water, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.09% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our Thursday winner was retail stock Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV). Premier shares rocketed 7.08% higher today, finishing up at $11.95 each.
This big move came after the company reported its full-year results, which clearly impressed the market.
Here's how the other top stocks landed their planes:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Premier Investments Ltd (ASX: PMV) | $11.95 | 7.08% |
| Sunrise Energy Metals Ltd (ASX: SRL) | $23.13 | 6.84% |
| Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) | $48.33 | 6.20% |
| Elsight Ltd (ASX: ELS) | $5.16 | 5.74% |
| Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL) | $11.31 | 2.35% |
| Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN) | $43.71 | 2.20% |
| BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL) | $30.70 | 2.30% |
| TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) | $29.65 | 2.14% |
| Breville Group Ltd (ASX: BRG) | $30.56 | 2.10% |
| Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) | $8.55 | 1.79% |
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.
