It was a rather depressing end to the trading week for the Australian share market this Friday. After opening sharply lower this morning, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stayed in red territory all day, closing with a 0.43% loss. That leaves the index at a flat 8,665 points as we head into the weekend.
This sad end to the local trading week for ASX investors comes after a more nuanced night of trading over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a bad mood, losing 0.31% of its value.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to hold its own, rising a slight 0.012%.
Let's get back to ASX shares now though and take a closer look at how the various ASX sectors traversed today's tough trading conditions.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
There were only a couple of sectors that held their value this Friday. But first, let's get to the far more numerous red sectors.
Leading said losers this session were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a rough one, tanking by 1.66%.
Consumer discretionary stocks were in the firing line today too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) plunging 1.36%.
Joining them were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) cratered 1.25% today.
Industrial stocks were also on the nose, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.87% dive.
Mining shares had a day to forget as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) suffered a 0.84% swing against it this Friday.
Healthcare stocks didn't live up to their name this session, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) shedding 0.79% of its total.
Communications shares matched that result. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) gave up 0.79% as well.
Gold stocks were no safe haven, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.48% tumble.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended the day down 0.33%.
Even energy shares weren't spared, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) dipping 0.3%.
That's it for the red sectors though, so let's get to the good stuff.
Leading the winners this Friday were consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was a harbour in the storm, shooting 0.73% higher.
Finally, the other sheltered corner of the market was financial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.27% jump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Defence stock Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) took out this Friday's top index spot. Electro Optic Systems shares surged 5.995 hgiher today to finish the week at $11.32 each.
This big leap came after the company announced a new procurement for one of its weapons systems.
Here's the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) | $11.32 | 5.99% |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $108.33 | 2.08% |
| Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) | $5.32 | 2.11% |
| Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA) | $6.87 | 1.93% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $7.65 | 1.19% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $6.65 | 1.22% |
| Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) | $23.19 | 1.27% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.79 | 1.13% |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $1.22 | 1.67% |
| Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN) | $44.21 | 1.14% |
Enjoy the weekend!
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.
