The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a rough day of trading this Thursday, pushing the value of many ASX shares lower. After yesterday's tentative rise, investors were far more pessimistic this session, with the market opening in the red and staying there all day. By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had lost 0.43% of its value. That leaves the index at 8,793.2 points.
This disappointing session for the Australian stock market followed a far more upbeat morning over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a very nice time indeed, rising 0.69%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, gaining a solid 1.05%.
But let's get back to the local markets for a closer look at how today's losses cascaded down into the different ASX sectors this Thursday.
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Winners and losers
Despite the market's losses, there were plenty of sectors that managed to make hay today.
But first, it was energy stocks that were hit the hardest this session. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had crashed 2.42% by the close of trade.
Mining shares weren't much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) plunging 1.96%.
Gold stocks didn't hold their value. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) cratered by 1.95%.
The same could be said of consumer discretionary shares, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 1.72% dive.
That's it for the red sectors, though. Turning to the green corners of the market, it was industrial stocks that shone the brightest. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its value surge 0.9% this Thursday.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also in demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) recording a 0.76% jump.
Communications shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) roared 0.52% higher today.
Financial stocks weren't without buyers, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.44% leap.
Consumer staples shares didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) galloped up 0.36% this session.
Healthcare stocks were a little tamer, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) advancing 0.908%.
Ditto for utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) got a 0.05% bump today.
Finally, tech shares only just got in under the wire, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.01% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winner was embattled data centre operator NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT). NextDC stock surged 7.48% this session to close at $5.75 a share.
This appeared to be a big rebound following yesterday's massive plunge to an eight-year low.
Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) | $5.75 | 7.48% |
| Smartgroup Corporation Ltd (ASX: SIQ) | $12.25 | 5.42% |
| Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) | $193.42 | 4.65% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $16.89 | 4.39% |
| Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) | $21.23 | 3.16% |
| WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) | $41.00 | 3.09% |
| Ingenia Communities Group (ASX: INA) | $4.71 | 2.84% |
| Light & Wonder Inc (ASX: LNW) | $126.46 | 2.66% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $6.97 | 2.65% |
| Suncorp Group Ltd (ASX: SRL) | $20.42 | 2.46% |
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.
