The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) suffered a rather horrid start to the trading week this Monday, taking a sharp hit as investors returned from the weekend.
After staying in red territory all session, the ASX 200 had taken a 1.02% tumble by the time trading wrapped up. That nasty drop leaves the index at 8,778.6 points.
This Garfield-esque return to trading for the Australian markets follows a similarly downbeat end to the American trading week on Saturday morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) closed out its week on a sour note with a 0.36% fall.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, dropping 0.94%.
But let’s get back to this week and ASX shares now, and dig a little deeper into how the different ASX sectors handled today’s selling pressure.
Winners and losers
There were only three sectors that escaped today’s session with a gain. But more on those after the losers.
Leading those losers this Monday were again gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was violently sold off today, crashing by 7.18%.
Broader mining shares were punished too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) cratering by 3.09%.
Energy stocks were also shunned. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had taken a 2% dive by the closing bell.
Healthcare shares weren’t finding friends, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)’s 1.65% slump.
Tech stocks weren’t much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) came back 1.13% lighter after today’s trading.
Industrial shares saw weakness as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) plunging 0.58%.
We could say the same for real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) suffered a 0.36% swing against it this session.
Consumer discretionary stocks couldn’t stick the landing either, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.31% slide.
Its consumer staples counterpart was our last loser. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) slipped by 0.03% this session.
Let’s turn to the winners now. In first place, we had communications stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) jumping 0.5% this Monday.
Financial shares also escaped unscathed. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) ended up adding 0.14% to its value.
Finally, utilities stocks scraped home with a small gain, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 0.02% improvement.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming out at the front of the index pack today was media company Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC). Nine shares rushed 6.55% higher this session to close at $1.22 each.
There wasn’t any news out from Nine this Monday, though, so perhaps this strong rise has last week’s big announcements to thank.
Here’s the rest of today’s best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) | $1.22 | 6.55% |
| DroneShield Ltd (ASX: DRO) | $3.45 | 3.92% |
| Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC) | $9.12 | 3.28% |
| New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) | $4.63 | 2.66% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $2.72 | 2.64% |
| PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $4.39 | 2.33% |
| Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC) | $2.36 | 2.61% |
| Temple & Webster Group Ltd (ASX: TPW) | $12.33 | 2.32% |
| News Corporation (ASX: NWS) | $44.80 | 2.17% |
| ARB Corporation Ltd (ASX: ARB) | $26.33 | 2.01% |
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.
The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
Should you invest $1,000 in Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited right now?
Before you buy Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited shares, consider this:
Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Nine Entertainment Co. Holdings Limited wasn’t one of them.
The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…
* Returns as of 1 Jan 2026
.custom-cta-button p {
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}
More reading
- Why 4DMedical, DroneShield, New Hope, and Zip shares are pushing higher today
- Why analysts say Hub24, New Hope, and Xero shares are buys
- Where I would invest $2,000 in ASX shares in February
- Corporate Travel Management announces major leadership changes
- GrainCorp shares: FY26 earnings guidance forecasts lower profits
Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended ARB Corporation, DroneShield, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended ARB Corporation, Nine Entertainment, and Temple & Webster Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.