The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a rough day of trading this Wednesday, resulting in the value of many ASX shares sliding. After yesterday’s tentative session, investors were far more decisive today, with the ASX 200 starting deep in red territory and staying there all day.
By the time trading wrapped up, the index had fallen 0.64% and finished at 8,727.9 points.
This unhappy hump day for the local markets followed a similarly downbeat session over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) couldn’t quite hold on to an early lead, losing 0.35%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was a little better, but still lost 0.15%.
But let’s return to ASX shares now and check out how the different ASX sectors handled today’s tough trading conditions.
Winners and losers
There were only a handful of sectors that managed to make hay today.
But first, let’s get through the red corners of the market.
Leading the losers were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had a shocker, crashing 1.93% lower.
Financial stocks weren’t much chop either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) plunging 1.41%.
Mining shares also had a day to forget. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) took a 0.88% dive this session.
Industrial stocks couldn’t escape the storm, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.71% slump.
Nor could consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) drifted 0.31% lower today.
Utilities stocks couldn’t hold their ground, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) sliding 0.06% lower.
Our last losers this Wednesday were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) slipped by 0.04%.
Let’s turn to the winners now. Leading the charge were real estate investment trusts (REITs), illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 1% jump.
Communications stocks were also spared. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had lifted 0.85% by the closing bell.
Energy shares were another bulwark against the broader market, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) climbing 0.8%.
Tech stocks fared decently as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) enjoyed a 0.35% bump this hump day.
Finally, healthcare shares managed to finish over the line, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)’s 0.02% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our winner this Wednesday was shipbuilding stock Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB). Austal shares rocketed up 10.13% to close at $4.13 each today.
This big gain came after the company revealed another development in its long-running takeover saga.
Here’s how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Austal Ltd (ASX: ASB) | $4.13 | 10.13% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.64 | 6.15% |
| Superloop Ltd (ASX: SLC) | $2.52 | 5.44% |
| Silex Systems Ltd (ASX: SLX) | $3.89 | 5.14% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $2.21 | 4.25% |
| Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) | $27.44 | 3.55% |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $5.70 | 3.45% |
| Weebit Nano Ltd (ASX: WBT) | $2.71 | 3.44% |
| Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) | $2.81 | 3.31% |
| Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL) | $6.12 | 3.03% |
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.
More reading
- 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Wednesday
- Zip vs WiseTech: Which is the superior ASX growth stock today?
- 3 dirt cheap ASX shares I think are undervalued today
- Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today
- 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Tuesday
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 Goodman Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.