It was a rough end to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Friday. After initially starting in green territory this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the day drifting lower.
By the time the closing bell rang, the index was deep in red territory and closed 0.65% lower at 8,869.1 points.
This rather miserable conclusion to the week’s trading for Australian investors comes after a mixed session over on the American markets this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to eke out a rise of 0.11%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was not having a bar of it and dropped 0.72%.
Let’s get back to the local markets now and check out how the various ASX sectors dealt with today’s less-than-rosy trading conditions.
Winners and losers
Despite the broader market’s falls, there were still a few sectors that came out with a gain. But more on those in a moment.
Leading today’s red sectors were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) was sent back to earth today, crashing 5.66% lower.
Broader mining stocks were also out of favour, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanking 3.36%.
Tech shares were left out in the cold, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) plunged 1.89% lower this Friday.
Consumer discretionary stocks fared much better, but still weren’t finding buyers either, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.19% dip.
Industrial shares were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) slid 0.18% lower today.
Utilities stocks were our last losers this session, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) slipping by 0.08%.
Turning to the winners now, it was healthcare shares that took out the top spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) soared 1.05% higher this session.
Consumer staples stocks ran hot as well, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)’s 0.73% surge.
Financial shares saw some demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) spiked by 0.48% this Friday.
As did real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) adding 0.3% to its total.
Communications shares were relatively popular. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) lifted 0.21% by the end of trading.
Finally, energy stocks eked out a rise, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)’s 0.07% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Topping the index chart this Friday was education stock IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL). IDP shares surged 5.87% this session to finish at $6.31 each.
This gain came despite no fresh news or announcements from the company this session.
Here’s a look at the rest of today’s best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $6.31 | 5.87% |
| Nine Entertainment Co Holdings Ltd (ASX: NEC) | $1.15 | 5.05% |
| Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd (ASX: FLT) | $16.20 | 3.71% |
| ResMed Inc (ASX: RMD) | $37.54 | 3.13% |
| AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) | $1.70 | 3.04% |
| Santos Ltd (ASX: STO) | $7.01 | 2.49% |
| Downer EDI Ltd (ASX: DOW) | $8.05 | 2.16% |
| Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH) | $269.10 | 1.99% |
| ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) | $24.64 | 1.94% |
| Worley Ltd (ASX: WOR) | $13.41 | 1.90% |
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.
The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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More reading
- 3 ASX 200 stocks smashing the benchmark this week
- Why ASX 200 energy stocks like Santos and Woodside shares are ending the week with a bang
- Why 4DMedical, Appen, Nine Entertainment, and ResMed shares are storming higher today
- Nine Entertainment shares jump on major acquisition and strategic shift
- Why is the ResMed share price jumping 7% today?
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 Cochlear and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Cochlear, Flight Centre Travel Group, and Nine Entertainment. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.
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