It was a disappointing end to what had otherwise been a stellar week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Friday. After bumper sessions on both Monday and Wednesday, investors seemed to get a case of cold feet today.
By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had dropped by a hefty 1.39%. That leaves the index back under 9,000 points at 8,917.6 as we head into the weekend.
This sobering Friday for the Australian markets comes after a similarly painful morning over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a shocker, taking a 1.34% hit.
It was even worse for the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which sank 2.03%.
But let’s get back to the local markets now and grit our teeth for a deep dive into what was happening with the various ASX sectors today.
Winners and losers
As one would expect on a day like today, there were far more red sectors than green ones.
Leading those red sectors were again tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was smashed again this Friday, diving another 5.06%.
Healthcare stocks remained in the firing line as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) plunging 4.04%.
Gold shares proved to be no safe haven. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) crashed 3.44% lower this session.
Consumer discretionary stocks weren’t much better, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 2.36% slump.
Mining shares weren’t riding to the rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) cratered by 2.02% today.
Nor were energy stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) tanking 2%.
Financial shares weren’t spared either. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) had retreated 0.84% by market close.
That drop was mirrored by industrial stocks, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.84% decline.
Communications shares weren’t much better. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) slid 0.75% lower today.
Our last losers were consumer staples stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) slipping down 0.41%.
Turning to the green sectors now, it was utilities shares that again were the best place to hide out. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soared 3.38% higher this Friday.
The other happy corner of the market was real estate investment trusts (REITs), evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ)’s 0.99% lift.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Leading the winners this Friday was ASX veteran financial stock AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP). AMP shares bounced 8.98% higher this session to close the week at $1.40 each.
This seems to be a rebound following yesterday’s poorly-received earnings.
Here’s the rest of today’s best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| AMP Ltd (ASX: AMP) | $1.40 | 8.98% |
| GQG Partners Inc (ASX: GQG) | $1.74 | 7.76% |
| Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG) | $12.08 | 5.04% |
| NextDC Ltd (ASX: NXT) | $14.02 | 3.70% |
| Arena REITÂ (ASX: ARF) | $3.58 | 3.17% |
| Helia Group Ltd (ASX: HLI) | $5.58 | 2.95% |
| AGL Energy Ltd (ASX: AGL) | $10.42 | 2.56% |
| Goodman Group (ASX: GMG) | $31.02 | 2.38% |
| Centuria Industrial REITÂ (ASX: CIP) | $3.21 | 1.58% |
| Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) | $23.30 | 1.35% |
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
- Why AMP, GQG, NextDC, and Origin Energy shares are racing higher today
- 3 ASX 200 stocks smashing the benchmark this week
- Why are AMP shares lifting off in Friday’s sinking market?
- GQG shares rise 4% as resilient earnings ease fund outflow concerns
- WAM Leaders announces fully franked interim dividend for 2026
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 recommended Goodman Group and Gqg Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.