
The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) suffered a rather sour end to the trading week this Friday, with the values of many an ASX share dragged lower.
Despite yesterday’s green day breaking a six-day losing run, the pessimists were back in charge once more this Friday, with the index opening lower and staying in red territory all session. By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had lost 0.27%. That leaves the index at 9,058.9 points as we head into the weekend.
This rough end to the trading week for the local markets came after an even bleaker night across the Pacific on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was hit hard, dropping a hefty 1.32%
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did a little better than that, but still lost a flat 1% of its value.
But let’s get back to ASX shares now and examine how this Friday’s negativity spilled over into the different ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
Despite the market’s retreat this session there were still a few sectors that made hay.
But first, it was real estate investment trusts (REITs) that were first to the torch. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) was thumped today, cratering by 2.4%.
Consumer discretionary shares were slammed as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) tanking 1.82%.
Healthcare stocks weren’t popular either. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) took a 1.79% plunge this Friday.
Tech shares also had a day to forget, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)’s 1.36% dive.
Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) shrank by 0.42%.
Our last losers today were industrial shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) slipping 0.03%.
Turning to the winners now, it was gold stocks that shone the brightest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) recorded another 1.41% jump this session.
Communications shares were a little tamer, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)’s 0.32% lift.
Energy stocks were dead even with that. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) also added 0.32% to its total.
In a rare three-way tie, utilities shares matched that figure too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) advancing 0.32% as well.
Financial stocks stayed on investors’ good side too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) ended up climbing 0.23% today.
Finally, mining shares managed to record a small rise, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)’s 0.17% bump
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
It was NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) that topped the index chart this Friday. NRW shares roared 8,04% higher to close the week at $8.20 each.
There wasn’t any news out from the company today, but NRW did drop its earnings yesterday, which still seems to be exciting investors.
Here’s the rest of today’s best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| NRW Holdings Ltd (ASX: NWH) | $8.20 | 8.04% |
| TPG Telecom Ltd (ASX: TPG) | $3.81 | 7.93% |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $1.34 | 5.93% |
| Liontown Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $1.27 | 5.39% |
| Medibank Private Ltd (ASX: MPL) | $4.95 | 5.10% |
| PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $5.07 | 4.97% |
| Vault Minerals Ltd (ASX: VAU) | $6.78 | 4.47% |
| NIB Holdings Ltd (ASX: NHF) | $7.40 | 4.37% |
| Elevra Lithium Ltd (ASX: ELV) | $9.08 | 4.13% |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $8.36 | 3.98% |
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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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 no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended NIB Holdings. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.