It was a rather depressing end to the trading week for the Australian share market this Friday. After opening sharply lower this morning, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) stayed in red territory all day, closing with a 0.43% loss. That leaves the index at a flat 8,665 points as we head into the weekend.
This sad end to the local trading week for ASX investors comes after a more nuanced night of trading over on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a bad mood, losing 0.31% of its value.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to hold its own, rising a slight 0.012%.
Let’s get back to ASX shares now though and take a closer look at how the various ASX sectors traversed today’s tough trading conditions.
Winners and losers
There were only a couple of sectors that held their value this Friday. But first, let’s get to the far more numerous red sectors.
Leading said losers this session were tech shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had a rough one, tanking by 1.66%.
Consumer discretionary stocks were in the firing line today too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) plunging 1.36%.
Joining them were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) cratered 1.25% today.
Industrial stocks were also on the nose, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.87% dive.
Mining shares had a day to forget as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) suffered a 0.84% swing against it this Friday.
Healthcare stocks didn’t live up to their name this session, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) shedding 0.79% of its total.
Communications shares matched that result. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) gave up 0.79% as well.
Gold stocks were no safe haven, evidenced by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)’s 0.48% tumble.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren’t much better. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) ended the day down 0.33%.
Even energy shares weren’t spared, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) dipping 0.3%.
That’s it for the red sectors though, so let’s get to the good stuff.
Leading the winners this Friday were consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was a harbour in the storm, shooting 0.73% higher.
Finally, the other sheltered corner of the market was financial shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 0.27% jump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Defence stock Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) took out this Friday’s top index spot. Electro Optic Systems shares surged 5.995 hgiher today to finish the week at $11.32 each.
This big leap came after the company announced a new procurement for one of its weapons systems.
Here’s the rest of today’s best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) | $11.32 | 5.99% |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $108.33 | 2.08% |
| Develop Global Ltd (ASX: DVP) | $5.32 | 2.11% |
| Auckland International Airport Ltd (ASX: AIA) | $6.87 | 1.93% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $7.65 | 1.19% |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $6.65 | 1.22% |
| Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) | $23.19 | 1.27% |
| Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR) | $1.79 | 1.13% |
| Resolute Mining Ltd (ASX: RSG) | $1.22 | 1.67% |
| Ansell Ltd (ASX: ANN) | $44.21 | 1.14% |
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.
Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?
When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*
Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right nowâ¦
* Returns as of 1 August 2026
.custom-cta-button p {
margin-bottom: 0 !important;
}
More reading
- ASX 200 sinks to June lows as investors brace for another RBA rate hike
- EOS shares jump 7% as ASX 200 falls. Could $15 be next?
- Is the Coles share price a buy for its 5% dividend yield?
- 5 things to watch on the ASX 200 on Friday
- How to top up your superannuation if you’re 40 and falling behind
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 Block and Electro Optic Systems. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Ansell. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.