It was yet another negative session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday, the fourth red session for the Australian markets in a row this week.

After opening sharply lower at the start of morning trading, the ASX 200 did recover a little over the day. But it wasn’t nearly enough to save investors from a loss. By the time trading finished, the index had lost 0.26% and closed at 8,762.5 points.

This depressing Thursday for the local markets came after a mixed night over on the US markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn’t in a good place, dropping 1.09%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared far better, rising 0.2%.

Let’s get back to the local markets now and check out how today’s tough trading conditions have percolated down into the various ASX sectors.

Winners and losers

Despite the market’s bad mood this Thursday, there were plenty of sectors that were spared from a sell-down.

But first, it was mining stocks that got slammed the hardest today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) ended up crashing 1.48% lower.

Gold shares had another rough one too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tumbling 1.24%.

We can say the same for real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sank 1.1% by the closing bell.

Financial stocks were a little better, though, as illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)’s 0.15% slip.

Turning to the green sectors now, energy shares had a blowout. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up surging 1.67% higher.

Utilities stocks also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soaring 1.28%.

Consumer staples shares were solid. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) galloped 0.97% higher this session.

Tech stocks were in demand too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)’s 0.92% bounce.

Communications shares fared decently. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) added 0.89% to its total today.

As did consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) advancing 0.58%.

Healthcare shares stayed afloat. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifted 0.13% this Thursday.

Finally, industrial stocks got over the line, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)’s 0.12% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today’s top stock was building supplies company Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU). Fletcher shares rocketed 7.55% this session to $2.99 each.

This followed the stock releasing some updated earnings guidance, which investors clearly appreciated.

Here’s how the other winners pulled up at the kerb: 

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU)	$2.99	7.55%
Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)	$20.14	5.56%
New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)	$5.22	5.45%
Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT)	$12.90	4.12%
Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)	$2.10	3.96%
Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA)	$2.29	3.62%
Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)	$44.49	3.47%
SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG)	$3.61	2.56%
Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG)	$2.87	2.50%
Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV)	$23.20	2.47%

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

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• Is the ASX 200 heading for a third straight fall as oil prices jump?
• 3 ASX 200 shares with 50% to 100% upside in FY27
• Why are Fletcher Building shares flying 7% higher today?
• Steadfast Group extends exclusivity on $6.00 per share takeover offer

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 Lovisa and Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Srg Global. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) delivered investors a total return of 7% last financial year.

That return was comprised of 2.77% capital growth and a 4.23% average dividend yield.

That’s an improvement on last year’s payout.

In FY25, dividends made up 3.84% of the total 13.81% return.

That was well below the long-term average of about 4.5%.

This last financial year, the market moved closer to the norm.

What pushed dividend yields higher last year?

The increase partly reflects higher earnings among resources companies due to rising commodity prices.

This contributed to an outstanding performance in the ASX 200 materials sector, which lead the 11 market sectors last year.

Materials stocks soared 47.48% and paid a healthy above-average dividend yield of 4.63%.

The energy sector paid an even higher dividend yield at 5.14% in FY26.

But neither paid the best dividend yield of the 11 market sectors.

That title belongs to a much more defensive segment.

Experts say capital gains tax (CGT) changes may prompt investors to seek better yield.

If that rings true for you, the following list will give you a general guide as to which sectors pay best.

Let’s take a look at the dividend yields of each of the 11 market sectors in FY26.

Which ASX sectors delivered the best dividend yields?

The sectors are listed in order of highest dividend yield for FY26.

Utilities

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) last year was 11.87%.

Dividends made up 5.98% of that total return.

Energy infrastructure company APA Group (ASX: APA) was the sector’s best performer for growth.

APA Group shares rose 24%, and are currently trading on a trailing dividend yield of 5.84%.

Energy

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was 14.51%.

Dividends represented 5.14% of that return.

ASX 200 coal  producer New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) had the strongest share price growth at 44%.

New Hope Corporation shares have a trailing dividend yield of 4.78%.

Materials

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) was 52.11% in FY26. 

Dividends made up 4.63% of that return.

The best performer was gold explorer, Minerals 260 Ltd (ASX: MI6), which rocketed 508% in FY26.

Minerals 260 does not pay dividends.

The largest company in the materials sector is BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP), which has a trailing yield of 3.47%.

Consumer Staples

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was 13.72%. 

Dividends represented 3.63% of that return.

Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW) was the top-performing consumer staples share, rising 29%.

Woolworths shares have a trailing yield of 2.24%.

Financials

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was 1.69%. 

The index lost 1.89% of its market cap last year, but dividends of 3.58% brought the sector into the green.

New Zealand-based infrastructure investment company, Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT) was the fastest riser, lifting 29%.

Infratil shares have a trailing dividend yield of 1.22%.

Industrials

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was 5.24%.

Dividends made up 3.55% of that return.

Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) shares were the fastest risers, rocketing 261%.

Electro Optic Systems does not pay dividends.

The biggest company in the sector is Transurban Group (ASX: TCL), which has a trailing yield of 4.68%.

Real estate & REITs

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Real Estate Index (ASX: XPJ) was a negative 2.24%.

The index dropped 5.32% in FY26, but an average dividend yield of 3.08% mitigated the capital loss.

Property fund manager Charter Hall Group (ASX: CHC) outperformed with capital growth of 19%.

The ASX 200 real estate investment trust (REIT) has a trailing dividend yield of 2.3%.

Communications

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Communications Index (ASX: XTJ) was a negative 9.41%.

The sector lost 12.4% of its value, but an average dividend yield of 2.99% partially offset the loss.

Aussie Broadband Ltd (ASX: ABB) shares rose the most, lifting 26%.

Aussie Broadband has a trailing dividend yield of 1.03%.

Consumer discretionary

The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) produced a negative total return of 1.21%.

The index fell 3.56%, but an average dividend yield of 2.35% reduced the impact.

The Eagers Automotive Ltd (ASX: APE) share price experienced the most growth, rising 22%.

Eagers Automotive shares have a trailing dividend yield of 3.43%.

Healthcare

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Health Care Index (ASX: XHJ) was a negative 36.15%.

The healthcare index fell 37.4%, and an average dividend yield of 1.25% did little to buoy investors’ spirits.

4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX) was the outperformer, with its share price skyrocketing 1,786%.

4DMedical does not pay dividends.

The largest company in the sector is CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL), which has a trailing dividend yield of 3.38%.

The healthcare sector is experiencing an extraordinary bounce back, with value investors returning just last month.

Since the pivot point on 3 June, the healthcare index has soared 23%.

Technology

The total return for the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) was a negative 36.97%.

The index lost 37.22% of its value, and a tiny average dividend yield of 0.25% was barely noticeable to investors.

The Aussie tech sector is comprised predominately of younger growth companies, and not many pay dividends yet.

ASX 200 tech shares tanked in FY26, with only four shares experiencing capital growth.

The stand-out was Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) shares, which rocketed 119%.

Codan shares have a trailing dividend yield of 0.8%.

Technology is also on the rebound after bottoming out on 30 March.

The post Which ASX 200 sectors paid the highest dividend yields in FY26? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

• 9 ASX 200 shares downgraded by analysts this week
• Is CSL a fallen ASX giant to buy in July?
• China’s CPI and PPI data drops today. Here is the potential impact for these ASX shares
• I’d buy these 5 ASX dividend investments for retirement income
• BHP shares may not double in 12 months but this ASX mining share could

Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen has positions in BHP Group. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Aussie Broadband, CSL, Electro Optic Systems, and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Apa Group and Transurban Group. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aussie Broadband, BHP Group, CSL, and Eagers Automotive Ltd. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) shares are 0.5% lower at 8.744 points on Thursday.

Meanwhile, brokers have increased their ratings on several ASX shares this week.

Let’s take a look.

Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)

The Santos share price is $7.64, up 1.8% today.

This ASX 200 energy share has fallen 1% over 12 months.

Morgan Stanley upgraded Santos shares to a buy rating this week.

The broker raised its 12-month price target from $7.50 to $7.67.

This suggests the stock is fully priced already.

Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)

The Woodside share price is $29.42, up 1.9% today.

Stock in the market’s largest oil and gas producer has risen 23% over 12 months.

Morgan Stanley upgraded Woodside shares to a hold rating on Monday.

The broker has a target price of $28, suggesting a 5% downside ahead.

IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO)

The IGO share price is $6.73, down 3.2% today.

This ASX 200 mining share was among the top 5 lithium stocks for capital growth over FY26.

The IGO share price ascended 77% to close out the year at $7.37 on 30 June.

Morgan Stanley upgraded IGO to a hold rating this week.

The broker raised its 12-month target from $6.85 to $6.95.

This suggests a potential 2% upside ahead.

Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL)

The Netwealth share price is $23.46, down 0.2% today.

This ASX 200 financial share has tumbled 33% over 12 months.

Ord Minnett upgraded Netwealth shares to a buy rating yesterday.

The broker increased its 12-month target from $25 to $26.

This suggests a potential 10% upside ahead.

HomeCo Daily Needs Ltd (ASX: HDN)

The HomeCo Daily Needs REIT share price is $1.27, up 0.2% today.

This ASX real estate investment trust (REIT) has risen 2.2% over 12 months.

Morgans upgraded the ASX REIT to a buy rating with a $1.36 target on Wednesday.

This implies potential capital growth of 7% over the next year.

Waypoint REIT (ASX: WPR)

The Waypoint REIT share price is $2.42, down 0.2% today.

This ASX real estate share has fallen 1% over 12 months.

Morgans upgraded Waypoint REIT shares to a buy with a $2.50 target yesterday.

This implies a potential 3% upside ahead.

Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR)

The Sandfire Resources share price is $17.98, down 1.6% today.

This ASX 200 copper share has rocketed 61% over 12 months amid a rising copper price.

Morgan Stanley upgraded Sandfire shares to a hold rating this week.

The broker increased its 12-month price target from $16 to $17.35.

This suggests a potential 4% downside ahead.

The post 7 ASX shares catching broker upgrades this week appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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