The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a rough mid-week session this Wednesday, building on the negativity we saw during yesterday’s trading. After opening sharply lower this morning, the ASX 200 spent most of the session recovering. But it was not enough to break even. The index ended up closing 0.21% lower at 8,785.1 points. 

This tough hump day for ASX investors followed a similarly bearish session on the American markets.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) did start well, but quickly lost all momentum to finish down 0.25%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, dropping 1.16%.

But let’s get back to the Australian bourse now and dive a little deeper into what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Despite the market’s loss, we still had a few corners of the market that managed to prosper today.

But first, it was again gold shares that copped it hardest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had another bruising session, cratering by 2.36%.

Communications stocks were hit hard as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) plunging 2.1%.

Mining shares were also on the nose. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) took a 2% dive this Wednesday.

Tech stocks were in the firing line too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)’s 1.87% tumble.

Industrial shares came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its value cut by 0.52%.

Healthcare stocks were our last losers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sliding down 0.32%.

Turning to the green sectors, it was energy shares that topped the tables. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) vaulted 3.25% higher this hump day.

Utilities stocks also had a day to remember, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)’s 1.22% spike.

Consumer staples shares proved to be a safe haven, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) surged up 1.04% this session.

Financial stocks attracted attention as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) leaping up 0.65%.

Next came real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) advanced 0.52% today.

Finally, consumer discretionary shares stayed out of trouble, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)’s 0.4% jump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

This Wednesday’s winning stock was energy share Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR). Karoon shares roared 6.64% higher this session to finish at $1.45 each. There wasn’t any news out from the company today, but most energy shares did very well.

Here’s how the other top stocks tied up at the dock: 

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Karoon Energy Ltd (ASX: KAR)	$1.45	6.64%
Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)	$7.50	5.78%
Stockland Corporation Ltd (ASX: SGP)	$4.09	5.14%
Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)	$5.45	4.01%
LeandLease Group (ASX: LLC)	$3.12	4.00%
Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI)	$0.685	3.79%
Mirvac Group (ASX: MGR)	$1,72	3.30%
Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA)	$2.22	3.26%
Woodside Energy Group Ltd (ASX: WDS)	$28.87	3.22%
Nick Scali Ltd (ASX: NCK)	$16.28	2.71%

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 recommended Nick Scali. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

BHP Group Ltd (ASX: BHP) shares are sliding on Wednesday as investors react to reports of looming strike action at its Western Australian port operations.

At the time of writing, the BHP share price is down 3.16% to $57.01. By comparison, the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) is down 0.5% to 8,759 points.

The fall comes after a strong run for the ASX mining stock. BHP shares are still up around 25% since the start of 2026 and almost 50% over the past year.

Here’s what the report said.

Strike threat hits Port Hedland

According to The Australian, a coalition of unions is preparing to take strike action at BHP’s port operations in Western Australia.

The action is expected to involve workers at Port Hedland, which plays a major role in the handling, blending, and loading of iron ore.

The unions reportedly said workers would walk off the job for 8 hours on 16 July.

While that may not sound huge, the site is particularly important. Port Hedland is one of the world’s biggest bulk export ports and a key part of BHP’s iron ore business.

Reports say the strike would involve 236 of about 450 employees working across BHP’s port operations.

The dispute appears to centre on pay, conditions, career progression, and enforceable terms for port workers.

Why this could hurt BHP

BHP has previously warned that a shutdown at Port Hedland could cost the company around US$90 million, or $129 million, a day.

But the real risk is whether this could potentially turn into a longer standoff between BHP and the unions.

And the timing does not help either.

BHP shares have had a superb run over the past year, helped by stronger iron ore prices and better appetite for large miners.

With the stock still up almost 50% over that period, some investors may have been happy to take a bit of profit today.

The next date to watch

The planned walkout is set for 16 July, which gives BHP and the unions a short window to reach a deal.

If an agreement is reached before then, today’s fall may not amount to much more than a pause after a solid run.

But if the strike goes ahead, attention may quickly turn to whether more stoppages could follow.

Iron ore remains the main driver of BHP’s earnings, and Port Hedland is an important part of getting those tonnes out of Western Australia.

For now, investors seem to be taking some risk off the table while they wait to see whether the strike goes ahead.

The post BHP shares tumble as strike threat hits iron ore giant appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

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Motley Fool contributor Aaron Teboneras 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 recommended BHP Group. 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 down 0.5% to 8,757.9 points on Wednesday.

Among the 11 market sectors, energy is in the lead today, up 2.9%, while materials is the laggard, down 2.3%. 

Meanwhile, on The Bull, three experts give us their views on three ASX 200 shares.

Let’s check them out.   

Resmed CDI (ASX: RMD)

Resmed shares are $31.37 apiece, down 0.2% on Wednesday.

The Resmed share price fell 26.6% to $28.88 in FY26 amid a broader healthcare sector downturn.

Blake Halligan from Catapult Wealth has a buy rating on this ASX 200 healthcare share.

Halligan said:

ResMed is a global leader in sleep apnoea devices and digital health platforms, benefiting from strong structural demand and resilient clinical positioning.

Despite the progression in GLP-1 therapies for treating sleep apnoea, ResMed’s CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) treatments remain superior at this point in time.

RMD continues to offer appealing growth, income and defensive healthcare exposure.

Goodman Group (ASX: GMG)

The Goodman Group share price is $30.07, down 2% today.

Goodman Group shares fell 9.1% in FY26 and finished the year at $31.13 on 30 June.

Remo Greco from Sanlam Private Wealth has a hold rating on this ASX 200 real estate investment trust (REIT).

Greco said: 

Goodman Group is a global industrial property and data centre developer. Data centres under construction represent 73 per cent of work in progress, according to the company’s third quarter update in fiscal year 2026.

In our view, GMG trades at an elevated valuation, reflecting a lot of potential growth options for the business. The shares have risen from $25.08 on March 30 to trade at $30.645 on July 2.

Investors can continue holding the stock after a recent strong share price performance, but should monitor the news flow to gauge if developments are meeting investor expectations.

Endeavour Group Ltd (ASX: EDV)

Endeavour shares are $3.41 apiece, up 1.6% today.

The Endeavour share price fell 19% to close out FY26 at $3.25 on 30 June.

James Bills from Shaw and Partners has a sell rating on this ASX 200 consumer staples share. 

Bills said: 

Endeavour operates liquor outlets, hotels and gaming facilities. It’s navigating a more challenging consumer environment amid cost pressures in fiercely competitive sectors.

While the company has a strong asset base and market position, we believe near term performance is likely to remain subdued.

With limited catalysts for a re-rating, the stock lacks appeal at this stage of the cycle, in our view.

The shares have fallen from $4.04 on March 2 to trade at $3.375 on July 2.

 

The post Buy, hold, sell: Goodman Group, Endeavour, Resmed shares appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

More reading

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• Why these ASX shares could rise 20% to 30%
• July is historically one of the best months for ASX shares. Can July FY27 deliver?
• 7 ASX 200 shares given buy ratings this week
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Motley Fool contributor Bronwyn Allen 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 and ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended ResMed. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Goodman Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.