After initially rising, it ended up being a disappointing Tuesday for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO). Despite looking optimistic for much of the morning, the ASX 200 had lost steam by afternoon trading and ended up closing 0.19% lower. That leaves the index at 8,818.8 points as we approach the middle of the trading week.
Today's less-than-rosy numbers follow a far more optimistic start to the American trading week on Wall Street this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in fine form, gaining 0.81%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more bullish, catapulting up 2.27%.
But let's return to the local markets now and see how today's pessimism affected the various ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
Despite the drop of the broader market, there were plenty of green sectors this Tuesday, with only three sectors going backwards..
Today's hardest-hit sector was financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) copped a nasty beating, crashing 2.82% lower.
Tech stocks were negative too, although they were hit far less severely, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) diving 0.3%.
Our other rough patch was healthcare shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) only just missed out, slipping by 0.03%.
Today's winners were again led by gold stocks, as you can see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 2.44% surge.
Utilities shares also ran hot. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soared 1.7% higher this Tuesday.
We could say the same for energy stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) surging 1.33%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) joined the winners as well. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) lifted up 1.17%.
Mining shares were also in demand, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 1.01% spike.
Communications stocks were right on those coattails. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was bumped up 0.89%.
Consumer discretionary shares were also popular, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) adding 0.82%.
Its consumer staples counterpart didn't miss out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) rose 0.67% today.
Finally, industrial shares made the winner's cut, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.34% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
The best stock on the market this Tuesday turned out to be gaming share Light & Wonder Inc (ASX LNW). Light & Wonder stock shot up a robust 10.99% to close at $138.82. As we discussed today, this gain appears to have come from a few different catalysts.
Here's how the other winners from this session landed their planes: