It was a rather woeful Wednesday session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares today. After falling at both Monday and Tuesday's sessions this week, the ASX 200 made it three-for-three today, losing another 0.37%.
That leaves the index back under 8,800 points at 8,782.9.
This unhappy hump day for the Australian markets comes after a dire morning up on the American markets
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had an awful time of it, dropping 1.76%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was smashed even harder, plunging 2.39%.
But let's get back to the local markets now and check out how today's less-than-desirable trading conditions affected the various ASX sectors today.
Winners and losers
Despite the market's fall, there were still a few sectors that came out ahead. But more on those in a moment.
Firstly, it was tech stocks that took the brunt of today's pessimism. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) saw its value cut by 2.5%.
Consumer discretionary shares were hit hard as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) diving 2.14%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't much better. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) tanked by 1.63% this session.
Communications stocks weren't spared either, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 1.26% plunge.
Nor were financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) dipped 1.58% today.
Industrial shares had a rough time, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) cratered by 1.26%.
Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) retreating 0.68%.
Healthcare shares didn't manage to live up to their name this Wednesday either. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lost 0.56%.
Let's turn to the winners now. Gold stocks led today's green sectors, as you can see from the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 4.79% surge.
Broader mining shares ran hot as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) soared up 2.5%.
Utilities stocks had a decent showing too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) jumping 0.99%.
Finally, we could say the same for energy shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.89% spike this hump day.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Leading today's winners was gold miner Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR). Emerald shares rocketed 13.23% this session to finish at $7.96 each.
This price hike came after the company made a well-received announcement regarding one of its mines.
Here's how the top stocks pulled up at the kerb this hump day: