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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) just endured a brutal mid-week sell-off, continuing the negative momentum we saw yesterday. In one of its worst days in months (And certainly of 2026 thus far), the ASX 200 plunged a horrid 1.94% this Wednesday. That drop leaves the index well under 9,000 points at 8,901.2.

This horrendous day for the Australian markets follows a rough morning on Wall Street for American investors.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) ended its session 0.83% lower after tanking more than 2% at one point.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, losing 1.02% of its value after a near-3% loss during intra-day trading.

But let's grit our teeth and return to the local markets now for a checkup on how today's tough trading conditions affected the different ASX sectors.

Winners and losers

All sectors were hit by today's market fear, with not one avoiding a loss.

The best place to be was in communications stocks, though. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) fared relatively well, 'only' slipping by 0.11%.

Tech shares also got off lightly, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) sliding 0.34%.

Energy stocks were in that ballpark, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was sent home 0.4% lighter today.

Healthcare shares suffered a lot more, though, as evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.08% retreat.

Utilities stocks fared similarly. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) went backwards by 1.13%.

Consumer discretionary shares were next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) dipping 1.22%.

Industrial stocks weren't finding any friends either. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) took a 1.61% tumble this Wednesday.

Financial shares were where the pain really started, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 1.9% plunge.

Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) took a 2.05% dive today.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also abandoned, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) plunging 2.42%.

Mining shares took an even harder blow. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanked by a nasty 2.98% this hump day.

Finally, gold stocks were the hardest hit corner of the markets this session, as you can see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 3.93% collapse.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

There wasn't much competition for our best-faring stocks this Wednesday. But leading the winners was steelmaker BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL). Bluescope shares managed to ride out today's carnage with a 3.36% rise to $27.79 a share.

This market-bucking rise wasn't the result of any news or announcements out of the company, though.

Here's how the other winners from today's trading tied up at the dock:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
BlueScope Steel Ltd (ASX: BSL)	$27.79	3.31%
News Corporation (ASX: NWS)	$37.74	2.25%
Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO)	$80.46	2.03%
Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK)	$16.06	1.84%
Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)	$8.34	1.83%
TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE)	$25.19	1.70%
Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME)	$116.19	1.67%
REA Group Ltd (ASX: REA)	$164.25	1.65%
Alcoa Corporation (ASX: AAI)	$90.77	1.41%
Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG)	$19.00	1.39%

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.

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 Technology One and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has recommended Pro Medicus. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Pro Medicus and Technology One. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

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