Winners and losers
There were far more red sectors this session than green ones.
Leading those red sectors were mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) continued its recent run of bad fortune, cratering by another 1.61%. Gold stocks weren't much better, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanking 1.45%.
Financial shares had a rough one as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) endured a 1.09% plunge today.
Industrial stocks were also on the nose, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.02% dive.
Consumer discretionary shares had a day to forget. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) had dipped 0.84% by the end of trading.
As did real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) retreating 0.67%.
Consumer staples stocks came next. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) slid 0.25% lower this Friday.
Our last losers were tech shares, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.08% slip.
Turning to the winners now, it was healthcare stocks that shone the brightest. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) soared 1.2% higher this session.
Utilities shares ran hot as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) bouncing 0.72% higher.
Energy stocks were right behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) added 0.71% to its value today.
Finally, communications shares pulled off a win, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.24% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our top ASX 200 stock to end the week was gold share Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL). Catalyst stock shot up 8.4% to close at $6.58. That came despite no news from the company today.
Here's the rest of today's best: