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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) kicked off the week's trading on a rather sour note this Monday. After a lacklustre week last week, it seems the weekend did nothing to cheer investors up.

After staying in red territory all session, the ASX 200 ended up finishing down 0.23%. That leaves the index at 8,766.4 points.

This rather depressing start to the Australian trading week comes after a more nuanced end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in the same mould as the ASX, dropping 0.16%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared far better, roaring 1.63% higher.

But let's get back to this week and our local markets now, and check out what was happening amongst the different ASX sectors this Monday.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's overall loss, we still had a few sectors that put on some weight.

But first, utilities stocks were the biggest drag on the markets. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) plunged a nasty 2.81% lower this session.

Energy shares were also out of favour, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) tanking 1.87%.

Communications stocks were only a little better. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) cratered by 1.19% today.

Tech shares were on the nose, too, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.94% dive.

Consumer staples stocks were no safe haven. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) had retreated 0.6% by the close of trading.

Nor were financial shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) dipping 0.47%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't spared either. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) lost 0.13% of its value this Monday.

Consumer discretionary stocks weren't finding buyers, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.09% slide.

Our last losers for the day were Industrial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) saw its total slip by 0.07%.

Let's turn to the winners now. It was gold stocks that captured most of today's buying pressure, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring 1.63% higher.

Broader mining shares got a look in too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) lifted 0.63% this session.

Finally, our other winners were healthcare stocks, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.07% uptick.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today's index champion was toll road operator Atlas Arteria (ASX: ALX). Atlas shares had a blowout today, rocketing 13.39% higher to $4.91 each.

This gain came after it emerged that the company had received a takeover offer of $4.75 to $5.10 per share. So, no surprise to see Atlas Arteria shares move towards that range today.

Here's the rest of today's best:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Atlas Arteria (ASX: ALX)	$4.91	13.39%
Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM)	$166.16	6.79%
Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1)	$9.34	5.06%
IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX)	$4.27	4.66%
IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO)	$7.32	4.42%
4DMedical Ltd (ASX: 4DX)	$4.97	4.41%
Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM)	$1.54	4.41%
Vulcan Energy Resources Ltd (ASX: VUL)	$3.80	4.11%
PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS)	$5.93	2.77%
Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN)	$13.08	2.51%

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 positions in Newmont. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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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