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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares endured yet another red session this hump day, its third in a row this week, and seventh in total. By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had slid another 0.27% lower, leaving the index below 8,700 points at a flat 8,687.

This rather woeful Wednesday for the local markets comes after a similarly downbeat night over on the American stock exchanges.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) managed to snatch a loss from the jaws of victory, losing 0.053%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was more decisive, though, dropping 0.9%.

But let's get back to ASX shares and assess the damage from today's trading amongst the different ASX sectors.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's drop today, we still saw quite a few sectors stay above water.

But first, it was healthcare stocks that copped it the hardest. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanked by 1.35% this session.

Financial shares were also on the nose, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) plunging 0.6%.

Gold stocks were no safe haven either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) shed 0.5% of its value.

Communications shares were only marginally better off, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.49% dive.

Consumer staples stocks found more sellers than buyers. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) went backwards by 0.41% this Wednesday.

Mining shares couldn't catch a break either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slipping 0.38%.

Let's get to the winners now. Leading said winners were utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soared 2.18% higher this Wednesday.

Energy shares ran hot too, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 1.27% surge.

Tech stocks were a little tamer. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) still put on 0.33%, though.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were a dead tie with tech, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) also adding 0.33% to its total.

Consumer discretionary shares also escaped the selling. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) went home 0.27% heavier this Wednesday.

Finally, industrial stocks scraped over the line, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s lucky 0.13% boost.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today's best share on the index boards was diversified services stock Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA). Codan shares rocketed 15.45% this session to close at a flat $42 each. This big jump came after the company issued a profit guidance upgrade.

Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA)	$42.00	15.45%
Lynas Rare Earths Ltd (ASX: LYC)	$19.68	5.18%
Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC)	$1.06	4.43%
Iluka Resources Ltd (ASX: ILU)	$8.03	3.61%
New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC)	$5.43	3.43%
Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB)	$2.22	3.26%
Origin Energy Ltd (ASX: ORG)	$12.03	3.17%
Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI)	$1.02	3.05%
Yancoal Australia Ltd (ASX: YAL)	$7.50	3.02%
Whitehaven Coal Ltd (ASX: WHC)	$8.23	2.88%

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 recommended Lynas Rare Earths Ltd. 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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