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It was yet another red day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday, cementing what has become a pattern of pessimism on the Australian markets. In its seventh red session in a row, the ASX 200 closed down a miserly 0.24% today. That leaves the index at 8,665.8 points.

This unhappy Thursday session for ASX investors follows a more mixed night on Wall Street last night.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was in a foul mood, dropping by 0.57%.

However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to stay above ground, inching 0.038% higher.

But let's return to the local markets now and check out what was happening amongst the various ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's bad mood, we saw far more green sectors than red ones today. But more on those in a moment.

First, it was consumer staples shares that were the most heavily sold off. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) got hit by a veritable truck, crashing 4.98% lower.

Gold stocks were slammed too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanking 4.5%.

Broader mining shares were also in the firing line. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) plunged 2.65% today.

Healthcare stocks were far tamer, though, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.62% dive.

And that's it for the losers.

Turning to the winners now, energy shares ran hottest. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) enjoyed a 1.37% leap higher this Thursday.

Communications stocks got a lot of attention as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) surging 1.32%.

Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were in a similar ballpark. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) soared up 1.25%.

Industrial shares were in demand too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.04% jump.

Financial stocks proved popular. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) added 0.96% to its total today.

As did utilities shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) advancing 0.95%.

Tech stocks found themselves on the right side of the ledger, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lifted 0.66% by the market close.

Finally, consumer discretionary shares also escaped the selling, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.59% gain.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Today's winning stock was none other than the stock market operator itself, ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX). ASX shares rose by a happy 5.1% today to finish at $60.80 each.

This move came after the company announced a leadership change.

Here's how the other top stocks tied up at the dock:

ASX-listed company	Share price	Price change
ASX Ltd (ASX: ASX)	$60.80	5.10%
Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)	$94.00	4.44%
Generation Development Group Ltd (ASX: GDG)	$3.88	4.30%
AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB)	$25.70	3.92%
IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL)	$3.29	3.46%
WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)	$42.72	3.41%
Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG)	$7.51	3.16%
Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN)	$63.71	2.96%
Santos Ltd (ASX: STO)	$8.00	2.96%
Viva Energy Group Ltd (ASX: VEA)	$2.46	2.93%

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 Cochlear and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Aub Group, Cochlear, and Generation Development Group. 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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