It was yet another negative session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Thursday, the fourth red session for the Australian markets in a row this week.
After opening sharply lower at the start of morning trading, the ASX 200 did recover a little over the day. But it wasn't nearly enough to save investors from a loss. By the time trading finished, the index had lost 0.26% and closed at 8,762.5 points.
This depressing Thursday for the local markets came after a mixed night over on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn't in a good place, dropping 1.09%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared far better, rising 0.2%.
Let's get back to the local markets now and check out how today's tough trading conditions have percolated down into the various ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
Despite the market's bad mood this Thursday, there were plenty of sectors that were spared from a sell-down.
But first, it was mining stocks that got slammed the hardest today. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) ended up crashing 1.48% lower.
Gold shares had another rough one too, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tumbling 1.24%.
We can say the same for real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) sank 1.1% by the closing bell.
Financial stocks were a little better, though, as illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.15% slip.
Turning to the green sectors now, energy shares had a blowout. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up surging 1.67% higher.
Utilities stocks also ran hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) soaring 1.28%.
Consumer staples shares were solid. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) galloped 0.97% higher this session.
Tech stocks were in demand too, as you can see by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.92% bounce.
Communications shares fared decently. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) added 0.89% to its total today.
As did consumer discretionary stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) advancing 0.58%.
Healthcare shares stayed afloat. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) lifted 0.13% this Thursday.
Finally, industrial stocks got over the line, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.12% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top stock was building supplies company Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU). Fletcher shares rocketed 7.55% this session to $2.99 each.
This followed the stock releasing some updated earnings guidance, which investors clearly appreciated.
Here's how the other winners pulled up at the kerb:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Fletcher Building Ltd (ASX: FBU) | $2.99 | 7.55% |
| Megaport Ltd (ASX: MP1) | $20.14 | 5.56% |
| New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) | $5.22 | 5.45% |
| Infratil Ltd (ASX: IFT) | $12.90 | 4.12% |
| Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) | $2.10 | 3.96% |
| Tuas Ltd (ASX: TUA) | $2.29 | 3.62% |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $44.49 | 3.47% |
| SRG Global Ltd (ASX: SRG) | $3.61 | 2.56% |
| Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) | $2.87 | 2.50% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $23.20 | 2.47% |
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.
The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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 Lovisa and Megaport. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Lovisa and Srg Global. 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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