The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) has suffered another red day this Wednesday, extending yesterday's nasty losses for the local share market. By the close of trading, the ASX 200 had endured a loss of 0.29%, which leaves the index at 7,393.1 points.
This miserly hump day follows a similarly dour night of trade up on the US markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn't in a good mood for the American Tuesday session, retreating by 0.62%.
The Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) managed to get a slightly better result, but still went backwards by 0.19%.
But let's return to the local markets now with a look at what the various ASX sectors were up to today.
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Winners and losers
The biggest loser for today's session was the gold sector. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had an absolute clanger, tanking by a horrid 5.27%.
Following gold were energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) continued to sell off, losing another 1.2%.
Continuing with the commodities theme, next up was the mining sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) wasn't immune from the woes of its peers, and shed 0.77% over today's trading.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also on the nose today, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) shedding 0.69%.
Another sore spot was communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had a disappointing session, retreating by 0.45%.
Financial shares ended up in the red as well, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s loss of 0.27%.
But that's it for the losers today. Turning to the green sectors, it was utilities stocks leading the charge higher. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) had a day to remember, surging by 0.95%.
Tech shares were also hot, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) adding 0.6% to its total.
Healthcare stocks were close behind, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) rising 0.46%.
Then we had consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) put on a decent showing too with its 0.21% vault higher.
Industrial stocks were just behind that, as is evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.17% bump.
And finally, consumer discretionary stocks also joined the party, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) inching up 0.13%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Our index winner this Wednesday turned out to be A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M).
A2 Shares climbed by a healthy 5.53% today to $4.20 each. That was despite a lack of any price-sensitive news out from A2 during today's session.
Here's a look at the rest of today's top-performing stocks:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| A2 Milk Company Ltd (ASX: A2M) | $4.20 | 5.53% |
| Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL) | $8.84 | 5.11% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $11.23 | 3.98% |
| Deterra Royalties Ltd (ASX: DRR) | $5.04 | 3.92% |
| Bega Cheese Ltd (ASX: BGA) | $3.53 | 3.22% |
| Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) | $16.52 | 2.42% |
| IRESS Ltd (ASX: IRE) | $8.03 | 2.16% |
| Boral Limited (ASX: BLD) | $5.33 | 1.91% |
| Computershare Ltd (ASX: CPU) | $25.28 | 1.81% |
| Aristocrat Leisure Limited (ASX: ALL) | $121.45 | 1.78% |
Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary to let you know which companies were making big moves on the day. Check in at Fool.com.au after the weekday market closes to see which stocks make the countdown.
