It's been a mixed return to trading for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) after the Easter break.
This Tuesday saw the ASX 200 hit yet another new record high during intra-day trading – 7,910.5 points.
However, investor sentiment cooled soon afterwards, and the index recorded a loss for the session, dropping 0.11% down to 7,887.9 points by the closing bell.
This mixed bag for ASX shares follows a more dour night over on the US markets last night (which weren't shut for Easter Monday).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) convincingly retreated, shedding 0.6% of its value.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared much better, eking out a gain of 0.11%.
But let's get back to the local markets, and see how the different ASX sectors handled the resumption of trading.
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Winners and losers
Leading the worst sectors on the market today were communication shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) certainly had a day to forget, tanking by 0.97%.
Healthcare stocks didn't do much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) cratering 0.94%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also in the firing line. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) endured a 0.88% sell-off today.
Consumer discretionary stocks were on the nose too. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) ended up bucking by 0.84%.
Industrial shares had a rough time as well, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s fall of 0.68%.
Another loser was the consumer staples sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) wasn't quite as shunned as its discretionary stablemate, but still dropped 0.62%.
Tech stocks fared poorly as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) woke up on the wrong side of the bed, illustrated by its 0.6% decline.
ASX financial shares weren't making any new friends either. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) ended up falling 0.15% lower.
That's it for the red sectors. Turning now to today's winners, our first port of call is gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had another corker. Fuelled by record-high gold prices, this index ballooned 3.47% higher today.
Broader mining shares were also in hot demand. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) surged by a pleasing 1.08%.
There was clearly a commodities theme today, with energy stocks taking out the third spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had a strong day, pushing 0.62% higher.
Our last winners were utilities shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) had a decent day too, gaining 0.36%.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
As you can tell from the below list, ASX gold shares dominated today's top ten list, thanks to record-high precious metal prices. But coming out on top was gold miner West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF).
West African shares popped a pleasing 6.25% up to $1.275 each. That was despite no specific news out of the company itself today.
Here's the aforementioned list for your perusal:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.275 | 6.25% |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $3.79 | 5.87% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $56.35 | 4.92% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $1.435 | 4.74% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.65 | 4.43% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $1.935 | 4.31% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $3.05 | 4.10% |
| Red 5 Ltd (ASX: RED) | $0.395 | 3.95% |
| De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) | $1.315 | 3.95% |
| Nickel Industries Ltd (ASX: NIC) | $0.835 | 3.09% |
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.
