It was a disappointing conclusion to the trading week for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and many ASX shares this Friday. After the share market gave up its three-day winning streak yesterday, investors doubled down on the selling today.
By the close of trade, the ASX 200 had sunk by 0.33%, leaving it at 7,788.1 points.
This miserly showing from the local markets followed a notably more upbeat night over in the United States for American investors.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was virtually flat, slipping by just 0.0063%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was on fire, shooting up by a happy 1.68%.
But let's get back to the Australian markets now and take stock of how the various ASX sectors closed off the week
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Winners and losers
The worst corner of the markets this Friday was the consumer staples sector. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) had a horrid day, tanking 0.93%.
Its consumer discretionary counterpart wasn't too far behind either, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s fall of 0.75%.
Then we had real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) also had a day to forget, losing 0.71% of its value.
Communications stocks were on the nose too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) was given a 0.68% reduction by investors.
Energy stocks were in the firing line as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) took a 0.51% tumble by the closing bell.
Miners weren't riding to the rescue, as evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.38% decline.
Industrial shares also went poorly. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) slid down 0.32%.
Our final losers were ASX financial stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) slipped 0.21% today.
Turning now to the winners, it was gold shares leading the charge this Friday. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soared by a pleasing 1.49% by the end of the session.
Utilities stocks were hot property as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was given a 1.23% boost from investors this Friday.
Tech shares were also able to ride out the storm, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ)'s 0.45% lift.
Finally, healthcare stocks lived up to their name today, if only just, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) getting a 0.03% shot in the arm.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming in first place in the index today was gold miner Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL). Regis shares enjoyed a healthy 6.76% bounce today up to $2.21 a share.
Most ASX gold shares were performing well today thanks to new record highs for the precious metal, but Regis appeared to be the pick of the bunch
Here's a glance at the rest of this Friday's top ten:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $2.21 | 6.76% |
| Red 5 Ltd (ASX: RED) | $0.43 | 6.17% |
| IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) | $6.21 | 5.25% |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $5.03 | 5.23% |
| Netwealth Group Ltd (ASX: NWL) | $20.14 | 4.57% |
| Silver Lake Resources Ltd (ASX: SLR) | $1.38 | 3.76% |
| West African Resources Ltd (ASX: WAF) | $1.415 | 3.66% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $1.985 | 3.66% |
| Perseus Mining Ltd (ASX: PRU) | $2.35 | 3.07% |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $2.02 | 2.54% |
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.
