The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a disappointing Tuesday today.
After starting the week off on a confident note yesterday, investors were back to reality for today's session, sending the ASX 200 down 0.15%. That leaves the index at 7,851.7 points.
This dour Tuesday comes after a mixed start to the American trading week up on Wall Street last night (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) had a rough trot, dropping by a substantial 0.49%.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared far better, galloping 0.65% higher.
But enough of that. Let's now see what was going on today in terms of the market's various ASX sectors.
Winners and losers
Despite the bad mood of the markets this Tuesday, we still saw quite a few sectors record a rise. But more of that in a moment.
Our biggest losers for the day were communications stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) had an awful day, tanking 1.05%.
Mining shares were also targeted by investors. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) ended up slumping 0.72%.
Gold stocks couldn't escape their mining peers' fate. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) slid down 0.58%.
Healthcare shares weren't in favour either, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) losing 0.52% of its value.
Nor were real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slipped by 0.28%.
But, believe it or not, that's it for the losers.
Turning to the winners now, and it was tech stocks that dominated today's buying. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) soared by 0.72%.
Industrial shares also had a great time, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) surging 0.66%.
Consumer discretionary stocks were in demand as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lifting 0.31%.
They were closely followed by their consumer staples counterparts. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) enjoyed a 0.23% bounce.
Utilities shares also counted themselves lucky, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) rising 0.21%.
Then we had ASX energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) swelled by 0.09% by the close of trading.
Finally, financial shares were another bright spot, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.04% inch higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Topping the index this Tuesday was services share ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ).
ALS shares got sent 5% higher up to $14.48 each today, thanks to the company reporting some solid results this morning.
Here's a look at the rest of today's top stocks:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) | $14.48 | 5.00% |
| TechnologyOne Ltd (ASX: TNE) | $16.75 | 4.56% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $17.26 | 4.35% |
| Healius Ltd (ASX: HLS) | $1.305 | 3.98% |
| Smartgroup Corporation Ltd (ASX: SIQ) | $8.43 | 3.69% |
| Life360 Inc (ASX: 360) | $16.55 | 3.50% |
| IPH Ltd (ASX: IPH) | $6.37 | 3.41% |
| Qantas Airways Limited (ASX: QAN) | $6.27 | 3.29% |
| Red 5 Ltd (ASX: RED) | $0.49 | 3.16% |
| Audinate Group Ltd (ASX: AD8) | $16.72 | 2.96% |
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.
