The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a horror-show end to the trading week this Friday as investors pulled back dramatically from the new all-time highs we saw just yesterday amid fears over the health of the American economy.
By the time trading concluded this session, the ASX 200 had crashed by a horrid 2.11%, leaving the Index at 7,943.2 points in what was the worst day of trading for the Index in more than a year.
This horrific day for ASX shares follows an equally awful night of trading over on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) was slammed down 1.21% last night.
But things were even worse for the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which tanked by 2.3%.
Let's now grit our teeth and return to the ASX for a look at how the various ASX sectors coped with this steep sell-off.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
As one would expect, it was carnage on the ASX boards today, with only one (predictable) sector eeking out a rise.
But first, let's get the losers out of the way.
Leading said losers were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) was hung out to dry today, getting smashed with a 3% sell-down.
It wasn't much better for real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) cratering 2.96%.
Tech stocks were eviscerated as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) tanking 2.76%.
Next off the cliff were ASX financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) got served with a 2.59% sell-off today.
Energy stocks were left out in the cold as well, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 2.39% crash.
We could say the same for industrial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) was hit with a 1.71% drop.
Healthcare stocks certainly didn't live up to their name this Friday, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 1.58% loss.
Mining shares didn't have a great time either. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slumped 1.47%.
Communications stocks weren't spared, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) shedding 1.3% of its value.
Nor were consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was sent home missing 1.26%.
Utilities stocks were our final losers. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) almost pulled off a rise, but ended up inching 0.06% lower.
Finally, our sole winners this Friday were gold shares, the safe haven for nervous investors. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rose 0.18% today.
But it was all smiles for the rest of the market.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winning share, tech stock Block Inc (ASX: SQ2), didn't have a lot of competition. Block shares soared a confident 5.1% today up to $100.10 each.
This came after Block revealed its latest quarterly results, which investors evidently thought were top-notch.
Here's the rest of today's lucky winners:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Block Inc (ASX: SQ2) | $100.10 | 5.10% |
| Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) | $17.14 | 4.19% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $76.20 | 1.48% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $5.52 | 1.47% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.745 | 1.45% |
| Chorus Ltd (ASX: CNU) |
$7.29 | 0.83% |
| Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Ltd (ASX: FPH) | $29.94 | 0.54% |
| Ampol Ltd (ASX: ALD) | $33.73 | 0.51% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $2.12 | 0.47% |
| Sonic Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SHL) | $27.53 | 0.44% |
Enjoy the weekend!
Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that lets you know 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.
