The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a pullback this Wednesday, with investors seemingly consolidating after yesterday's new record high for the index. The ASX 200 retreated 0.41% today, leaving the index at 8,284.7 points.
This red day for ASX shares follows a rough night over on the American markets last night.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) retreated by a chunky 0.75% overnight. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, tumbling 1.01%.
Let's get back to the Australian markets now and see what was going on amongst the various ASX sectors this hump day.
Image source: Getty Images
Winners and losers
To no one's surprise, we had far more losers than winners today.
Tech shares led the charge off the cliff. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) had an awful day, tanking 1.35%.
Utilities stocks had a day to forget as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) cratering 1.21%.
Consumer staples shares weren't riding to the rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) plunged 1.16% today.
Industrial stocks also suffered, as illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 1.11% dive.
As did healthcare stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) sank by 1.04% today.
ASX communications shares weren't much better, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) retreating 0.83%.
Energy stocks also had a miserable time. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) ended up losing 0.73% of its value.
Consumer discretionary shares took a tumble as well, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s loss of 0.67%.
Mining stocks saw some selling pressure too. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slid 0.44% lower.
Last for the losers were real estate investment trusts (REITs), with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) slipping 0.06%.
Turning now to the far less numerous winners, it was gold shares that shone the brightest. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) rocketed another 2.59% higher today.
Finally, financial stocks also escaped today's pessimism, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.27% rise.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Most gold miners had a great day today, but the index's leading stock was Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN). The Evolution share price exploded 6.82% higher today to finish at $5.01.
In addition to a high gold price, investors were flocking to Evolution shares today after the miner released a well-received quarterly update.
Here's a look at the rest of today's winners:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) | $5.01 | 6.82% |
| Regis Resources Ltd (ASX: RRL) | $2.56 | 6.67% |
| Bank of Queensland Ltd (ASX: BOQ) | $6.68 | 6.54% |
| Genesis Minerals Ltd (ASX: GMD) | $2.19 | 5.29% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $6.43 | 4.55% |
| Westgold Resources Ltd (ASX: WGX) | $2.70 | 3.85% |
| Newmont Corporation (ASX: NEM) | $83.22 | 2.58% |
| Judo Capital Holdings Ltd (ASX: JDO) | $1.81 | 2.55% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.86 | 2.20% |
| Ramelius Resources Ltd (ASX: RMS) | $2.33 | 2.19% |
Our top 10 shares countdown is a recurring end-of-day summary that shows 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.
