It was a return to red ink for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Wednesday, as investors lost the steam that had been powering a recovery over the past few trading days.
By the time trading wrapped up, the ASX 200 had descended by a decisive 0.41%, leaving the index at 7,828.3 points.
This rather woeful Wednesday for the local markets follows a similarly negative morning session up on Wall Street.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) gave up some of its recent gains, dropping 0.62%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) was even more bearish, tumbling 1.71%.
But let's get back to the ASX now to take stock of how the various ASX sectors fared amid today's tough trading conditions.
Winners and losers
It was almost a red wash today, with only a few sectors eking out a rise.
Firstly, the worst-hit sector this Wednesday was utilities stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) was singled out for punishment today, cratering 1.58%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were also on the nose, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) plunging 1.3%.
Gold shares didn't have a great time either. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) tanked down 1.01%.
Industrial stocks were right behind that, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.99% slump.
Then we had tech stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) saw 0.97% cut from its value.
Mining shares came next, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) recording a 0.66% loss.
Following miners were consumer staples stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) was sent home 0.59% lighter this Wednesday.
Financial shares were a little better though, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.26% slide.
Our final losers were consumer discretionary stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) had slipped 0.09% lower by the closing bell.
Turning to the winners now, these, fittingly, were led by healthcare shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) vaulting 0.54% higher today.
Communications stocks also caught a break. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) saw its value lift by 0.19%.
Finally, energy shares escaped unscathed, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ)'s 0.03% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's best share was Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA). Codan shares rose by a confident 6.63% to finish at $15.28 each.
This rise came despite no fresh news or developments out of the company.
Here's how the other winners landed the plane today:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Codan Ltd (ASX: CDA) | $15.28 | 6.63% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $1.05 | 4.48% |
| New Hope Corporation Ltd (ASX: NHC) | $4.20 | 4.22% |
| QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) | $21.93 | 4.08% |
| JB Hi-Fi Ltd (ASX: JBH) | $88.72 | 3.60% |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $2.49 | 3.32% |
| AUB Group Ltd (ASX: AUB) | $27.91 | 2.41% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR)) | $0.74 | 2.08% |
| Washington H. Soul Pattinson and Co Ltd (ASX: SOL) | $33.52 | 2.07% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $27.70 | 2.03% |
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.
