The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a woeful Wednesday session today. After rising over the past two trading days, it was evidently time for investors to take a breather this hump day.
The ASX 200 took a big 0.83% hit this session, which leaves the index at 8,180.4 points.
This less-than-wonderful Wednesday for ASX shares follows a mixed night for American shares over on the US markets in the early hours of this morning (our time).
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) took a bit of a hit, dropping 0.36%.
But things were rosier over on the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC), which rose 0.78%.
Let's get back to the local markets now and check out how the various ASX sectors navigated today's pessimistic trading conditions.
Winners and losers
It shouldn't come as a surprise to learn that only a few people won today. But more on those soon.
Kicking off with the loser today, no sector lost more than consumer staples shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) had a horrid day, crashing 3.56% lower.
Its consumer discretionary counterpart fared slightly better, but the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) still tanked 1.29%.
ASX healthcare stocks also had a bruising day. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) tanked 1.23% this session.
Utilities shares weren't much of an improvement, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 1.12% plunge.
Financial stocks found themselves on the wrong side of the ledger too. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) cratered 0.9% today.
Industrial shares were right behind, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) getting a 0.88% downgrade.
Energy stocks couldn't break out of the malaise. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had slumped 0.74% by the closing bell.
Mining shares were a slight improvement though, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.44% loss.
Tech stocks endured selling pressure as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) retreated 0.32%.
Our final red sector was communications shares, with the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) sliding 0.3% lower.
Turning to the winners now, it was real estate investment trusts (REITs) that received the most love today. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) shot up 0.5%.
The other winners were gold stocks. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) got a 0.08% bump.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Coming in on top today was tech stock Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL). Data #3 shares rose by a chunky 6.05% up to $7.71.
This comes after the company held its annual general meeting today, which investors clearly appreciated.
Here's a look at the rest of today's winners:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Data#3 Ltd (ASX: DTL) | $7.71 | 6.05% |
| News Corporation (ASX: NWS) | $44.87 | 3.27% |
| Pro Medicus Ltd (ASX: PME) | $197.52 | 3.07% |
| De Grey Mining Ltd (ASX: DEG) | $1.49 | 2.76% |
| Lovisa Holdings Ltd (ASX: LOV) | $29.71 | 2.70% |
| Pinnacle Investment Management Ltd (ASX: PNI) | $20.14 | 2.23% |
| IDP Education Ltd (ASX: IEL) | $14.11 | 2.10% |
| Telix Pharmaceuticals Ltd (ASX: TLX) | $21.10 | 1.88% |
| Corporate Travel Management Ltd (ASX: CTD) | $11.84 | 1.54% |
| Coronado Global Resources Inc (ASX: CRN) | $1.00 | 1.52% |
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.