It was a disappointing day for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Thursday, with the index giving up an early lead this morning to close lower.
By the time the markets closed, the ASX 200 had inched down by 0.04% to close at a flat 8,323 points.
This red session for ASX shares follows a mixed night over on the American markets this morning.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) recovered from an early dip to close 0.32% higher.
However, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) wasn't so lucky and sank 0.11%.
But let's return to the local markets now and see what the different ASX sectors were up to amid the broader market's moves.
Winners and losers
Despite the decline of the overall index, quite a few sectors still gained this Thursday. But more on those in a moment.
Leading today's losers were consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) tanked 0.82% by the closing bell.
Its consumer staples counterpart was close behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) plunged 0.68% this session.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) had another rough one as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) falling 0.41%.
Healthcare stocks were shunned as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) dropped 0.32%.
Utilities shares were also left out, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ)'s 0.19% retreat.
Industrial stocks fared a little better. However, the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) still took a 0.04% step backwards.
Mining shares round out our losers, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) slipping 0.03%.
Turning to the winenrs now, yet again it was gold stocks that led the charge higher. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) shot up 1.26% this Thursday.
Financial shares also had a great session, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 0.31% uptick.
ASX communications stocks found themselves on the right side of the ledger too. The S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) jumped up 0.18%.
Tech shares fared decently, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) lifting 0.12%.
As did energy stocks. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) inched 0.09% higher.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's winner was healthcare stock Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG). Sigma shares vaulted a comfortable 4.31% higher to finish at $2.42 each today.
As we covered today, this gain seems to be a continuation of the momentum leading up to Sigma's merger with pharmacy chain Chemist Warehouse.
Here are the rest of today's best:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Sigma Healthcare Ltd (ASX: SIG) | $2.42 | 4.31% |
| Amcor plc (ASX: AMC) | $16.02 | 3.29% |
| Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX: GOR) | $1.90 | 3.27% |
| Pinnacle Investment Management Group Ltd (ASX: PNI) | $22.12 | 3.17% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $5.29 | 3.00% |
| Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) | $17.56 | 2.87% |
| Guzman y Gomez Ltd (ASX: GYG) | $37.79 | 2.83% |
| Star Entertainment Group Ltd (ASX: SGR) | $0.21 | 2.44% |
| Seek Ltd (ASX: SEK) | $27.11 | 2.15% |
| ALS Ltd (ASX: ALQ) | $15.66 | 2.15% |
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.