The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) endured a calamitous session this Thursday, no way around it.
Investors started selling when the markets opened this morning, and they didn't stop. By the time the closing bell rang, the ASX 200 had lost 1.7% of its value and closed at 8,168.2 points.
This terrible Thursday session for the Australian share market follows an equally nasty morning on the US markets.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) suffered a terrible 2.58% decline.
But the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared even worse, crashing 3.56% lower.
Let's grit our teeth and return to the ASX now though for a look at the damage amongst the various ASX sectors today.
Winners and losers
Unsurprisingly, it was a sea of red that covered all corners of the market.
Leading today's losers, though, were gold shares. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) had an awful day, cratering 3.32%.
Tech stocks were also singled out for punishment, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) plunging 2.52% lower.
Mining shares seemed to offend investors as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) tanked by 2.02%.
Financial stocks came next, as you'll see from the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ)'s 1.89% crash.
Energy shares fared relatively poorly, too. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) tanked by 1.71%.
As did healthcare stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) descending by 1.67%.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) weren't riding to the rescue. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) suffered a 1.62% swing against it.
Nor were communications shares, evident from the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 1.48% sell-down.
Consumer discretionary stocks were another sore spot. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) lost 1.4% of its value today.
Utilities shares were the next cab off the rank, with the S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) taking a 1.11% dive.
Industrial stocks fared a little better. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) dipped 0.68%.
But the best place to be today was in consumer staples stocks. Not that you'd know it by looking at the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.65% slide today though.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Despite the carnage on the broader market, the index still had some impressive stocks today. At the front of those stocks was Credit Corp Group Limited (ASX: CCP). Credit Corp shares rose by a healthy 7.65% to finish at $16.33 each.
This gain came despite no obvious news or announcements from the company.
Here's how the rest of today's best shares tied up at the dock this afternoon:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Credit Corp Group Limited (ASX: CCP) | $16.33 | 7.65% |
| Insignia Financial Ltd (ASX: IFL) | $3.60 | 4.35% |
| QBE Insurance Group Ltd (ASX: QBE) | $19.32 | 2.11% |
| Champion Iron Ltd (ASX: CIA) | $5.76 | 1.95% |
| NRW Holdings Limited (ASX: NWH) | $3.85 | 1.32% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $7.81 | 1.30% |
| Orora Ltd (ASX: ORA) | $2.38 | 1.28% |
| Insurance Australia Group Ltd (ASX: IAG) | $8.48 | 0.95% |
| Nufarm Ltd (ASX: NUF) | $3.69 | 0.82% |
| Brambles Ltd (ASX: BXB) | $19.39 | 0.78% |
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.