It was a disappointing session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) this Wednesday as the stock market retreated after notching up a small gain yesterday.
By the time the markets closed up today, the ASX 200 had slumped 0.3%, leaving the index at 7,987.9 points.
This miserly hump day for ASX shares comes after a mixed night over on the American markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) ended up dropping 0.23% for the Americans' Tuesday session.
But the Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared better, rising a confident 0.84%.
Let's return to ASX shares now and examine how the various ASX sectors handled today's tough trading conditions.
Despite today's market drop, quite a few sectors still rose. But more on those soon.
Kicking things off, the weakest corner of the stock market today was financial shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) was pummelled, tanking 1.46%.
Energy stocks also had a shocker, with the S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) plunging 1.41%.
Tech shares were just behind that. The S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) sank 1.4% lower.
Communications stocks did a little better, but the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ) still dropped 0.44%.
ASX healthcare shares also counted themselves unlucky. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) saw 0.3% wiped from its value.
Industrial stocks closed out the losers, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ)'s 0.22% dip.
Turning to the winners now, these were spearheaded by mining shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) blew the lights out with a 1.67% surge.
Gold stocks were also running hot, with the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) soaring 1.06%.
Utilities shares had a decent time as well. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) rose by 0.58%.
Consumer discretionary shares were on the right side of the ledger, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ)'s 0.28% lift.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) were hot on those heels. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) bounced up 0.27%.
Finally, consumer staples stocks eked out a gain, with the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) inching 0.05% higher.
Mining stock Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) came out on top this Wednesday. Mineral Resources shares had a blast today, rocketing 15.95% up to $35.12 a share.
This spike in value came after the company revealed that it had entered into a $1.3 billion sale agreement over an iron ore project.
Here's a look at the rest of today's winners:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Mineral Resources Ltd (ASX: MIN) | $35.12 | 15.95% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $2.67 | 13.14% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.69 | 13.11% |
| Arcadium Lithium plc (ASX: LTM) | $3.70 | 11.45% |
| Tabcorp Holdings Ltd (ASX: TAH) | $0.405 | 5.19% |
| IGO Ltd (ASX: IGO) | $5.13 | 4.91% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $1.035 | 4.02% |
| Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) | $5.53 | 3.95% |
| Capricorn Metals Ltd (ASX: CMM) | $5.60 | 2.94% |
| Centuria Capital Group (ASX: CNI) | $1.805 | 2.85% |
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.
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