It was an unhappy Tuesday session for the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) and the Australian markets today. After a rather wild session, which saw the markets spend time in both positive and negative territory, the ASX 200 ended up closing 0.083% lower. That leaves the index at 8,541.3 points.
This indecisive day for ASX shares comes after a more upbeat night on the American markets overnight.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) rebounded strongly, rising a solid 0.75%.
The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) did even better, bouncing up 1.52%.
But let's return to the ASX now for a closer look at what went on with the various ASX sectors today.
Winners and losers
Starting with the losers, it was utilities shares that were hardest hit this Tuesday. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) ended slumping 0.68% by the close of trade.
Financial stocks were on the nose as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) recording a loss of 0.25%.
Healthcare shares performed almost identically. The S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ) took a 0.24% hit today.
Communications stocks also had a day to forget, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.1% decline.
We have another tie with consumer discretionary shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) also retreated by 0.1% this session.
Industrial stocks had a lacklustre session as well, with the S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) sliding 0.07% lower.
Our final losers were energy shares. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) had slipped by 0.05% at the closing bell.
Turning to the winners now, it was gold shares that shone the brightest, as you can see by the All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD)'s 0.99% surge.
Real estate investment trusts (REITs) ran hot, too. The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) galloped 0.36% higher this Tuesday.
Tech stocks also saw some demand, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) jumping another 0.23%.
Consumer staples shares weren't left out either. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ) banked a 0.13% rise.
Finally, mining stocks managed to eke out a positive day, evidenced by the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ)'s 0.12% uptick.
Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown
Today's top stock was gold miner Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL). Bellevue shares had a great day, shooting 6.99% higher to finish at just under $1 each at 99.5 cents a share.
There wasn't any news out of Bellevue itself, but, as we just covered, most ASX gold shares had a strong day.
Here are the rest of the top stocks on the index for this Tuesday:
| ASX-listed company | Share price | Price change |
| Bellevue Gold Ltd (ASX: BGL) | $0.995 | 6.99% |
| Deep Yellow Ltd (ASX: DYL) | $1.66 | 5.73% |
| Paladin Energy Ltd (ASX: PDN) | $7.60 | 4.40% |
| Liontown Resources Ltd (ASX: LTR) | $0.69 | 3.76% |
| Block Inc (ASX: XYZ) | $99.30 | 3.60% |
| Sandfire Resources Ltd (ASX: SFR) | $11.80 | 3.42% |
| Zip Co Ltd (ASX: ZIP) | $2.73 | 3.41% |
| Emerald Resources N.L. (ASX: EMR) | $4.72 | 3.28% |
| Boss Energy Ltd (ASX: BOE) | $4.47 | 3.23% |
| Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX: PLS) | $1.35 | 3.05% |
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.