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Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today

The Motley Fool·08/17/2026 06:58:14
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The S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) ended last week on a sour note, and started the week off no sweeter this Monday.

It seems the weekend wasn't enough to bring some optimism to investors' minds, with the ASX 200 opening sharply lower this morning and staying in red territory all day. By the time trading wrapped up, the index had lost 0.46% and finished at 9,073.2 points.

This cold-water start to the week's trading for the Australian markets comes after a similarly gloomy end to the American trading week on Friday night (our time).

The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index (DJX: .DJI) wasn't getting any Friday cheer, dropping 0.2%.

The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite Index (NASDAQ: .IXIC) fared slightly worse, falling 0.28%.

But let's return to this week and our local markets now and dig a little deeper into how today's pessimism spilled over into the different ASX sectors today.

Winners and losers

Despite the market's drop, we had a handful of sectors that managed to come out ahead.

But first, it was consumer discretionary stocks that bore the brunt of the selling. The S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Discretionary Index (ASX: XDJ) was smashed this session, plunging a flat 3%.

Financial shares were hit hard too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Financials Index (ASX: XFJ) cratering 1.76%.

We could say something similar for real estate investment trusts (REITs). The S&P/ASX 200 A-REIT Index (ASX: XPJ) saw its value tank by 1.04% this Monday.

Healthcare stocks weren't much better, illustrated by the S&P/ASX 200 Healthcare Index (ASX: XHJ)'s 0.85% dive.

Utilities shares weren't exempt from investors' bad mood. The S&P/ASX 200 Utilities Index (ASX: XUJ) saw its total cut by 0.65%.

Nor were tech stocks, with the S&P/ASX 200 Information Technology Index (ASX: XIJ) sinking 0.54%.

Industrial shares were also dragged lower. The S&P/ASX 200 Industrials Index (ASX: XNJ) ended the day 0.31% behind where it started.

Our last losers this Monday were consumer staples stocks, as you can see from the S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples Index (ASX: XSJ)'s 0.24% dip.

Turning to the more exciting sectors now, it was gold shares that were at the front of the pack. The All Ordinaries Gold Index (ASX: XGD) enjoyed a 3.77% surge today.

Broader mining stocks ran hot too, with the S&P/ASX 200 Materials Index (ASX: XMJ) shooting 1.76% higher.

Energy shares continued the commodities theme for the winners. The S&P/ASX 200 Energy Index (ASX: XEJ) was lifted 0.93% by investors this Monday.

Finally, communications stocks got out unscathed, evident by the S&P/ASX 200 Communication Services Index (ASX: XTJ)'s 0.2% bump.

Top 10 ASX 200 shares countdown

Taking out the top spot this Monday was biotech company Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB). Mesoblast shares exploded 10.86% higher today to close at $2.45 each.

This came after the company released some big news regarding one of its drug trials.

Here's the rest of today's best:

ASX-listed company Share price Price change
Mesoblast Ltd (ASX: MSB) $2.45 10.86%
IperionX Ltd (ASX: IPX) $3.54 7.60%
Predictive Discovery Ltd (ASX: PDI) $0.85 6.25%
Catalyst Metals Ltd (ASX: CYL) $6.55 5.99%
Electro Optic Systems Holdings Ltd (ASX: EOS) $8.95 5.67%
Steadfast Group Ltd (ASX: SDF) $5.62 5.64%
Evolution Mining Ltd (ASX: EVN) $13.89 5.15%
Ora Banda Mining Ltd (ASX: OBM) $1.38 4.96%
Kingsgate Consolidated Ltd (ASX: KCN) $5.00 4.60%
PLS Group Ltd (ASX: PLS) $5.09 4.52%

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.

The post Here are the top 10 ASX 200 shares today appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended Electro Optic Systems and Steadfast Group. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended Steadfast Group. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

The Motley Fool's purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool's free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson. 2026