Stocks in the materials sector rose 1.6% at midday Wednesday, as spot gold prices rose 0.5%.
West African Resources' (ASX:WAF) total production for 2024 was 206,622 ounces, at the upper end of its guidance of 190,000 to 210,000 ounces. The company's shares rose past 3%.
Meanwhile, information technology stocks erased some gains, falling 0.8%, following major US tech stocks in a sell-off.
Archer Materials (ASX:AXE) improved the electron spin lifetime of its manufacturable quantum carbon film to 800 nanoseconds as well as the carbon film's sample-to-sample repeatability and uniformity. The company's shares surged almost 8%.