Utilities stocks advanced 0.8% at midday Friday. Energy markets fluctuated on the back of geopolitical tensions, according to a Friday note from ANZ Research.
Contact Energy (ASX:CEN) named its head of corporate finance Matt Forbes as its acting chief financial officer, effective Jan. 1, following the promotion of CFO Dorian Devers.
On the other hand, the financial sector struggled, shedding more than 0.4%, after a Wall Street rally reversed overnight.
Insignia Financial (ASX:IFL) said CC Capital Partners raised its bid for the company to AU$4.60 cash per share, a 7% premium to a prior offer of AU$4.30.