Energy stocks advanced 1.2% at midday Wednesday, driven higher by earnings from sector heavyweight Woodside Energy (ASX:WDS).

Woodside reported Tuesday that its earnings per diluted share in 2024 rose to $1.869 from $0.869 per diluted share a year earlier. Operating revenue for the year ended Dec. 31, 2024, was $13.18 billion, down from $14 billion in the same period a year earlier.

The consumer staples sector shed 1.1%. Australia's monthly consumer price index indicator rose 2.5% in the 12 months to January, unchanged from the pace of increase in December 2024, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed.

Woolworths Group (ASX:WOW) reported Wednesday attributable earnings per diluted share in the fiscal first half of AU$0.602, compared with a loss of AU$0.641 per diluted share a year earlier. The board declared an interim dividend of AU$0.39 per share, down from AU$0.47 a year earlier, payable on April 23 to shareholders on record as of March 6.