The Australian share market has retreated slightly, but remains a third of a per cent higher at noon.
Leads in resource stocks kept the bourse in positive territory.
BHP Billiton was up 22 cents to $19.16 at 1201 AEDT, while Woodside Petroleum was the best performer in the energy sector, up 62 cents at $30.23.
The big four banks were mixed, with ANZ and Commonwealth Bank in the red, but National Australia Bank and Westpac higher.
The worst performer for the second day running was Slater and Gordon, which was down 23 cents, or 24.47 per cent, at 71 cents, despite the law firm seeking to reassure investors that planned UK government changes to road traffic accident compensation claims will not have a major impact on its British operations.
It’s a huge decline from a year-high of $8.07 in April.
KEY FACTS
* At 1201 AEDT, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 16.8 points, or 0.32 per cent, at 5,227.5 points.
* The broader All Ordinaries index was up 16.1 points, or 0.31 per cent, at 5,275.8 points.
* The December share price index futures contract was up nine points at 5,235 points, with 8,851 contracts traded.
* At 1203 AEDT, national turnover was 878 million securities worth $2.42 billion.
