-- Information technology stocks were leading gainers with a rise of 1.4% in midday trading on Friday.
WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) was up nearly 4%, and Xero (ASX:XRO) was marginally higher.
On the flip side, consumer discretionary stocks were down 0.8% to lead decliners.
Kmart owner Wesfarmers (ASX:WES) was shedding more than 1%, while Aristocrat Leisure (ASX:ALL) fell nearly 1%.