Materials stocks advanced nearly 2% at midday Friday.
BHP Group (ASX:BHP) gained almost 2% in recent trade even after reports that the miner is facing another strike from members of three unions in Western Australia’s Pilbara region who have decided to impose a 24-hour ship-loading ban on Aug. 8 and will also down tools on Aug. 9.
On the flip side, the healthcare sector struggled, shedding more than 2%.
CSL (ASX:CSL) shares fell past 4% in recent trade.