Australian shares have edged 0.1 per cent higher at noon as investors remain cautious on whether Greece can secure a debt deal. The Utilities sector is leading the gains at midday.
The S&P/ASX 200 index is 6 points up at 4,419. On the futures market the SPI is 12 points higher.
Company news
Lend Lease Group
(ASX:LLC) says Baulderstone, a division of its construction and infrastructure business, has secured a new contract valued at about $140 million by Cbus Property. The work involves the design and construction of Melbourne’s new City West Police complex. Lend Lease’s chief says the contract strengthens its construction portfolio in Victoria. The project is scheduled for completion in March 2015. Shares in Lend Lease are trading up 0.12 per cent at $8.53.
Technology One Limited
(ASX:TNE) has boosted its annual net profit by 16 per cent and about 10 per cent above its guidance. The software research and development company says its result was largely aided by strong growth across its seven key vertical markets in Australia and New Zealand. Shares in Technology One is trading steady at $1.39.
Best and worst performers The best performing sector is utilities gaining 53 points to 5,021. Shares in Energy World Corporation Limited
(ASX:EWC) have risen 5.08 per cent and trading at $0.31. Shares in AGL Energy and APA Group are also stronger.
The worst performing sector is health care, falling 72 points to 10,571. Shares in Sigma Pharmaceutical Limited
(ASX:SIP) have fallen 1.87 per cent, trading at $0.66. Shares in CSL Limited and ResMed are also lower.
Gold and the dollar
Gold is trading at $US1,749 an ounce and the Australian dollar is buying $US1.045.
