THE share market was firmly in the green at noon after Wall Street helped push up the local financial and resources sectors.
At the 12:00 (AEDT), the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index had gained 48.3 points, or 1.04 per cent, to 4683.4, while the broader All Ordinaries added 44.9 points, or 0.96 per cent, to 4704.4.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the March share price index futures contract was 49 points higher at 4670 on a volume of 8058 contracts.
"We are still on very thin volumes but the positive lead from offshore and the strong commodity prices have pushed the market into the green,'' Macquarie Private Wealth adviser Helen Spencer said.
"It's very positive right across the board with the resources and the financials performing exceptionally well today."
BHP Billiton had gained 50 cents, or 1.22 per cent, to $41.45 and Rio Tinto was up $1.39, or 1.97 per cent, at $71.96.
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The banks also posted gains.
NAB was up 25 cents at $26.25, Westpac gained 49 cents, or 2.1 per cent, to $23.84, Commonwealth Bank rose 22 cents to $52.37, and ANZ was 46 cents or 2.2 per cent higher at $21.41.
In news, agricultural chemicals supplier Nufarm says it has received a revised but lower offer from China's Sinochem Corporation in relation to Sinochem's proposed takeover of Nufarm.
Nufarm was in a trading halt, last trading at $10.56.
Iron ore miners Fortescue Metals Group and Rio Tinto say tropical cyclone Laurence appears to have missed their major operation in the Pilbara, but BHP Billiton said Laurence may cause production interruptions at its Pilbara operations.
Fortescue shares added three cents to $4.36.
Shares in colliers Gloucester Coal Ltd and Macarthur Coal have been placed in trading halts pending the announcement of a potential takeover. Gloucester last traded at $6.55, Macarthur at $9.71.
Graincorp has given initial earnings guidance for fiscal 2010 and says it will receive between seven and 8.5 million tonnes of grain from its nationwide network over the year.
Graincorp fell 43 cents, or 7.4 per cent, to $5.38.
Airport owner MAp Group says it received $22 million less in cash for the sale of its 35.5 per cent stake in Bristol Airport due to foreign exchange movements.
MAp added two cents to $2.93.
Oil and gas producer Woodside Petroleum was up 34 cents at $47.49 while Oil Search lost four cents to $5.83 and Santos dropped eight cents to $13.73.
On Wall Street overnight, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 85.25 points, or 0.83 per cent, to 10,414.14.
The broader S&P 500 index added 11.58 points, or 1.05 per cent, to 1114.05, and the technology-heavy Nasdaq composite index rose by 25.97 points, or 1.17 per cent, to 2237.66.
3Q income up for Dollar GeneralShares jump 1pc in early trade
