THE share market was marginally in the black at noon, driven by gains among financial and mining stocks, after shrugging off a negative US lead.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 12.9 points, or 0.28 per cent, at 4607 points at 12.09pm (AEDT), while the broader All Ordinaries index had added 8.4 points, or 0.18 per cent, at 4,623.3 points.
On the Sydney Futures Exchange, the March share price index futures contract was 18 points higher at 4593 points on volume of 16,735 contracts.
CommSec market analyst Steve Daghlian said the domestic market was holding ground despite worse than expected US unemployment data dragging Wall Street lower overnight.
However, the local bourse was down about half a per cent from where it began the week, Mr Daghlian said.
"The financial sector is up about half a per cent and the big miners, namely BHP and Rio, are up about one per cent," he said.
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"They have fallen quite a bit this week, though, along with falling commodity prices."
Mining giant BHP Billiton had gained 29 cents to $40.74 at 12.11pm (AEDT), while rival Rio Tinto had put on 53 cents to $69.93.
ANZ reported a 16 per cent lift in underlying profit after tax for the four months to January, to $1.6 billion, on higher earnings, wider margins and lower bad debts.
Its shares were up 56 cents, or 2.52 per cent, at $22.81.
Commonwealth Bank rose five cents to $53.23, Westpac was steady at $25.69 and National Australia Bank was up 56 cents at $25.25 at 1213 AEDT.
Mr Daghlian said Harvey Norman was a highlight in the retail sector after lifting its first half profit by 59.9 per cent, increasing its interim dividend and saying it is optimistic about the rest of the financial year.
Shares in Harvey Norman were up eight cents, or 2.12 per cent, at $3.85.
Woolworths was 84 cents stronger, by 3.3 per cent, at $26.29 after announcing a $400 million on-market share buyback and releasing a first half profit in line with expectations.
Coles owner Wesfarmers had shed 10 cents to $31.06.
List of problem banks growsDollar higher at noon
