The utilities stocks advanced almost 1% at midday Friday.

De.mem (ASX:DEM), which jumped over 9% in recent trade, signed a binding agreement to acquire Western Australia-based Core Chemicals for a total consideration of around AU$3 million. Kit Heng Chia, the operations manager and co-vendor of Core Chemicals, will retain his role post-transaction, joining the De.mem management team.

Meanwhile, the energy sector fell almost 2%, amid concerns over the ongoing trade tensions between the US and China, as well as stress in credit markets.

NexGen Energy (ASX:NXG), whose shares fell over 5%, closed its AU$1 billion share offering, consisting of the sale of 33.1 million of the company's North American shares at CA$12.08 per share, and 45.8 million of the company's Chess Depository Interests (CDI) at AU$13.1 per CDI. The proceeds will be used to advance the company's Rook project in Canada and for general corporate purposes.