Information technology stocks continued to advance at midday Tuesday, rising a little over 1%, tracking advances in futures contracts for the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq index.

Atturra (ASX:ATA) signed a share purchase agreement to acquire DalRae Solutions through its unit, Atturra PHC, for an upfront consideration AU$4.8 million in cash as well as a post-completion consideration of up to AU$15.2 million in cash, subject to DalRae achieving certain performance targets.

On the other hand, the materials sector slipped 0.6%, after the price of iron ore fell.

Kingsrose Mining (ASX:KRM) said BHP Group (ASX:BHP) decided to proceed with its Finnmark exploration alliance with Kingsrose in Norway into the second year with increased exploration funding of $3.5 million. BHP decided to cease funding of and terminate the Central Finland exploration alliance to focus on the Finnmark alliance.