Energy stocks advanced nearly 2% at midday Wednesday, after oil hit a two-month high in the wake of unrest in Iran, with Brent futures rising 2.5% on Tuesday.

Deep Yellow (ASX:DYL) confirmed that incoming Chief Executive Greg Field will start on Feb. 2. The company had expected Field to start no later than May 1 earlier. Acting CEO Craig Barnes will return to his role of chief financial officer once Field starts.

On the flip side, the financial sector fell nearly 2%, as banks saw a selloff.

Humm Group (ASX:HUM) urged its shareholders to vote against all resolutions proposed at a general meeting convened by Jeremy Michael Kersten Raper and Sandhurst Trustees, as custodian for Collins St Value Fund, seeking to remove three current directors of Humm and appoint two new directors.

The firm said that replacing the current board would jeopardize its strategy and added that the "ill-conceived and simplistic" plan of the meeting convenors threatens the firm's capital strength, lender relationships, and growth prospects.