The utilities sector rose 3.1% at midday Monday. Investors preferred defensive stocks after US stocks fell last week following reports saying that consumers and businesses were concerned about the US economy.

APA Group (ASX:APA) said its earnings per security in the fiscal first half fell to AU$0.0260, from AU$0.06 per share a year earlier. Revenue for the six months ended Dec. 31, 2024, was AU$1.62 billion, up from AU$1.52 billion in the same period a year earlier. It also reaffirmed its full fiscal year guidance.

On the flip side, the information technology sector plunged 7.4%, after heavyweight WiseTech Global (ASX:WTC) plummeted 22% in recent trade.

WiseTech said its independent chairman Richard Dammery and three other non-executive directors resigned following "intractable differences and differing views" around the ongoing role of founding Chief Executive Richard White.