Energy stocks advanced past 3% at midday Thursday, with Brent crude futures closing up 1.8%, the highest levels since April 3.

Santos (ASX:STO) produced 21.9 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe) in the first quarter ended March 31, a 2% rise from 21.5 mmboe in the prior three-month period. It maintained its production volume guidance in the range of 90 mmboe to 97 mmboe for the current year but said its unit production cost in the range of AU$7 per barrel of oil equivalent to AU$7.50 boe will be elevated in the first half and lower in the second half of the year.

On the flip side, the communication services sector fell 0.4% as banks faced tougher regulatory challenges. Stock Indices fell on Wall Street after Nvidia flagged a hit of a billion dollars from US restrictions on exports to China.

Rent.com.au (ASX:RNT) raised around AU$1.7 million through a non-renounceable entitlement issue to eligible shareholders. It will use the proceeds to establish the capability to assess customers for and to fund loans under the RentBond brand.