Aust stock market remains firmer at noon =2 Sydney

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Aust stock market remains firmer at noon =2 Sydney

Mr Halliday said banking investors were taking profits after several days of strongtrade in the sector.

"I think there is a bit of profit taking around there, they have had three or fourdays of good runs," he said.

"I think people have really started to shut the door in that sector and take a bitof money off the table."

Banks were mixed at 1228 AEST with Commonwealth Bank of Australia giving up 10 cents to $26.23.

Westpac Banking Corp added 11 cents to $15.63, National Australia Bank gained two centsto $32.47 and ANZ rose 15 cents to $18.35.

Financial services giant AMP gained 11 cents or 1.6 per cent to $7.04.

Meanwhile, Mr Halliday said News Corp was helping to prop up the overall market.

News Corp shares jumped more than four per cent in morning trade amid reports a rivalbidder for US satellite television operator DirecTV had pulled out of the race.

News Corp shares were 39 cents stronger at $11.02 while its preferred shares were trading29 cents higher at $9.17 at 1232 AEST.

In other media stocks, Kerry Packer's PBL was steady at $8.26 and Fairfax lost one cent to $3.03.

In the retail sector, Coles Myer was three cents heavier at $6.19 and David Jones liftedtwo cents to $1.10 while Woolworths lost 10 cents to $11.92.

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KEYWORD: AUST STOCKS NOON 2 SYDNEY