The Australian stock market extended its early gains at noon, shrugging off weak leads from Wall Street on disappointing consumer spending news.
At 1205 AEST, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 0.69% to 5,170.6 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index added 0.7% to 5,161.4 points.
In economic news, the Australian Bureau of Statistics released building approvals data for July, which beat analysts' expectations with a jump of more than 10%.
The TD Securities-Melbourne Institute inflation gauge for August showed rate of inflation slowed to a crawl in the month.
The Australian Industry Group performance of manufacturing (PMI) index was released, showing a slight lift in August.
Elsewhere, the RP Data-Rismark Home Value Index for August showed capital city home prices had increased five% in the past year.
In Australia, the market on Friday ended higher as investor caution prompted by possible military action against Syria eased.
The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index gained 42.6 points, or 0.84%, to 5,135 points.
The broader All Ordinaries index added 42.2 points, or 0.83%, to 5,125.3.
