As we approach midday and the halfway point for today's shortened session, the ASX200 has pulled back a bit off its earlier highs, currently up 0.47 per cent at 6674.

The easing is thanks in part to some falls in the healthcare, consumer staples and technology sectors, which are all either flat or down modestly. Some of the biggest laggards in those sectors are Netweatlth, Domino's, Collins Foods, Xero and Mesoblast.

The energy sector is seeing today's biggest gains so far, up 1.5 per cent, followed by materials and financials, both up around 0.8 per cent. BHP is still adding the most points to the index, now up 1.3 per cent, followed by a raft of other companies including the big four banks.

A total of 142 companies are trading positive while 55 are negative.

Market darling Brainchip has responded well to the news its finalised two new customer contracts, trading up 30 per cent to 42 cents.

Right now I'm listening to Michael Buble's cover of Santa Baby, not because it's a particularly good song, but because he makes the bewildering choice to switch the lyrics from 'Santa baby' to 'Santa buddy' and changes the song to be about getting Rolexes and Mercedes for Christmas. Odd.