MT Newswires -ShutterstockMaterials stocks advanced nearly 2% at midday Thursday. BHP Group (ASX:BHP) gained nearly 1% in recent trade after its BHP Metals Exploration subsidiary struck an agreement with Kobrea Exploration to jointly advance exploration across Kobrea's Western Malargüe copper projects in Argentina. On the flip side, the real estate sector struggled, shedding nearly 1%. Goodman Group (ASX:GMG) shares fell 2% in recent trade.