Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Thursday:

AST – AUSNET SERVICES – down 1.5 cents, or one per cent, at $1.44

Energy infrastructure company AusNet Services releases its full year earnings on Thursday.

BHP – BHP BILLITON – down three cents, or 0.09 per cent, at $32.50

BHP Billiton will undertake a string of cost cutting measures aimed at improving efficiency and cash returns in the face of weak commodity prices.

FMG – FORTESCUE MINING GROUP – down six cents, or 2.33 per cent, at $2.51

Fortescue Metals is cutting up to 100 jobs a day, founder Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has confirmed.

GNC – GRAINCORP – up six cents, or 0.6 per cent, at $10.11

Graincorp first half year results are due out.

MYR – MYER – up 14.5 cents, or 10.28 per cent, at $1.555

Department store Myer has posted at 2.4 per cent rise in third quarter sales to $661.8 million for the 13 weeks to April 25, compared to a year ago.

SGT – SINGAPORE COMMUNICATIONS – down one cent at $4.10

The nation’s second largest telco Optus releases its fourth quarter financial results.

SYD – SYDNEY AIRPORT – up three cents, or 0.57 per cent, at $5.28

Sydney Airport holds its annual general meeting on Thursday.

WES – WESFARMERS – up 65 cents, or 1.49 per cent, at $44.15

TLS – TELSTRA CORP – up four cents, or 0.65 per cent, at $6.15

DSH – DICK SMITH HOLDINGS – up seven cents, or 3.27 per cent, at $2.21

JBH – JB HI FI – up 43 cents, or 2.1 per cent, at 20.90

Retailers and digital services providers are set to benefit from a federal budget announcement to allow small businesses to claim a tax deduction for the full value of assets worth up to $20,000 in a single year, rather than over five years as had been the case.

WFD – WESTFIELD CORPORATION – down 17 cents, or 1.8 per cent, at $9.20

Westfield Corporation holds its annual general meeting in Sydney on Thursday.