Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange early on Thursday:

AQP – AQUARIUS PLATINUM LTD – down 7.5 cents at $1.285

A fire at a platinum mine in Zimbabwe part owned by Australia’s Aquarius Platinum could affect the company’s production.

AVG – AUSTRALIAN VINTAGE LIMITED – steady at 35 cents

Winemaker Australian Vintage Ltd (AVL) has won accolades at two international wine competitions.

BXB – BRAMBLES LTD – down 19 cents at $6.84

Brambles says the sale of its data management business continues to take longer than expected.

CDU – CUDECO LTD – down two cents at $3.31

Copper miner CuDeco has received development approval for a new ship loading and storage facility in Townsville.

FXJ – FAIRFAX MEDIA LTD – steady at 65 cents

Fairfax Media has appointed a professional corporate adviser to its board as Robert Savage retires to spend more time with his family.

ILU – ILUKA RESOURCES LTD – down 46 cents at $13.25

Minerals sand miner Iluka expects its earnings to rise in calendar 2012, despite weaker demand for some of its products.

MYR – MYER HOLDINGS LTD – down 17 cents at $2.00

Myer’s third quarter sales have fallen and the department store chain has downgraded its forecast for full year net profit.

QAN – QANTAS AIRWAYS LTD – down 0.5 cents at $1.465

Qantas and Jetstar will cut the number of flights arriving at Darwin and Uluru because of poor patronage due to a slump in overseas visitors.

RCT – REEF CASINO TRUST – down 15 cents at $2.11

The owner of Reef Casino complex in Cairns says weak local and global economic conditions have made 2012 a challenging year.