Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Thursday:
APN – APN NEWS & MEDIA LTD – down three cents, or 3.33 per cent, at 87 cents
APN News & Media has re-affirmed earnings guidance for the second half of calendar 2011 amid what it says are some encouraging signs in the advertising market.
CSL – CSL LTD – last traded at $28.81
Australia’s biggest pharmaceutical company has been accused of a series of manufacturing flaws by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
FGL – FOSTER’S GROUP – up two cents at $5.30
The competition watchdog has cleared beverage giant SABMiller to buy local brewer Foster’s for $10.7 billion, saying the takeover won’t lessen competition for the supply of beer.
FXJ – FAIRFAX MEDIA LTD – up three cents, or 3.68 per cent, at 84.5 cents
NWS – NEWS CORPORATION – down two cents at $16.59
Complaints against the press and online news media could be taken to a new tribunal with tough legal powers, under a proposal flagged by the government’s media inquiry.
GNS – GUNNS LTD – steady at 18 cents
Gunns shares entered a trading halt mid-session ahead of a decision by Tasmania’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Director on the commencement of the Bell Bay pulp mill.
NAB – NATIONAL AUSTRALIAN BANK LTD – last traded at $22.95
National Australia Bank (NAB) says it’s focused on growth in its United Kingdom business, after Moody’s downgraded the long-term deposit and senior debt rating of NAB’s Clydesdale Bank to A2 from A1.
NUF – NUFARM LTD – up nine cents, or 2.13 per cent, at $4.32
Agricultural chemicals supplier Nufarm says it is well placed to grow its operating profit in fiscal 2012 as it continues to diversify its product portfolio away from the weedkiller glyphosate.
ORI – ORICA LTD – up 82 cents, or 3.66 per cent, at $23.20
A series of “deeply concerning” incidents involving chemical company Orica could end up in court, the NSW environmental regulator says.
QAN – QANTAS AIRWAYS LTD – up one cent at $1.45
The Transport Workers Union says it is expecting Qantas to lock workers out ahead of planned strike action on Friday, potentially causing major delays.
SDM – SEDGMAN LTD – up six cents, or 3.33 per cent, at $1.86
MCC – MACARTHUR COAL LTD – up five cents, or 0.3 per cent, at $15.95
LEI – LEIGHTON HOLDINGS LTD – up 60 cents, or 3.22 per cent, at $19.22
Mining services company Sedgman and Leighton Holdings subsidiary Thiess have been awarded an $85 million contract to build a coal handling plant at a mine managed by Macarthur Coal.
WES – WESFARMERS LTD – up 33 cents, or 1.05 per cent, at $31.88
Wesfarmers is to sell its Premier Coal business to Chinese-owned Yancoal Australia for $296.8 million.
