Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at close on Friday:

BBG – BILLABONG INTERNATIONAL LTD – up 5.5 cents, or 7.91 per cent, at 75.0 cents

Shares in Billabong have leapt by more than seven per cent after the troubled surfwear retailer confirmed takeover talks were continuing.

DJS – DAVID JONES LTD – down 5.0 cents, or 1.63 per cent, at $3.02

It appears Aussie supermodel Miranda Kerr is just too expensive for the department store David Jones.

LEI – LEIGHTON HOLDINGS LTD – down $1.50, or 6.91 per cent, at $20.20

Three board members at construction giant Leighton have stood down because of a breakdown in relations with its major shareholder.

WHC – WHITEHAVEN COAL LTD – down 6.00 cents, or 2.67 per cent, at $2.19

Whitehaven Coal is laying off 40 workers as it cuts costs to deal with lower coal prices and the high Australian dollar.