Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Friday, Aug 3
ALS – ALESCO CORPORATION LTD – up one cent at $2.05
DLX – DULUXGROUP LTD – up 16 cents at $3.22
Paintmaker DuluxGroup wants takeover target Alesco Corporation stopped from commenting on the DuluxGroup bid unless it (Alesco) has approval from the Takeovers Panel.
APA – APA GROUP – up three cents at $4.90
HDF – HASTINGS DIVERSIFIED UTILITIES FUND – up one cent at $2.55
Pipeline operator APA Group is considering raising $350 million as it presses ahead with its $1.34 billion takeover bid for Hastings Diversified Utilities Fund (HDF).
AQP – AQUARIUS PLATINUM LTD – down 7.5 cents at 49.5 cents
Three people have died in a violent invasion of a South African mine operated by Australian-listed Aquarius Platinum.
BHP BILLITON LTD – up 32 cents at $32.02
Mining giant BHP Billiton has dismissed suggestions it has already decided to delay its $19 billion Port Hedland harbour expansion for at least two years.
CAB – CABCHARGE AUSTRALIA LTD – up seven cents at $5.65
Private bus operator ComfortDel Gro Cabcharge (CDC) is expanding its fleet with the $53 million acquisition of two bus services in southern NSW.
CDC, which is a joint venture between transport operator Cabcharge and Singapore’s ComfortDel Gro Corporation, is buying the Deane’s Transport Line and Transborder Express from Queanbeyan-based Deane’s Transit Group.
CMJ – CONSOLIDATED MEDIA HOLDINGS LTD – up one cent at $3.44
NWS – NEWS CORPORATION – up five cents at $22.03
NWSLV – NEWS CORPORATION NON VOTING SHARES – up 10 cents at $21.97
News Limited moved a step closer to gaining what analysts say will be high-earning pay TV assets when it won regulatory approval for its acquisition of Consolidated Media.
CWN – CROWN LTD – down eight cents at $8.39
LLC – LEND LEASE GROUP – up nine cents at $8.20
Billionaire casino mogul James Packer says he will build the world’s best hotel in Sydney if he gets approval to include a gambling facility for high rollers in the development.
DXS – DEXUS PROPERTY GROUP – up 2.5 cents at 99 cents
Dexus Property Group has introduced a salary freeze for its senior executives to address shareholder concerns over its pay structure.
FMG – FORTESCUE METALS GROUP LTD – up 22 cents at $4.37
Fortescue Metals Group’s High Court challenge against the federal government’s mining tax has been adjourned for a month.
LEI – LEIGHTON HOLDINGS LTD – down 18 cents at $16.85
Leighton Holdings’ Middle East operation has won a contract to build Qatar’s first rail system as the country prepares for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
SDL – SUNDANCE RESOURCES LTD – in trading halt; last traded at 33.5 cents
Sundance Resources looks set to have to agree to a reduced takeover price from Chinese suitor Hanlong Mining, with the pair locked in negotiations.
TTS – TATTS GROUP LTD – steady at $2.84
Tatts Group expects its net profit for the 2012 financial year at between $315 million and $320 million, compared with $275.4 million for the previous corresponding period.
VMS – VENTURE MINERALS LTD – up six cents at 34 cents
The stakes have been raised on Tasmania’s new environmental battleground, the Tarkine, after a major tin discovery by Venture Minerals.
