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.