Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Friday, Sept 28:

ALS – ALESCO CORPORATION LTD – in trading halt, last traded at $2.00

DLX – DULUXGROUP LTD – down one cent, or 0.31 per cent, at $3.22

Takeover target Alesco is expected to come out of trading halt and give an update on talks with bidding company Dulux.

EGP – ECHO ENTERTAINMENT GROUP LTD – up four cents, or 1.07 per cent, at $3.79

Echo Entertainment has denied it is in turmoil after chief executive Larry Mullin quit and joined a management exodus, amid concerns about the casino operator’s balance sheet.

FUN – FUNTASTIC LTD – up 0.5 cents, or 3.23 per cent, at 16 cents

Toy distributor Funtastic’s return to profitability was helped by fluffy toys that doubled as pillows and in the year ahead it hopes that female superhero dolls will prove just as popular.

WOW – WOOLWORTHS LTD – down 27 cents, or 0.92 per cent, at $29.01

Dick Smith Electronics’ new private equity owners plan to open new stores and boost the retailer’s online presence after buying the business from Woolworths for $20 million.