Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday:
BSL – BLUESCOPE STEEL – up 12 cents, or 2.4 per cent, at $5.10
BlueScope has confirmed it expects a half year underlying profit similar to the $89.6 million result in the second half of 2013/14.
GNC – GRAINCORP – down nine cents, or 1.05 per cent, at $8.45
GrainCorp fears this year’s harvest from Australia’s eastern states will be below average amid hot, dry conditions in many areas.
LLC – LEND LEASE – up 16 cents,or one per cent, at $15.85
Lend Lease holds its annual general meeting on Friday.
NWS – NEWS CORP – down four cents, or 0.23 per cent, at $17.26
TEN – TEN NETWORK – unchanged at 27 cents
Rupert Murdoch has confirmed his part-owned pay TV company Foxtel is looking at buying a stake in Australia’s struggling Ten Network Holdings.
SGT – SINGAPORE TELECOMMUNICATIONS – up three cents, or 0.9 per cent, at $3.45
SingTel owned Optus has lifted its half year profit to $394 million after improving the performance of its mobile business.
WBC – WESTPAC – down 37 cents, or 1.1 per cent, at $32.96
One of Australia’s most prominent businesswomen, Westpac chief Gail Kelly, is stepping down after seven years at the bank’s helm, to be replaced by the head of its Australian financial services division Brian Hartzer.
