Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Friday:

AHE – AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS – down eight cents, or 2.1 per cent, at $3.71

The car dealership owner reports its half year results on Friday.

NCM – NEWCREST MINING – down 16 cents, or 1.1 per cent, at $13.91

Australia’s largest gold miner reports its half year results on Friday.

RIO – RIO TINTO – up 10 cents, or 0.2 per cent, at $59.90

Rio Tinto will spend $US2 billion buying back its own shares and has increased its dividend despite a year marked by falling earnings.

SGM – SIMS METAL MANAGEMENT – up five cents, or 0.5 per cent, at $10.62

Metal recycler Sims Metal reports its half year results on Friday.

STO – SANTOS – down 12 cents, or 1.6 per cent, at $7.59

Oil and gas explorer Santos faces a $1.6 billion hit to its books after the dramatic slide in global oil prices.

TLS – TELSTRA – down four cents, or 0.6 per cent, at $6.45

Telstra boss David Thodey is talking up the telco’s growth prospects after unveiling a record $2.1 billion half year profit, pointing to a future of ever-growing data usage as the company provides connections for machines as well as people.