Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Friday, March 27:
BBG – BILLABONG INTERNATIONAL – down 0.5 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at 60 cents
Surfwear group Billabong International has vowed to fight a shareholder class action launched over a 2011 earnings downgrade that led to massive share price falls.
BKW – BRICKWORKS – up 25 cents, or 1.8 per cent, at $13.81
More land and bricklayers are urgently needed to meet the surging housing demand, says building products group Brickworks.
BOQ – BANK OF QUEENSLAND – down 47 cents, or 3.3 per cent, at $13.89
Bank of Queensland is forecasting economic uncertainty after posting a record half year cash profit.
FMG – FORTESCUE METALS GROUP – up eight cents, or 3.9 per cent, at $2.12
RIO – RIO TINTO – down 33 cents, or 0.6 per cent, at $56.50
Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh has described as absolute nonsense and harebrained Fortescue Metals chairman Andrew Forrest’s call for a cap on iron ore production to prop up plunging prices, while Mr Forrest has stood by his controversial statement.
FXJ – FAIRFAX MEDIA – down three cents, or 3.1 per cent, at 94 cents
Former Network Ten boss Nick Falloon will take over from Fairfax chairman Roger Corbett in August.
LOV – LOVISA – up 10 cents, or 4.2 per cent, at $2.50
Jewellery retailer Lovisa is primed for a $2.25 million acquisition of 21 fashion accessory stores across South Africa.
MYR – MYER – down 6.5 cents, or 4.6 per cent, at $1.35
A renowned class action instigator has taken aim at Myer, claiming the retailer should never have told investors its profit would grow.
PPX – PAPERLINX – in a trading halt at 1.7 cents
Packaging group Paperlinx is in talks with its European financiers amid fears it may have breached the terms of a loan.
SOL – SOUL PATTINSON – up 16 cents, or 1.1 per cent, at $14.80
Investment group Washington H Soul Pattinson’s first half profit has declined due to impairments but it’s enjoyed earnings rises from its major investments.
VET – VOCATION – up 4.6 cents, or 58.2 per cent, at 12.5 cents
Vocation’s interim chief financial officer Stewart Cummins will take the helm of the embattled education provider as it works to recover from a scandal over its services.