Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at noon on Monday:

API – AUSTRALIAN PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES – in trading halt, last traded at 56.5 cents

The shares of drugs wholesaler and pharmacies operator Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) have been placed in a trading halt ahead of an announcement by the company on the carrying value of its assets.

BRL – BATHURST RESOURCES – in trading halt, last traded at 7.00 cents

Bathurst Resources, which has cut jobs and delayed the start to its controversial Escarpment open-cut coal mine on New Zealand’s Denniston Plateau, may raise up to $NZ6.87 million ($A6.41 million) in a discounted share placement.

WDC – WESTFIELD GROUP – down 9.00 cents, or 0.85 per cent, at $10.48

WRT – WESTFIELD RETAIL TRUST – down 2.00 cents, or 0.65 per cent, at $3.04

Shopping centre group Westfield’s split of its Australian and New Zealand assets from its international operations has been backed by financial services firm KPMG.