Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Monday October 31

FXJ – FAIRFAX MEDIA LTD – up 5.5 cents at 96 cents

Fairfax Media says it will hold onto its metropolitan radio assets due to a lack of acceptable takeover offers.

KCN – KINGSGATE CONSOLIDATED LTD – down 19 cents at $7.78

Gold miner Kingsgate Consolidated said production fell 11 per cent in the September quarter as operations were hit by heavy monsoonal rains and a water shortage.

LEI – LEIGHTON HOLDINGS LTD – up five cents at $22.40

Ratings agency Moody’s Investors Service has lowered the credit crating of construction giant Leighton Holdings, reflecting uncertainty surrounding the performance of its desalination project in Victoria.

LLC – LEND LEASE GROUP – up 14 cents at $7.93

Lend Lease has won a $530 million contract to duplicate the Pacific Highway from Tintenbar to Ewingsdale on the NSW far North Coast.

MQG – MACQUARIE GROUP LTD – up 80 cents at $25.15

Macquarie Group has downgraded its 2012 profit forecast after subdued market activity led to reduced income and a 24 per cent fall in first half profit. (MACQUARIE Wrap on file with factbox)

QAN – QANTAS AIRWAYS LTD – down 2.5 cents at $1.545

Qantas planes are set to fly again after Fair Work Australia ordered an end to union strikes and the airline’s grounding of its fleet.

RIO – RIO TINTO LTD – up 52 cents at $70.22

Fortescue Metals Group has been granted leave by Australia’s highest court to appeal against a decision preventing Rio Tinto’s Pilbara rail lines from being opened up to smaller miners.

STO – SANTOS LTD – down 11 cents at $13.20

Santos has agreed to sell its entire working interest in the Evans Shoal gas field in the Bonaparte Basin offshore northern Australia for up to $US350 million ($A327 million).

WHC – WHITEHAVEN COAL LTD – up one cent at $5.96

Whitehaven Coal says first quarter coal production rose by 24 per cent and sales were up by 17 per cent.