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

BHP – BHP BILLITON – up 17 cents, or 0.45 per cent, at $37.54

CZI – CASSINI RESOURCES – up 19.5 cents, or 433.33 per cent, at 24 cents

Mining giant BHP Billiton has agreed to sell its West Musgrave nickel project in Western Australia to Cassini Resources.

CBA – COMMONWEALTH BANK OF AUSTRALIA – down 14 cents, or 0.18 per cent, at $76.81

Any improvement in economic activity in 2014 will be gradual, Commonwealth Bank says.

NAB – NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK – down 28 cents, or 0.79 per cent, at $35.28

National Australia Bank boss Cameron Clyne will retire in August.