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

AGK – AGL ENERGY – in a trading halt, last traded at $14.68

AGL Energy has lifted its full year profit 52 per cent and announced a $1.2 billion capital raising to help fund its takeover of NSW power provider Macquarie Generation.

APN – APN NEWS & MEDIA – down 2.5 cents, or 3.23 per cent, at 75 cents

APN News & Media has lifted its half year profit 77 per cent to $22.6 million, as its performance is boosted by radio acquisitions.

CCL – COCA-COLA AMATIL – down 34 cents, or 3.5 per cent, at $9.40

Coca Cola Amatil has warned that post-budget weak consumer sentiment is set to mean tough trading conditions for the rest of the year after a 16 per cent slump in first half profit.

FMG – FORTESCUE METALS GROUP – down 1.5 cents, or 0.32 per cent, at $4.605

Fortescue Metals’ full year profit has grown by 56 per cent to $US2.7 billion and the iron ore miner expects to hit its expansion target in the year ahead.

TRS – THE REJECT SHOP – up five cents, or 0.54 per cent, at $9.35

Discount retailer The Reject Shop has had a bumpy start to the fiscal year after its profit fell by a quarter in 2013/14.

SXL – SOUTHERN CROSS MEDIA – up two cents, or 1.75 per cent, at $1.16

Broadcaster Southern Cross Austereo has suffered a $296 million loss and announced the departure of its chairman Max Moore-Wilton.

WES – WESFARMERS – up 99 cents, or 2.25 per cent, at $44.99

Wesfarmers will give an extra $1.1 billion back to shareholders after lifting its full year profit 19 per cent.

WPL – WOODSIDE – up 27.5 cents, at 0.64 per cent, to $43.325

Woodside Petroleum has increased half-year net profit by 27 per cent and says it is confident about gas demand despite a large number of new projects coming online.