Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Thursday, Sept 27:

ALS – ALESCO CORPORATION LTD – in trading halt, last traded at $2.00

DLX – DULUXGROUP LTD – down four cents, or 1.2 per cent, at $3.23

Takeover target Alesco Corporation has opened the door for fresh talks with predator DuluxGroup about its hostile $210 million bid.

CWN – CROWN LTD – up 11 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at $9.10

Casino operator Crown has made no changes to its executive pay policy despite the threat of a board spill in the event of another shareholder backlash.

IPL – INCITEC PIVOT – up two cents, or 0.7 per cent, at $2.89

Fertiliser maker Incitec Pivot has put off plans for a new plant in Newcastle, NSW because of rising construction costs.

SWM – SEVEN WEST MEDIA LTD – down five cents, or 4.17 per cent, at $1.15

NXS – NEXUS ENERGY LTD – steady at 12.5 cents

Seven West chief executive and former Woodside boss Don Voelte has joined the board of oil and gas explorer Nexus Energy.