Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Thursday:
AVM – ANVIL MINING LTD – down eight cents, or 1.1 per cent, at $7.15
Minmetals’ $C1.3 billion ($A1.28 billion) takeover bid for Democratic Republic of Congo-focused copper miner Anvil Mining has been extended as talks continue to gain the backing of state-owned joint venture partner Gecamines.
AVG – AUSTRALIAN VINTAGE LTD – up one cent at 30 cents
Wine producer Australian Vintage says its results for the financial year so far are ahead of the same period last year.
CNU – CHORUS LTD – up 18 cents, or eight per cent, at $2.44
Chorus, the telecommunications network operator spun off from Telecom, increased 4.5 per cent in its NZX debut.
DJS – DAVID JONES LTD – last traded at $2.97
David Jones is due to release first quarter sales results on Thursday.
GNS – GUNNS LTD – last traded at 17 cents
Gunns Ltd is due to hold its AGM on Thursday.
IFL – IOOF HOLDINGS LTD – down 62 cents, or 10.4 per cent, at $5.37.
Shares in wealth manager IOOF Holdings have fallen heavily after the company flagged a drop of up to 16 per cent in underlying profit.
NWH – NRW HOLDINGS LTD – up 31 cents, or 12.6 per cent, at $2.78
Shares in NRW Holdings rose after the resources sector contractor flagged it would double its first half net profit.
PRG – PROGRAMMED MAINTENANCE SERVICES LTD – up 1.5 cents at $2.01
Programmed Maintenance Services has returned to first half profitability and has forecast earnings growth in all of its divisions.
QAN – QANTAS AIRWAYS LTD – down 5.5 cents, or 3.5 per cent, at $1.515
An investigation in threatening letters sent to Qantas boss Alan Joyce at the height of its dispute with unions has been suspended, police say.
REX – REGIONAL EXPRESS HOLDINGS LTD – down 3.5 cents, or 3.4 per cent, at 99 cents
Regional Express Holdings has maintained earnings guidance of a profitable 2011/12.
RIO – RIO TINTO LTD – down $2.20, or 3.4 per cent, at $62.30
Canadian regulators have cleared mining giant Rio Tinto’s $C654 million ($A641.715 million) for junior uranium explorer Hathor Exploration.
SDL – SUNDANCE RESOURCES LTD – steady at 42 cents
A planned rail line linking Sundance Resources’ Mbalam iron ore project in West Africa to port is a step closer.
SGP – STOCKLAND – up four cents, or 1.3 per cent, at $3.14
Property developer Stockland has affirmed its full-year guidance despite soft sales in the first two months of the financial year.
VBA – VIRGIN BLUE HOLDINGS LTD – down 0.5 cents, or 1.35 per cent, at 36.5 cents
Virgin Australia says underlying profit before tax in the first three months of 2011/12 was higher than the prior corresponding period, despite higher fuel costs.
WOW – WOOLWORTHS LTD – last traded at $24.35
Woolworths is due to hold its AGM on Thursday.
