Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Thursday, July 24:
AZJ – AURIZON – up three cents, or 0.6 per cent, at $5.05
Rail freight company Aurizon hauled more coal in the last 12 months 2014 despite weaker prices for the commodity.
AZZ – ANTARES ENERGY – down two cents, or 3.1 per cent, at 62.5 cents
Tensions between Antares Energy and one of its major shareholders are unlikely to ease any time soon, with US-based fund Lone Star promising to maintain pressure on the company, despite losing a vote to sack the board.
BHP – BHP BILLITON – up 47 cents, or 1.2 per cent, at $38.98
Resources giant BHP Billiton expects to achieve a 15th straight year of record iron ore production after smashing expectations with a 20 per cent boost to annual output in 2013/14.
QAN – QANTAS AIRWAYS – up two cents, or 1.6 per cent, at $1.27
Qantas is reportedly considering splitting its domestic and international arms.
SGM – SIMS METALS MANAGEMENT – up 59 cents, or 5.75 per cent, at $10.85
Scrap metal and electronics recycler Sims Metal Management hopes to more than quadruple its earnings within five years as it moves to turn around a series of disappointing financial results.
