Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Thursday:
API – Australian Pharmeceutical Industries – up 10 cents, or 17.1 per cent, to 68.5 cents
The owner of the Priceline pharmacies brand API has lifted its full year underlying profit guidance following stronger than expected sales growth.
BEN – BENDIGO AND ADELAIDE BANK – up 20 cents, or 1.6 per cent, to $12.81
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank has announced a $200m capital raising to support its balance sheet growth and to ensure it continues to have strong regulatory capital levels.
BHP – BHP BILLITON – down 70 cents, or 1.9 per cent, at $36.20
FMG – FORTESCUE METALS GROUP – down 10 cents, or 2.4 per cent, at $4.00
RIO – RIO TINTO – down 69 cents, or 1.1 per cent, at $62.34
The iron ore price has fallen again to match a two-year low of just below $US87 a tonne, while BHP began trading ex-dividend.
GPT – GPT GROUP – up four cents, or one per cent, at $4.09
GPT Group and GPT Wholesale Office Fund has bought the CBW property in Melbourne, which includes two office towers and retail space, for more than $608 million.
NBL – NONI B – up three cents, 6.7 per cent, at 48 cents
Noni B’s soon-to-be owners hope to win back the fashion retailer’s traditional customer base after a failed bid at luring in younger shoppers.
WES – WESFARMERS – up seven cents, or 0.2 per cent, at $43.80
Coles will cut more than 400 jobs from its Melbourne head office in a cost-cutting exercise.