Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Thursday, April 9:

AGO – ATLAS IRON – suspended from trade at 12 cents

Ratings agency Standard and Poor’s has downgraded Atlas Iron’s corporate credit and secured debt ratings to CCC from B-.

ANZ – ANZ BANKING GROUP – down 11 cents, or 0.3 per cent, at $36.79

ANZ has successfully appealed a landmark court ruling that found its $35 late credit card payment fees were illegal, though the the case looks set to head to the High Court.

BHP – BHP BILLITON – up 29 cents, or 0.95 per cent, at $30.74

FMG – FORTESCUE METALS GROUP – up 14.5 cents, or 8.1 per cent, at $1.94

RIO – RIO TINTO – up 85 cents, or 1.5 per cent, at $57.00

The price of iron ore snapped a seven day losing streak, with the price of Australia’s top export clawing back above $US47 a tonne.

EHL – EMECO – up half a cent, or 4.55 per cent, at 11.5 cents

Earthmoving equipment supplier Emeco is considering a merger offer from its rival, Orionstone.

EVN – EVOLUTION MINING – up one cent, or 1.1 per cent, at 91.5 cents

Gold miner Evolution Mining says it will make a voluntary debt repayment of $35 million as a falling Australian dollar helps it generate cash.

LEI – LEIGHTON HOLDINGS – up 20 cents, or 0.95 per cent, at $21.35

The sale of construction giant John Holland to Chinese interests has been approved by the federal government.

MYR – MYER – up 11.5 cents, or 8.8 per cent, at $1.425

Solomon Lew and private equity groups are rumoured to be considering making a takeover move on troubled department store Myer.

PPX – PAPERLINX – suspended from trade at 1.7 cents

Paper supplier PaperlinX has asked that the suspension of its shares from trading be extended.