Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Thursday:

MYR – MYER – down 2.5 cents, or 1.85 per cent, at $1.33

Department store Myer has hired former Toll Holding’s senior executive Grant Devonport as its new chief financial officer.

ORG – ORIGIN ENERGY – up nine cents, or 0.72 per cent, at $12.65

Origin Energy says it will take $150 million in costs out of the business by June next year to defend its position as the nation’s largest utility company.

QAN – QANTAS AIRWAYS – down one cent, or 0.31 per cent, at $3.23

Qantas will begin direct flights between Sydney and San Francisco six days a week from December under an expanded co-operation agreement with American Airlines.

WBC – WESTPAC – up one cent, or 0.03 per cent, at $31.36

Westpac is splitting its retail and business banking arms and the head of the combined division will leave after more than 20 years with the group.

WOW – WOOLWORTHS – up 32 cents, or 1.18 per cent, at $27.43

Supermarket giant Woolworths admits that some jobs will go as part of a state-wide revamp of its facilities in Victoria.