Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Thursday:

A2M – a2 MILK – down two cents, or 2.92 per cent, at 66.5 cents.

US dairy giant Dean Foods has been unmasked as the mystery predator interested in making a tilt at New Zealand’s a2 Milk Company.

AEF – AUSTRALIAN ETHICAL INVESTMENTS – down $5.99, or 9.22 per cent, at $59.00

Shares in Australian Ethical Investment have plunged after the financial services company warned it will make a smaller profit because of expenses associated with the issue of shares under the firm’s previous employee incentive schemes.

PRG – PROGRAMMED MAINTENANCE SERVICES – up two cents, or 0.71 per cent, at $2.82

SKE – SKILLED GROUP – up 11 cents, or 7.12 per cent, at $1.66

Labour hire business Skilled Group has backed a $652 million takeover offer from Programmed Maintenance Services.

SWM – SEVEN WEST MEDIA – down 6.5 cents, or 5.75 per cent, at $1.07

Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett has joined the board Seven West Media, other new inclusion on the board are chief executive Tim Worner, Sheila McGregor and Michael Malone.