Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Thursday, July 9:
BHP – BHP BILLITON – down 82 cents, or 3.12 per cent, at $25.43
FMG – FORTESCUE METALS GROUP – down 11 cents, or 6.16 per cent, at $1.675
RIO – RIO TINTO – down $1.68, or 3.25 per cent, at $50.06
Iron ore prices have plunged below $US50 a tonne for the first time in nearly three months, heaping more pressure on Australian miners.
IPL – INCITEC PIVOT – down 10 cents, or 2.62 per cent, at $3.71
Explosives and fertiliser maker Incitec Pivot is facing a steep reduction in gas supply at its ammonium nitrate plant in Queensland which could hit its profits.
NHF – NIB HOLDINGS – down 11 cents, or 3.17 per cent, at $3.36
Health insurer nib has sealed a $95 million deal to buy travel insurance company World Nomads Group.
PRR – PRIMA BIOMED – down 2.7 cents, or 31.76 per cent, at 5.8 cents
Cancer treatment developer Prima Biomed is seeking to raise at least $5 million through an offer of new shares to eligible shareholders at five cents each.
SKF – SKYFII – down 0.5 cents, or 2.86 per cent, at 17 cents
Data provider SkyFii will provide wi-fi to pub baron Justin Hemmes’ Merivale group on a trial basis.
WEB – WEBJET – up 34 cents, or 11.15 per cent, at $3.39
Online travel company Webjet is on track to lift underlying earnings to $27 million despite a rise in costs and foreign currency fluctuations.
