Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Tuesday:
AGO – ATLAS IRON – steady at 19 cents
Atlas Iron to release its December production report
MQG – MACQUARIE GROUP – up $2.96, or 5.35 per cent, at $58.25
Macquarie Group is on track to post its biggest profit in eight years as the lower Australian dollar and improved market activity bolsters its earnings.
OFX – OZFOREX – down 28 cents, or 10.3 per cent, at $2.43
WBC – WESTPAC – down 13 cents, or 0.4 per cent, at $32.63
OzForex shares dived after one of its major banking partners decided to severe ties to the foreign exchange business.
PDN – PALADIN ENERGY – down 1.5 cents, or 4.2 per cent, at 34 cents
Uranium miner Paladin Energy increased sales revenue during the December quarter but has slightly reduced full year production guidance.
RIO – RIO TINTO – up 27 cents, or 0.5 per cent, at $54.16
Mining giant Rio Tinto is expected to announce record iron ore production and higher sales in an update on Tuesday.
QAN – QANTAS – down six cents, or 2.6 per cent, at $2.25
VAH – VIRGIN AUSTRALIA – down half a cent, or 1.1 per cent, at 44 cents
After a disastrous 2014, this year is shaping up to be much better for Qantas and Virgin Australia with lower fuel prices and a pull-back from a bruising battle for market share set to lift profits.