Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Wednesday:

BXB – BRAMBLES – down four cents, or 0.4 per cent, to $9.48

Brambles will look to expand its exposure to the oil and gas sector through a $585 million purchase of UK-based Ferguson Group.

WES – WESFARMERS – up 11 cents, ot 0.25 per cent, at $44.27

Two of the longest serving directors of Coles owner Wesfarmers will step down from the board in November.

WOR – WORLEY PARSONS – up 12 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at $15.91

Engineering and maintenance firm WorleyParsons has acquired US-based hydrocarbons management consultancy MTG for an undisclosed sum.