Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Wednesday, Feb 4:

BPT – BEACH ENERGY – up 15.75 cents, or 15.6 per cent, at $1.1675

SVW – SEVEN GROUP HOLDINGS – up 19 cents, or 3.65 per cent, at $5.40

Beach Energy shares soared after billionaire Kerry Stokes sparked takeover talk by upping his stake in the group to nearly 14 per cent.

FDC – FEDERATION CENTRES – up three cents, or one per cent, at $3.13

NVN – NOVION PROPERTY GROUP – up 22 cents, or 9.5 per cent, at $2.54

Two of Australia’s largest property groups, Novion and Federation Centres, say they will merge to create an $11 billion company.

NVT – NAVITAS – down 50 cents, or 9.5 per cent, at $4.75

Education provider Navitas suffered a sharp drop in half year profit.

PYL – PHYTOTECH MEDICAL – down 6.5 cents, or 15.5 per cent, at 35.5 cents

PhytoTech’s share price has plunged further after its founder and chief executive Ross Smith resigned on Monday over an ugly online spat.

WPL – WOODSIDE PETROLEUM – up $1.04, or three per cent, at $35.69

OSH – OIL SEARCH – up 35 cents, or 4.4 per cent, at $8.33

STO – SANTOS – up 21 cents, or 2.6 per cent, at $8.21

World oil prices advanced overnight as data showed US oil companies cut drilling activity in response to low prices.