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Stocks to watch on Thursday

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Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Thursday, Nov 20:

AAC – AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY – down two cents, or 1.3 per cent, at $1.485

The nation’s biggest beef and cattle producer says the free trade agreement between Australia and China creates greater market access, but AACo will focus on pursuing high-value customers wherever they may be.

AGI – AINSWORTH GAME TECHNOLOGY – down 23 cents, or 8.5 per cent, at $2.49

Poker machine developer Ainsworth Game Technology is set to expand further into the increasingly lucrative world of online social casinos.

AGO – ATLAS IRON – down one cent, or 4.7 per cent, at 20.5 cents

BCI – BC IRON – down eight cents, or 12.2 per cent, at 57.5 cents

BHP – BHP BILLITON – down 51 cents, or 1.5 per cent, at $32.67

FMG – FORTESCUE METALS – down 23 cents, or 7.7 per cent, at $2.74

RIO – RIO TINTO – down $1.49, or 2.5 per cent, at $57.98

An overnight slump in the iron ore price, falling 4.4 per cent to $US71.80, took it to a five-year low.

JHX – JAMES HARDIE INDUSTRIES – up 52 cents, or 4.3 per cent, at $12.52

James Hardie shares have climbed after the building products maker reported a strong jump in half year operating profit.

NEC – NINE ENTERTAINMENT – up one cent, or 0.5 per cent, at $2.06

A pickup in the advertising market has given Nine Entertainment confidence about lifting its first half profit.

Its chairman has added his voice to growing calls from media bosses for the federal government to revamp the industry’s ownership rules.

ORI – ORICA – down 78 cents, or 4.05 per cent, at $18.47

Chemicals producer Orica expects to cut 700 jobs in 2015 and has agreed to sell its chemicals business for $750 million to private equity group Blackstone.

SVW – SVEN WEST GROUP – down 60 cents, or 9.2 per cent, at $5.90

Kerry Stokes’ mining services business WesTrac Australia is cutting at least another 100 jobs because of steep falls in commodity prices.

TEN – TEN NETWORK HOLDINGS – up 0.5 cents, or 1.9 per cent, at 27 cents

The list of potential buyers for the Ten Network continues to grow, with another US private equity group reportedly running the ruler over the struggling broadcaster.

VAH – VIRGIN AUSTRALIA – down 0.5 cents, or 1.25 per cent, at 39.5 cents

Virgin Australia expects to make an underlying profit in the second quarter of this financial year.