Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at the close on Thursday:
ASB - AUSTAL - steady at 88 cents
Ship builder Austal expects to meet its full year revenue target after reporting a 76 per cent increase in first half net profit.
NEC - NINE ENTERTAINMENT - up one cent, or 0.4 per cent, at $2.29
Nine Entertainment boss David Gyngell says his television network will build its business with a focus on local content, as the recently relisted company showed it is on track to beat its earnings forecasts.
OSH - OIL SEARCH - untraded at $8.57
Oil Search has lifted its 2013 full year profit due to solid production at the company's PNG oil fields.
PPT - PERPETUAL - up $1.09, or 2.2 per cent, at $50.79
Wealth manager Perpetual has lifted its half year profit due to improved equity markets and lower costs as a result of a restructure.
QAN - QANTAS AIRWAYS - down 11.5 cents, or 9.1 per cent, at $1.155
Qantas will axe 5,000 jobs over three years as it attempts to slash costs after posting a $252 million first half loss.
SVW - SEVEN GROUP - down 16 cents, or two per cent, at $8.01
Billionaire Kerry Stokes' cashed up Seven Group has shrugged off a forecast 30-40 per cent fall in full year profit, declaring it is chasing growth and takeovers.
TSE - TRANSFIELD SERVICES - down 11.5 cents, or 11.9 per cent, at 85 cents
Maintenance and project management firm Transfield Services says activity levels in Australia and New Zealand remain subdued leading into the second half of the financial year.
