Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at the close on Monday, Feb 17:
AHE - AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS - down five cents, or 1.35 per cent, at $3.65
Australia's largest car and truck retailer has managed a small rise in half year profit, as changes in its road transport operations weighed on earnings.
CQR - CHARTER HALL RETAIL REIT - up two cents, or 0.55 per cent, at $3.66
Shopping centre owner Charter Hall Retail REIT has lifted its half year profit and says its focus on Australian properties is delivering solid income growth.
HIL - HILLS HOLDINGS - down two cents, or 1.1 per cent, at $1.74
The company behind the famous Hills Hoist is to set up two technology development centres in Adelaide aimed at creating new products and businesses.
NCM - NEWCREST MINING - down 21 cents, or 1.9 per cent, at $11.05
Newcrest Mining expects to achieve its full year production and cash flow targets despite suffering an 88 per cent fall in first half profit.
PDN - PALADIN ENERGY - steady at 47.5 cents
A third consecutive year of weak uranium prices has led to Paladin Energy's half year net loss increasing to $US255 million.
QAN - QANTAS AIRWAYS - up three cents, or 2.5 per cent, at $1.215
The Australian Greens will push parliament for a debt guarantee for Qantas with "strings attached" but will fight any move to amend the Qantas Sale Act, while Prime Minister Tony Abbott says he won't be offering the airline a "free ride on the taxpayer".
SGM - SIMS METAL MANAGEMENT - up 68 cents, or 6.8 per cent, at $10.70
The world's largest recycler, Sims Metal Management, has returned to profitability following improvements in its Australian and US businesses.
TPI - TRANSPACIFIC INDUSTRIES - up two cents, or 1.75 per cent, at $1.165
Half year profit for waste management firm Transpacific Industries has been boosted by the sale of its commercial vehicles business, while its underlying earnings dropped slightly.
