Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Wednesday, Feb 12:
ANZ - ANZ BANKING GROUP - up 65 cents, or 2.2 per cent, at $30.56
ANZ has lifted first quarter cash profit by more than 13 per cent to $1.73 billion on the back of growth in home lending and lower bad debts.
BKN - BRADKEN - down 49 cents, or 9.4 per cent, at $4.72
Engineering company Bradken says it's pursuing acquisitions and other business opportunities, while announcing its half yearly profit has fallen 18.5 per cent.
COH - COCHLEAR - down $5.21, or 8.85 per cent, at $53.68
Delays in regulatory approvals for new products have contributed to Cochlear's 73 per cent drop in half year profit.
DJS - DAVID JONES - up one cent, or 0.3 per cent, at $3.12
The resignation of David Jones chairman Peter Mason could keep chief executive Paul Zahra in his job and pave the way for merger negotiations with rival Myer.
FGE - FORGE - last traded at 91.5 cents
Shares in Forge Group have been placed in a trading halt after the engineering company announced its financiers had withdrawn their support.
GNC - GRAINCORP - steady at $7.71
GrainCorp will slash 130 jobs and close its Murarrie plant in Brisbane as it shifts its food manufacturing operations to Victoria.
MQG - MACQUARIE GROUP - down $2.10, or 3.8 per cent, at $53.52
Investment bank Macquarie Group still expects a stronger full year performance as general market conditions continue to show signs of improvement.
WCB - WARRNAMBOOL CHEESE AND BUTTER FACTORY - down 38 cents, or four per cent, at $9.04
Saputo has increased its stake in Warrnambool Cheese and Butter Factory to more than 80 per cent, edging the Canadian dairy giant's takeover of the Victorian company closer to completion.
