Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at noon on Wednesday:
AGK - AGL ENERGY LTD - up 58 cents, or 3.82 per cent, at $15.77
AGL Energy's acquisition of a major Victorian power plant has contributed to a significant rise in first half profit to $365 million.
JHX - JAMES HADIE INDUSTRIES PLD - up 19 cents, or 0.96 per cent, at $9.54
Building products group James Hardie has trimmed its earnings forecast for the year, saying conditions in the housing market remain uncertain.
MAH - MACAHON HOLDINGS LTD - down 1.75 cents, or 5.15 per cent, at 32.25
Mining services company MacMahon Holdings will post a loss of up to $20 million this financial year because of its troubled construction business.
PRT - PRIME MEDIA GROUP LTD - down 0.5 cents, or 0.48 per cent, at $1.03
The economic effects of the Queensland floods have forced regional broadcaster Prime Media Group to write down the value of its radio licences by $15 million.
SGH - SlATER & GORDON LTD - up five cents, or 2.12 per cent, at $2.41
Law firm Slater & Gordon has lifted its half year profit by 61 per cent, partly thanks to a successful marketing campaign and expansion efforts in the UK.
SYD - SYDNEY AIRPORT - up four cents, or 1.27 per cent, at $3.18
Sydney Airport has swung back into profitability as retail and car parking revenue grew and airlines added more flights.
UGL - UGL LTD - down 33 cents, or 3.03 per cent, at $10.57
Engineering firm UGL's first half profit has slumped by 53 per cent due to $25 million in costs from a restructure.
WDC - WESTFIELD GROUP - up 4.5 cents, or 0.41 per cent, at $11.125
WRT - WESTFIELD RETAIL TRUST - up 4.5 cents, or 1.43 per cent, at $3.185
Shopping centre developer Westfield Group's annual profit has grown by 18 per cent as income from its centres across the world increased.
WTF - WOTIF.COM HOLDINGS LTD - down 63 cents, or 10.78 per cent, at $5.21
Wotif Group says its first half profit is down five per cent, partly due to a global decline in travel.
