AAP
Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange at the close of trade:
CHC - CHARTER HALL GROUP - in trading halt, last traded at 75.5 cents
MQG - MACQUARIE GROUP LTD - down 38 cents to $47.35
Charter Hall Group has acquired the majority of Macquarie Group's core real estate management platform, partly funded by a $220 million equity raising.
CPR - CLIVE PEETERS LTD - up three cents to 40 cents
Shares in white goods and electronic gadgets retailer Clive Peeters have jumped by more than eight per cent on Friday, after the group flagged a better than expected first half result.
LEI - LEIGHTON HOLDINGS LTD - down $1.01 to $37.29
Construction giant Leighton Holdings has upgraded its annual earnings guidance after more than doubling its first half profit.
NCM - NEWCREST MINING LTD - up 24 cents to $32.68
Newcrest Mining has posted a 14.4 per cent increase in first half net profit and says it is in a strong position for earnings growth.
RIO - RIO TINTO LTD - up $2.22 to $71.94
Shares in miner Rio Tinto jumped in early trade, after releasing better than expected annual earnings figures.
TEL - TELECOM CORPORATION OF NEW ZEALAND LTD - down 1.5 cents to $1.80
Telecom says its quarterly results are "solid" but tough economic times and problems with its XT network will see its profits in the lower range of expectation for the full financial year.
