Australia Stocks Preview: Consolidated Media, Origin, Rio Tinto

By Shani Raja

Aug. 4 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose shares may rise or fall in Australia. This preview includes news announced after markets closed on Friday. Prices are from Friday's close unless otherwise stated.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index futures contract due in September fell 0.8 percent to 4,875 at 6:59 a.m. in Sydney. The Bank of New York Australia ADR Index declined 5.3 percent in New York.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 73.40, or 1.5 percent, to 4,904.

Mining shares: A measure of six metals traded on the London Metal Exchange fell 1.9 percent. Zinc lost 3.3 percent, copper 1.9 percent and nickel 0.3 percent.

American depositary receipts of BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP AU), the world's largest mining company, slipped 5.9 percent to the equivalent of A$37.77 a share in New York, A$1.34 lower than the A$39.11 close in Sydney.

Rio Tinto Group (RIO AU), the world's third-largest mining company, declined A$3.80, or 3 percent, to A$121.60.

Oil companies: Crude oil rose after Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shaul Mofaz said all options are open as Iran drives toward a ``major breakthrough'' in its nuclear weapons program. Crude for September delivery rose $1.02, or 0.8 percent, to settle at $125.10 a barrel in New York on Aug. 1.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (WPL AU), Australia's second-largest oil and gas producer, dipped A$1.07, or 2 percent, to A$52.73.

National Australia Bank Ltd. (NAB AU): U.S. credit markets deteriorated rapidly last month and may get ``quite a bit worse,'' National Australia Bank Chairman Michael Chaney told the Australian Broadcasting Corp.'s Inside Business Program on August 3. The lender's shares dropped 36 cents, or 1.5 percent, to A$24.34.

Origin Energy Ltd. (ORG AU): Royal Dutch Shell Plc and BP Plc have approached Origin over its coal seam gas assets in Queensland, Australia, the Sunday Telegraph reported, citing unidentified sources. Origin gained 21 cents, or 1.3 percent, to A$16.06.

Consolidated Media Holdings Ltd. (CMJ AU): Seven Network Ltd., the television broadcaster controlled by billionaire Kerry Stokes, has increased its stake in James Packer's Consolidated Media Holdings to 5 percent, the Australian Financial Review reported, without saying where it got the information. Consolidated declined 4 cents, or 1.4 percent, to A$2.90. Seven rose 22 cents, or 3 percent, to A$7.60.

To contact the reporter on this story: Shani Raja in Sydney at sraja4@bloomberg.net.