By Shani Raja
Aug. 1 (Bloomberg) -- The following is a list of companies whose shares may rise or fall in Australia. This preview includes news announced after markets closed yesterday. Prices are from yesterday's close unless otherwise stated.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index futures contract due in September fell 1 percent to 4,930 at 6:59 a.m. in Sydney. The Bank of New York Australia ADR Index declined 1.1 percent in New York.
The S&P/ASX 200 Index rose for a second day, gaining 40.7 points, or 0.8 percent, to 4,977.40.
Mining shares: A measure of six metals traded on the London Metal Exchange advanced 0.3 percent. Zinc rose 1.7 percent and copper 0.3 percent.
American depositary receipts of BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP AU), the world's largest mining company, fell 1.6 percent to the equivalent of A$39.66 a share in New York, 5 cents lower than the A$39.71 close in Sydney.
Rio Tinto Group (RIO AU), the world's third-largest mining company, jumped A$3.90, or 3.2 percent, to A$125.40.
Oil companies: Crude oil fell more than $2 a barrel, capping the biggest one-month decline since December 2004, as a slowing U.S. economy caused fuel consumption to weaken to the lowest in three years. Crude for September delivery fell $2.69, or 2.1 percent, to settle at $124.08 a barrel at 2:54 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange.
Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (WPL AU), Australia's second-largest oil and gas producer, rose A$2.03, or 3.9 percent, to A$53.80.
U.S.-linked companies: U.S. stocks fell, capping a second monthly drop for the Standard & Poor's 500 Index, after economic growth trailed forecasts, jobless claims rose to a five-year high and Exxon Mobil Corp.'s profit missed analysts' estimates. The S&P 500 slid 16.88 points, or 1.3 percent, to 1,267.38, leaving the benchmark index down 1 percent in July.
Separately, former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said falling U.S. home prices are ``nowhere near the bottom'' and the resulting market turmoil isn't showing signs of abating.
James Hardie Industries NV (JHX AU), the biggest seller of home siding in the U.S., advanced 11 cents, or 2.4 percent, to A$4.65. Westfield Group (WDC AU), which owns 59 shopping malls in the U.S., lost 36 cents, or 2.2 percent, to A$16.18.
Allco Finance Group Ltd. (AFG AU): The Sydney-based manager of ships, aircraft and wind farms said yesterday that it has cut senior debt by about a third since April and its bankers agreed to a new debt facility. Allco added 4 cents, or 9.4 percent, to 46.5 cents.
Mirvac Group (MGR AU): The Australian real estate investment trust has stopped redemptions and halted new applications for three mortgage funds holding more than A$240 million ($226 million), the Australian Financial Review reported. An examination found A$39 million of loans were impaired, the newspaper said, citing Mirvac's incoming managing director Nick Collishaw. Mirvac was unchanged at A$2.55.
Sims Group Ltd. (SGM AU): The company was rated new ``buy'' in new coverage by analyst Mark Busuttil at UBS AG. The 12-month price target is A$37.50 per share. Sims jumped 40 cents, or 1.2 percent, to A$33.20.
Sonic Healthcare Ltd. (SHL AU): Australia's biggest provider of medical diagnostics arranged a A$160 million ($151 million), three-year debt program to help it buy more pathology laboratories in Europe and the U.S. Sonic advanced 40 cents, or 3 percent, to A$13.88.
To contact the reporter on this story: Shani Raja in Sydney at sraja4@bloomberg.net.
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