Australia Stocks Preview: Aquarius, Macquarie, Roc, Woodside

By Shani Raja

Sept. 11 (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 gained 0.2 percent to 4,925 at 6:59 a.m. in Sydney. The Bank of New York Australia ADR Index rose 4.2 percent in New York.

The S&P/ASX 200 Index dropped 74.60 points, or 1.5 percent, to 4,905.50.

Mining shares: A measure of six metals traded on the London Metal Exchange advanced 0.5 percent, with zinc climbing 1.9 percent. OZ Minerals Ltd. (OZL AU), the world's second-largest zinc mining company, dropped 7 cents, or 4.9 percent, to A$1.35.

American depositary receipts of BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP AU), the world's largest mining company, surged 5.1 percent to the equivalent of A$35.92 a share in New York, A$1.12 higher than the A$34.80 close in Sydney.

Separately, Rio Tinto Group (RIO AU), the world's second- largest iron-ore producer, said it had ``positive engagement'' with the president of Guinea during discussions about the company's planned $6 billion Simandou project. Rio fell A$5.47, or 5.1 percent, to A$102.03.

Precious metals producers: Gold tumbled 3.7 percent to the lowest price since October on speculation a drop in commodity costs and a stronger dollar will reduce demand for the metal as a hedge against inflation. Silver plunged to the lowest since 2006. Newcrest Mining Ltd. (NCM AU), Australia's biggest gold producer, declined A$1.18, or 5.6 percent, to A$20.02.

Platinum fell to an 18-month low in London on concern that slowing car sales will sap demand for the metal. Aquarius Platinum Ltd. (AQP AU), the producer of the metal in South Africa and Zimbabwe, tumbled A$1.08, or 12 percent, to A$8.12.

Oil companies: Oil futures fell 0.7 percent to a five-month low in New York following a U.S. government report that showed supplies increased along the Gulf Coast as Hurricane Gustav cut refinery output. Brent crude oil for October settlement declined 1.4 percent to $98.97 a barrel on London's ICE Futures Europe exchange, the first time it has closed under $100 since March 24.

Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (WPL AU), Australia's second-largest oil and gas producer, dropped A$2.54, or 4.5 percent, to A$53.93.

Financial stocks: Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. slid 6.9 percent in the U.S., adding to yesterday's record 45 percent tumble and sending financial stocks to a second-straight decline, after the securities firm posted a wider loss than analysts estimated.

Macquarie Group Ltd. (MQG AU), Australia's biggest securities company, percent fell A$1.30, or 2.9 percent, to A$43.50.

Roc Oil Co. (ROC AU), an Australian explorer with operations in Mauritania, China and Angola, plans to raise output to 14,000 barrels a day after purchasing Anzon Energy Ltd. Roc Oil slipped 3 cents, or 2.6 percent, to A$1.11.

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