Australia Stocks: Felix Resources, Paladin, Platinum, Stockland

By Shani Raja

Oct. 15 (Bloomberg) -- The S&P/ASX 200 Index fell 35.20 points, or 0.8 percent, to 4,300 at the close in Sydney. The broader All Ordinaries Index lost 39 points, or 0.9 percent, to 4,272.50, while futures expiring in December were unchanged at 4,385.

Nickel producers: Mincor Resources NL (MCR AU), Australia's fourth-largest nickel producer, rallied 13 cents, or 13 percent, to A$1.17, the benchmark index's fourth-best performer. Panoramic Resources Ltd. (PAN AU), which supplies BHP Billiton Ltd., added 10 cents, or 8.8 percent, to A$1.24, the highest since Oct. 2.

Nickel has risen 4.5 percent this week on the London Metals Exchange.

Felix Resources Ltd. (FLX AU), an Australian coal producer, slumped 31 cents, or 2.7 percent, to A$11.09, snapping a two-day advance. Felix said global market volatility meant the company was unable to complete an earlier sale as planned, adding that it has been approached by new potential acquirers.

Paladin Energy Ltd. (PDN AU), the Australian company producing uranium in Namibia, tumbled 39 cents, or 15 percent, to A$2.21. Paladin said the global credit crunch may stymie planned industry projects, cutting supplies of the nuclear fuel.

Platinum Australia Ltd. (PLA AU), which owns mines in South Africa and Australia, rose 1 cent, or 1.3 percent, to 79 cents, the most since Sept. 26. Platinum futures rose the most in three weeks after the U.S. announced a $250 billion plan to support banks, easing concern that faltering economic growth will hurt demand for industrial metals.

Stockland (SGP AU), Australia's largest housing developer, jumped 19 cents, or 4 percent, to A$4.90, the highest since Oct. 9. Stockland said it bought a 5 percent stake in FKP Property Group (FKP AU). FKP plunged 25 cents, or 16 percent, to A$1.25.

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