Stocks to watch at noon on Friday

STOCKS to watch on the Australian stock exchange at noon on Friday:

BBG - BILLABONG INTERNATIONAL LTD - down 2.5 cents, or 2.75 per cent, at 88.5 cents

Shares in Billabong have fallen back toward their all-time low after the surfwear retailer suffered a $537 million first half loss.

CWN - CROWN LTD - up 15 cents, or 1.30 per cent, at $11.70

James Packer's casino operator Crown has posted a 34 per cent drop in first half profit, as weak consumer sentiment and refurbishment work affected its business.

FDC - FEDERATION CENTRES - up two cents, or 0.85 per cent, at $2.38

Federation Centres posts a $115.9 million first half net profit, compared with a $100.1 million loss in the prior corresponding period.

SGM - SIMS METAL MANAGEMENT LTD - up 33 cents, or 3.09 per cent, at $11.00

Scrap metal recycler Sims Metal Management has posted another first half loss due to lower volumes and metal prices.

STO - SANTOS LTD - up 23 cents, or 1.93 per cent, at $12.13

Santos' full year net profit has dropped by nearly a third but the oil and gas producer still expects to meet its production targets in 2013.

TPI - TRANSPACIFIC INDUSTRIES GROUP LTD - up 8.5 cents, or 10.69 per cent, at 88 cents

Transpacific Industries has posted a strong rise in first half profit to $32.3 million but says more needs to be done to improve its waste management business.

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