Stocks to watch at noon on Friday

US stocks have moved higher after jobless claims declined for the third straight week.

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

AAC - AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL COMPANY - flat at $1.25

Australian cattle numbers have grown substantially, partly as a result of the federal government's temporary suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia in mid-2011, says beef producer Australian Agricultural Company (AACo).

LEI - LEIGHTON HOLDINGS - up 42 cents, or 1.9 per cent, at $22.11

Visionstream Australia Pty Ltd (Visionstream), part of Leighton Contractors, has been awarded a $334 million contract for the roll out of the National Broadband Network in Victoria, Queensland and southern New South Wales.

WBC - WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION - up 59 cents, or 1.9 per cent, at $30.72

MELBOURNE - A consortium of 20 banks, including Westpac, involved in Australia's most expensive and longest-running court case have won the right to take their battle to the High Court.

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