Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Tuesday

Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Tuesday, Dec 3:

GNC – GRAINCORP – down 31.0 cents, or 3.56 per cent, at $8.41

Outgoing GrainCorp chief executive Alison Watkins is heading to beverages supplier Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) as group managing director.

SEPARATELY: The Obama administration is disappointed at the decision to block a US takeover of Australia’s largest agribusiness.

MTS – METCASH – up 23.0 cents, or 7.54 per cent, at $3.28

Grocery wholesaler Metcash has lifted its first half profit more than 20 per cent thanks to its exit from the Franklins line of supermarkets, which removed a drag on its balance sheet.

QAN – QANTAS AIRWAYS – up one cent, or 0.82 per cent, at $1.23

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has left the door open to allow greater foreign ownership of Qantas, but says any decision must be in the national interest.

WHC – WHITEHAVEN COAL – steady at $1.62

A campaign by environmentalists has forced miner Whitehaven Coal to alter the terms of its $1.2 billion debt facility.