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

ASB – AUSTAL – steady at 86.5 cents

Ship builder Austal has received extra work on an existing contract with the US Department of Defence worth $US14 million ($A15.79 million).

DJS – DAVID JONES – up two cents, or 0.7 per cent, at $3.01

MYR – MYER – up four cents, or 1.5 per cent, at $2.77

HVN – HARVEY NORMAN – up one cent, or 0.3 per cent, at $3.16

WOW – WOOLWORTHS – up 13 cents, or 0.4 per cent, at $33.83

WES – WESFARMERS – up 35 cents, or 0.8 per cent, at $44.14

JBH – JB HI-FI – down 12 cents, or 0.6 per cent, at $21.26

The Australian Retailers Association says more than $2 billion was spent by consumers on Boxing Day, and forecasts spending in the coming weeks will be greater than during the same holiday period a year ago.