Stocks of interest on the Australian Securities Exchange on Friday:

BHP – BHP BILLITON

FMG – FORTESCUE METALS GROUP

RIO – RIO TINTOP

The pressure on mining stocks could ease on Friday, with the iron ore price for once lifting slightly overnight.

OSH – OILSEARCH

STO – SANTOS

WPL – WOODSIDE PETROLEUM

Oil prices have risen slightly but Australian-listed energy stocks could still be at risk as crude prices hover a little above the crucial $US30-mark.