Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Monday, Dec 1:

CSL – CSL – down 45 cents, or 0.5 per cent, at $82.57

A flu vaccine made by Swiss pharmaceuticals giant Novartis, a company set to be bought by CSL, may be linked to three deaths in Italy.

MEL – METGASCO – down 0.1 cents, or 2.1 per cent, at 4.7 cents

Mining company Metgasco says it is confident a court will overturn the NSW government’s decision to suspend its gas drilling licence.

PRY – PRIMARY HEALTH CARE – steady at $4.70

Medical centres operator Primary Health Care is frustrated by the federal government’s refusal to ditch its GP co-payment plans and wants the controversial policy off the agenda for good.

QAN – QANTAS AIRWAYS – up 12.5 cents, or seven per cent, at $1.92

Qantas is increasing its stake in Jetstar Japan.

RIO – RIO TINTO – up $1.08, or 1.9 per cent, at $59.10

Rio Tinto has deferred making an investment decision on its proposed billion-dollar new iron ore mine in West Australia’s Pilbara region but is sticking with plans to ramp up production of the commodity.

SUN – SUNCORP – down 23 cents, or 1.6 per cent, at $14.34

Insurer Suncorp says the impact on its business from a major storm in Brisbane will be capped at $250 million.

STO – SANTOS – down $1.51, or 13 per cent, at $10.10

WPL – WOODSIDE PETROLEUM – down $2.72, or 7.1 per cent, at $35.75

OSH – OIL SEARCH – down 50 cents, or 5.9 per cent, at $7.97

ORG – ORIGIN ENERGY – down 92 cents, or seven per cent, at $12.25

Shares in Australia’s oil producers are being pounded amid tumbling crude prices and a decision by OPEC’s oil ministers to maintain production targets.