Stocks to watch on the Australian stock exchange on Wednesday:

WBC – WESTPAC BANKING CORPORATION – down 46 cents to $20.83

Westpac will hold its annual general meeting in Sydney on Wednesday.

ORI – ORICA LTD – down 31 cents at $25.47

SYDNEY – Orica says it is producing ammonium nitrate at its Newcastle plant again after being allowed to restart some of its facilities last week.

BTR – BLACKTHORN RESOURCES – up 0.5 cents at 50.5 cents

SYDNEY – Junior minerals explorer Blackthorn Resources has extracted the first ore from its joint venture Perkoa project in Africa, and production remains on target to begin in the second half of 2012.

LLC – LEND LEASE GROUP – down 20 cents at $7.27

SYDNEY – Lend Lease has appointed Tony Lombardo as its new chief financial officer, effective immediately.

RIO – RIO TINTO LTD – down $1.37 at $62.76

Rio Tinto has increased its holding in Canadian uranium company Hathor Exploration and extended its friendly offer a second time.