Trading at the Australian Stock Exchange is going strong for the third straight day. The September share price index contract went up 30 points at 4,559.

All sectors closed fairly good on Thursday. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index closed with 37 points (0.82 percent) at 4,532.7 points, while the broader All Ordinaries index ended 36.2 points more (0.8 percent) to 4,563 points.

The Asciano Group (ASX: AIO) and Foster's Group Limited (ASX: FGL) top the list of stocks to watch today, primarily, due to Foster's chief financial officer Angus McKay's decision to cross the fence to join Asciano in a similar position. Asciano is down 2.5 cents at $1.70 while Foster's is down one cent at $6.10.

Mining companies BHP Billiton Limited (Asx: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO) are all time favorites. BHP shares are up 41 cents at $38.32, while Rio Tinto is also up 88 cents at $73.12. Rio Tinto has begun operations of $US1.5 billion Brockman 4 iron ore mine in West Australia's Pilbara.

Woodside Petroleum Limited (ASX: WPL) deserves a watchful eye because of negative sentiments among Western Australia's aborigines. The petroleum company claims it is on track to complete a $1.25 billion work program by mid-2012. Shares are up 33 cents at $43.23.