IN BRIEF : Qantas delay

Qantas said the delay was caused mainly by identifying the size of foreign-owned stakes held by Australian nominee companies.

It said it had sent out some 70 notices Monday to nominees requiring them to provide details of relevant interests in Qantas shares. "A significant proportion of replies have not yet been received. It not possible for Qantas to reconcile the actual level of foreign ownership until all these replies are received. As a result, Qantas is not yet in a position to advise the level of foreign ownership."Qantas shares closed 3 cents higher at A$2.11.