Aspiring West Coast coal miner Bathurst Resources has posted a $A13.4 million ($NZ16.8 million) loss for its full year to June, but retains more than $A87 million in cash and an asset base valued at $A388 million.
Regular auditing by Dunedin-based parent company Motor Trade Finance of an Auckland franchise's loans has resulted in 110 fraud charges being laid by the Serious Fraud Office against seven people.
Boutique Dunedin company St Kilda Finance is one of six being dropped from investigations by the Financial Markets Authority, which believes no laws were broken before their respective collapses.
Port Otago has delivered a record $12.5 million dividend to 100% owner the Otago Regional Council; taking its total dividend payouts during the past 22 years beyond $100 million.
Opposition to the extraction of low and high-grade coals across the South Island is mounting, with an Environment Court challenge lodged and increasing attacks on the Government backing coal and lignite use.
Manufacturing data has revealed more declines in the ailing timber industry.
A core 1% decline in manufacturing for the second quarter of the year - including large declines in coal and petroleum production - will reinforce there is no urgency for the Reserve Bank to raise the official cash rate.
Briscoes has delivered a solid result in a tough retailing environment, with increased sales and after-tax profit for its half-year report and its dividend up slightly on last year.
Australian exploration and mining company Greywolf Resources, claiming to have access to billions of dollars for large-scale South Island projects, remains under the scrutiny of the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).
Gold is being tipped to push through $US2000 ($NZ2320) an ounce by analysts, but several are cautioning about buying into an oversold bubble.
Oceana Gold has begun the tendering process to sell gold and copper concentrate from its development Didipio tenement in the northern Philippines, which is expected to be fully commissioned by the end of 2012.
United States markets will today set the pace after European sharemarkets tumbled yesterday on fears bail-outs for some euro zone countries are less certain and could unravel.
New Zealand's forestry sector is facing bleak times again as China processes more sawn timber for itself at unbeatable production rates and as other log exporters elbow New Zealand aside.
Mosgiel-based Watertight Plumbing and Heating Ltd has been placed in voluntary liquidation owing about $1.15 million to almost 150 creditors - with the loss of 17 jobs.
Dunedin-based cancer diagnostic company Pacific Edge has raised 95% - or $15 million of $16 million sought - to swell its United States expansion coffers to $20.1 million.
Shares in East Otago-based gold producer Oceana Gold are attracting global fund attention, with a group amassing an almost 8% stake costing $A9.66 million ($NZ12.1 million) during the past three months.
The Reserve Bank may yet consider postponing the beginning of it monetary tightening policy as mortgage holders swing in increasing numbers to floating their loans.
A dramatic surge in Chinese demand for New Zealand logs appears to be stalling as China has amassed vast stockpiles and prices have fallen almost 20%.
Coal mining may become a political issue as opponents criticise Solid Energy and Bathurst Resources developments.
Delegates attending the influential Institute of Mining and Metallurgy conference in Queenstown were upbeat about New Zealand's prospects. Business reporter Simon Hartley wraps up the conference.
