Dene Mackenzie

Forsyth Barr has identified six key themes for the listed property sector this year. Business editor Dene Mackenzie talks to broker Lyn Howe about the year ahead.

The arrival of a new Reserve Bank governor, Adrian Orr, next month  adds to the uncertainty surrounding the path for interest rates, BNZ economist Nick Smyth says.

The reporting season continues this week but is starting to taper off after a busy time last week.

Meridian Energy experienced low inflow into its key South Island hydro lakes but still managed to increase its dividend when it reported its first-half financial results this week.

New Zealand Post is facing a significant challenge as its largest customers increasingly move to online communication for their own customers, chief executive David Walsh said yesterday.

Port of Tauranga reported a 13% increase in profit for the six months ended December representing the company's best result in five years, Forsyth Barr broker Damian Foster said yesterday.

Kiwi Group, which includes Kiwibank, experienced a significant slowdown in lending growth during last winter and before the September election.

NZME, the publisher of The New Zealand Herald, remains committed to merging with Stuff Ltd and seems likely to soon implement a paywall for premium content on the Herald website.

Air New Zealand says it is on track to report its second-highest annual profit, even after reporting slightly lower earnings before interest and tax in the six months ended December.

Telecommunications company Spark made much of its change programme when releasing its financial results yesterday for the six months ended December.

a2 milk has posted an ''outstanding'' $99million half-year after-tax profit, at the same time announcing a crucial partnership with Fonterra to source, manufacture and distribute a2 milk globally.

Clothing retailer Hallenstein Glasson issued a significant profit upgrade yesterday,  after a 19.4% increase in sales for the six months ended February 1.

Investors will be looking for some reassurance from some of New Zealand’s most prominent companies today, particularly from Fletcher Building, which will report its first-half result.

Heartland Bank lifted its interim profit after strong growth in its New Zealand household division and in Australia, where its new reverse mortgage business grew by 22%.

Freightways is enjoying elevated activity as growth in e-commerce continues, Forsyth Barr broker Lyn Howe says.

The NZX reported higher earnings for the year ended December, reflecting a large cutback in operating costs.

Dene Mackenzie reviews Robert Crais' new Elvis Cole private investigator book The Wanted. Published by Simon & Schuster.

Auckland International Airport reported a higher reported profit for the six months ended December, helped by the ongoing success of Queenstown Airport.

Ten new National Party MPs, all in relatively safe seats, will next week become the major focus in the National Party leadership contest.