Higher tax paid by New Zealanders, probably the result of solid investment income driven by recent strength in sharemarkets, has again helped boost the Government's accounts 10 days out from Budget 2013.
Unemployment is expected to have dropped slightly in the three months ended March to 6.8%, assuming recent positive-feeling surveys on the domestic economy prove accurate.
All political parties should consider carefully the impact of regulatory change and uncertainty on New Zealand's financial markets, NZX chairman Andrew Harmos said in his address to the NZX annual meeting.
Sharebrokers were yesterday reporting a last-minute flood of investor interest in Mighty River Power (MRP) shares before the offer closed at 5pm.
A substantial reduction in allowances for bad debts helped Westpac New Zealand lift its cash profit 7% to $370 million in the six months ended March from the previous corresponding period.
Z Energy, which is contemplating a partial listing on the NZX in September, improved its operating profit in the year ended March but its reported profit was hit by various factors to see it halve from last year.
Proposed changes to employment law are just an excuse to drive down wages and give some employers a mandate to behave badly, Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union secretary Bill Newson tells business editor Dene Mackenzie during a visit to Dunedin this week.
Business leaders yesterday slammed the Labour-Green electricity policy but the two political parties responded by saying they had no intention to withdraw the controversial plan to nationalise the industry.
Broking firm Forsyth Barr has maintained its reduce recommendation on Fonterra shareholders fund shares despite the dairy co-operative indicating another restructuring was under way.
The outcome of the Mighty River Power listing on the NZX will determine whether the Government proceeds with its proposed partial sale of Meridian Energy.
The partial listing of Z Energy moved closer yesterday with owners Infratil and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund appointing investment bankers and brokers to assess the process.
New Zealand building consents fell sharply in March, against expectations, but it is not a cause for concern, Westpac chief economist Dominick Stephens says.
The ANZ Banking Group's New Zealand arm continued to improve its profit in the six months ended March even as its total operating income fell.
The need to diversify Otago's economy was clearly identified in a report released yesterday by Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce, Otago Chamber of Commerce president Peter McIntyre said.
A triple dip of data out today is expected to continue the recent theme of strong growth versus low inflation.
The Government is pushing on with its programme of encouraging oil and gas exploration around New Zealand with the release yesterday of its second round to attract competing bids for exploration permits.
Bank profits will again be in the spotlight this week with the three largest Australian banks due to start reporting their September half-year results from today.
Online shopping has proved something of a boon for courier companies. Business editor DeneMackenzie talks to Fastway Couriers chief executive Jason Windhager about the changing industry.
Listed property companies are proving an attractive investment with people looking for income during times of low interest rates, Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms says.
Air New Zealand is looking a good sale prospect for the Government if it continues to get bogged down in political debate with the Labour and Green parties over the partial float of state-owned energy assets.
