Dene Mackenzie

Inflation is likely to be at its lowest level since 1999 when figures for the three months ending June are released this morning by Statistics New Zealand.

The Otago-Southland services sector remained "doggedly in contraction" last month with recent cautionary views proving accurate, Otago-Southland Employers Association chief executive John Scandrett said.

A wet winter holiday provided plenty of time for delving into the latest pile of review books, and what ideal reading they were.

Spending a day visiting Waiheke Island wineries with his son Sean seemed the best way to end a wonderful Christmas break in Auckland for business editor Dene Mackenzie.

Dunedin-based Aotea Group of Companies is well on its way with its ambitious plans to become the only truly nationwide provider of electrical and security services, chairman Murray Hughes says.

Retirement village operator Summerset Group has delivered a positive trading update to the market for the six months ended June.

The Rupert Murdoch-controlled News Corporation recently announced it was considering the split-off of its publishing businesses into a separate publicly traded company. Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms believes the split will be positive for the shares, even beyond the initial reaction. Business editor Dene Mackenzie reports.

It is possible for most New Zealanders to own shares in the state-owned assets being partially sold down, but it comes down to lifestyle choices, Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms says.

An NZX requirement for listed companies to disclose their gender diversity has been welcomed by Dunedin sharebroker and director Noeline Munro.

Just months after reportedly intending to reapply for his role as telecommunications commissioner, Ross Patterson was dumped from the position and replaced by Stephen Gale an associate member of the Commerce Commission.

Fifty investors in Hubbard Management Funds will have to repay more than $3 million of distributions made in March after a High Court decision.

After the phenomenal rise seen in the first quarter of the year, equity markets saw some weakness in the three months ended June.

A tight 10-day period of turmoil in both New Zealand and international markets is the likely culprit for a reported fall in employment confidence, Otago-Southland Employers Association chief executive John Scandrett says.

Dunedin-based Pacific Edge was on track to launch its diagnostic test for bladder cancer, Cxbladder, in the United States in March next year, chief executive David Darling said yesterday.