Simon Hartley

Revenue, profit and dividends have all surged for trucking company Mainfreight which has posted a more than 50% increase in after-tax profits, with gains in most divisions.

The $85 million purchase of Skeggs Group-owned Pacifica Seafoods by listed fishing company Sanford will give it a 45% stake in the New Zealand greenshell mussel trade.

Oceana Gold remains bullish its gold/copper development mine in the northern Philippines will be in full production by 2013, boosting annual gold-equivalent production well beyond 300,000oz.

Australian earnings have underpinned infrastructure investment group Infratil's revenue and profit, prompting an upgrade and narrowing of its earnings guidance.

Queenstown-based Skyline Enterprises has rebuffed a bid by dual-listed casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group for its 50% share in the Christchurch casino.

Oceana Gold has maintained investor confidence, with just $A2 million ($NZ2.56 million) of a possible $A55 million in convertible notes being cashed in by investors.

Dunedin food outlet Frozen Direct has been sold to new operators, while its former owner-operator has company liquidation proceedings in place as issues are worked through with unsecured creditors.

The slumping US dollar - which has hit record lows around the world since the US Federal Reserve announced a $US600 billion ($NZ756 billion) package this week - is already causing some concerns for Otago businesses.

Dunedin law firm Wilkinson Adams - a finalist in three separate national awards - has been voted the best place for lawyers to work in New Zealand.

Telecom's forecast after-tax profit for its first-quarter trading is expected to come in at $84 million to $87 million when it reports today, brokers Craigs Investment Partners and Forsyth Barr say.

Despite the triple whammy of the Canterbury earthquake, the South Canterbury Finance failure and the week-long snow-laden storm across the South, businesses are now more optimistic on their outlooks and expectations.

The receivers of failed South Canterbury Finance cannot give any indication if unsecured creditors - possibly owed more than $8 million - will be paid.

An improving employment demand and a recovery in wages that is under way may also spur on inflation, according to data released by Statistics New Zealand yesterday.

High gold prices eclipsed any concern of increasing production costs for East Otago-based Oceana Gold during its latest quarter of production.