Low interest rates have been a key factor behind the NZ sharemarket's strong run, due to its high proportion of dividend-paying, high-yielding stocks.

There has been speculation for several months that Vodafone was looking to sell its New Zealand operations, with Sky TV tipped as a possible option.

Kathmandu is suing its biggest shareholder, Briscoe Group, in an effort to recoup what it spent fending off the rival retailer's failed takeover attempt.

Mark Weldon couldn't take criticism and ruled NZX with an iron fist while deliberately avoiding requests from Clear's former owners, High Court has heard.

New Zealand shares rose as Steel & Tube Holdings rebounded from Thursday's sell-down and Metro Performance Glass gained.

COMMENT: The domestic sharemarket has continued its march ahead, with the S&P/NZX 50 Index moving through 7000 points for the first time ever.

Shares in Steel & Tube Holdings have fallen to their lowest level since the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

New Zealand shares gained as Fletcher Building reached its highest level this year on speculation it will benefit from housing demand.

New Zealand's benchmark stock index hit a record high, led by Air New Zealand and Tower, while Steel & Tube Holdings continued to decline.

Vista Group International has inked its first deal to provide its cinema software to theatres in Africa.

NZX's former head of strategy told the High Court Ralec set the first target Clear failed to meet.

New Zealand shares were mixed on a relatively quiet Monday as the market digested results posted by companies with a March 31 balance date.

Abano has agreed to sell its 50 per cent stake in audiology company Bay International to interests associated with Peter Hutson for $32 million.

There's no doubting that the NZX and the wider investment community would like to see more initial public offers and sharemarket listings.

New Zealand shares fell from a record high as speculation about a Federal Reserve rate hike next month drove up the US dollar

The emergence of new investor groups such as iwi and community trusts will introduce additional liquidity into the private equity sector, says the latest EY survey.

New Zealand shares rose, pushing the S&P/NZX 50 Index to a new record on expectations Meridian Energy will be a key beneficiary of proposed changes to electricity transmission charges.

A changing of the guard is underway at Buffett's holdings company.

NZ shares fell on renewed concerns that Sky Network Television will struggle to maintain subscriber numbers in the face of new internet-based rivals.

New Zealand shares joined a slide in equity markets that started on Wall Street and continued into Asia.

New Zealand shares reached a fresh record, as Orion Health Group advanced while Sky Network Television's losing streak continued.

NZ shares rose, pushing the S&P/NZX 50 Index to a record high as Air New Zealand and A2 Milk gained while Sky Network Television extended its slide.

NZX director Neil Paviour-Smith told the High Court the company spent no more than A$10 million on developing the Clear Grain Exchange.

COMMENT: The New Zealand sharemarket has a global reputation as a lucrative source of dividends.

Former NZX chief executive Mark Weldon was under pressure from his board over the his performance when he stopped funding for Clear Grain Exchange.

$300 million raised in float will help fund overseas expansion as shares jump 5.2% on first day of trading.

The world's biggest fund is to use its huge influence to vote against fat cat pay and boardroom bad behaviour.

The Tegel shares were widely expected to trade at a premium to the $1.55 IPO price.

COMMENT: Tegel's sharemarket listing could be the most high-profile float the NZX will see this year. But the company is taking a low-key approach to its big day.