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Bank expects dairy prices to firm
ANZ said it expects dairy prices to continue this year's firming trend at tomorrow's GlobalDairyTrade auction.

Stock Takes: Duke coy on Pumpkin Patch but branches out in retail
Market speculation about Rod Duke boosting his stake in struggling children's clothing chain Pumpkin Patch has so far failed to become a reality, writes Christopher Adams.

LIC aims for $1 billion revenue
Livestock Improvement Corp will set off on a "roadshow" in June to sound out its farmer-shareholders about the possibility of raising capital to drive growth.

Big-screen dreams thanks to Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson inspires Asian migrants to make movies for release here and overseas, and that could mean more tourists visiting this country, says a professor of diversity.

Retail sales help lift kiwi
The New Zealand dollar rose against its Australian counterpart yesterday as retail sales beat expectations.

Industry chief welcomes house factory
An industry chief has welcomed the new Matrix house-building factory in Trentham.

Showdown looms for Contact Energy
Contact Energy could be heading for a showdown with minority shareholders over what to do with a $1 billion pot of cash.

Services sector hits six-month high
New Zealand's services sector activity rose to a six-month high in January as record inward migration boosted demand for housing, increasing the need for property-related services.

Receivers target bankrupt dying exec
The receivers of Belgrave Finance are trying to bankrupt the terminally ill property developer who controlled the company, despite doubts it'll yield money.

More expect rise in house prices
Expectations of house price inflation have jumped, especially in Auckland, ASB's quarterly survey of housing market sentiment has found.

KiwiSaver: Oz super can't be used for NZ first home
Systems are now in place to bring superannuation savings across the Tasman but there is some fine print, particularly for first-home buyers, writes helen Twose.

NZ market set to buoy Fletcher result
Rising New Zealand commercial and house-building could buoy this week's Fletcher Building result as analysts highlighted domestic activity as a big profit driver.

Secrets behind Hart's success
Graeme Hart's former business partner Stephen James says there are several features that helped Hart's Rank Group become so successful.

Boss backs FMA on market manipulation
The boss of a local fund manager has welcomed efforts by the country's financial regulator to crack down on market manipulation.

Drug firm targets $244m revenue
Douglas Pharmaceuticals, New Zealand's largest developer and manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals, is targeting annual revenues of $244 million by 2020.

Syndicate investors suffer $25m losses
Investors in nine property syndicates that have so far lost $25 million say related-party loans and mismanagement may have contributed to their financial woes.

Stock Takes: FMA 'judgment calls' in spotlight
The probe into suspected dodgy trading at Milford Asset Management highlights the awkward situation the Financial Markets Authority faces when its investigations become common knowledge within the....

Shanton Fashion shortfall about $4.45m
Creditors of women's clothing chain Shanton Fashion are owed almost $7.8 million, while the company has $3.35 million in assets, a wider shortfall than the $693,000 estimate directors gave when the company went into voluntary administration last month.

Oil's surge in volatility just what traders want
The CBOE Crude Oil Volatility Index climbed to 63.14 on February 5, the highest level in almost six years.

Global growth quickens on US expansion
The global growth scare that's gripped financial markets is looking overblown to some economists.

Apples down 6% but quality better
Local apple production looks set to drop by 6 per cent this year because of a cool start to spring, but a warm summer has improved the crop's quality, says Pipfruit New Zealand.

Africa volatility scares off investors
West Australian mining companies with operations in Africa have had A$3.6 billion ($3.7 billion) wiped from their value in the past year.

Dividend payers lead NZ market down
New Zealand shares fell yesterday from a record close paced by Meridian Energy, Precinct Properties New Zealand and Spark New Zealand, as the appetite waned.

'It was addictive, like a drug'
Herald investigation shows makers of pre-workout supplements are always trying new tricks to beat government bans.

Mark Lister: Straight to full speed in 2015
Mark Lister writes: This year has started in an eventful fashion and a number of key developments will set the tone for 2015.