NZ shares rose yesterday, joining a global rally, as demand for so-called growth stocks drove Xero and Wynyard Group to record levels.

Investment firm set up by Subway founders to take 10% stake in listed fast-food chain.

Analyst upbeat about the year ahead for Kiwi intelligence software developer.

A better-than-expected weekly US jobless claims report kept investors on edge for tomorrow's government employment report.

OceanaGold plans to scale back its operations and is expected to axe more than 100 jobs at the Macraes goldfield in Otago in response to a falling gold price.

New Zealand shares fell on the last trading day of 2013 on perceptions that valuations in the local market have become a little stretched pending more evidence of earnings growth. Xero, Summerset Group and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare paced the decline.

Experts say planned construction good for buyers despite use of some prime areas.

Many unsavoury events that have occurred in New Zealand over the past few decades can be attributed to our faith that free markets, writes Peter Lyons.

A local fund manager says he has begun buying shares in embattled telco infrastructure company Chorus because the company is now at its "maximum point of uncertainty."

The Reserve Bank has left the official cash rate unchanged at 2.5 per cent. Interest rates are expected to increase early next year.

When it releases its monetary policy statement on Thursday the Reserve Bank is expected to turn up the volume on its warning that it is preparing to remove the support of ultra-low interest rates in place since the recession.

The Govt has confirmed that NZ emitters with obligations under the emissions trading scheme will only be able to use internationally traded Kyoto Protocol emissions units to meet their ETS obligations until May 2015.

Asian stocks were in the red Thursday after strong US economic data renewed fears that the Federal Reserve may start cutting its monetary stimulus this month.

Travel guide publisher Jasons Travel Media, once led by MP Steven Joyce, has told its lenders to appoint a receiver as the company's financial position deteriorates.

NZ shares were mixed yesterday, with gains in Telecom, Xero and Fletcher Building enough to lift the NZX 50 Index, while more stocks fell, including Sky TV and SkyCity Entertainment Group.

New Zealand has been ranked 17th in the first edition of the Global Talent Competitiveness Index.

Signs of higher-spending visitors and longer trips after Chinese travel sellers told to offer better quality packages.