The overarching theme for banking around the world in 2013 will continue to be financial stability - how to achieve it, and how to maintain it, writes Kirk Hope.

January was a great month for sharemarkets with the NZX 50 Gross Index gaining 4.6 per cent while the ASX200 Accumulation (gross) Index appreciated 5 per cent.

Briscoe Group says annual profit climbed at least 9 per cent after a good Christmas sales period.

The NZIER shadow board believes Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler should leave the official cash rate on hold at 2.5 per cent tomorrow but, like last month, the margin by which they prefer that to a rate cut is narrow.

This year is shaping up to be a very busy one for new sharemarket listings...

An uncompetitive economy like ours becomes more and more dependent on those fewer and fewer sectors that can compete in international terms, writes Bryan Gould.

Auckland continues to be one of the most unaffordable cities in the world to buy a home, with an international study ranking London, New York and Los Angeles more affordable.

Executives running the country's biggest real estate syndicator, managing property assets valued at about $850 million, are examining a new venture.

New Zealand shares were sold off across the board yesterday following a strong run earlier in the week.

US financial markets have taken a breather after weeks of intense haggling throughout the debate on the fiscal cliff.

Nearly 3000 homes sold for $1 million or more last year - a 36 per cent increase on 2011, new figures show.

Market players are picking a bumper year for new sharemarket listings on the back of strong sharemarket gains and investor appetite for equities.

The local market has been hotter than the mid-January sun for the past few weeks, writes Liam Dann. Market reports have been noting fresh five-year highs nearly every day.