Federal chairman Ben Bernanke has provided investors with little incentive to commit fresh funds to Wall Street as the central bank cut its US economic growth forecast for 2011.

Emotive terms such as 'asset sell-off' are not accurate. Andrew Harmos, NZX chairman.

For an investor, Fonterra warrants close attention..

Average prices of dairy products fell from a three-month high in Fonterra's latest online auction, as commodity prices and equity markets weakened on doubts about the pace of US economic growth and Greece's debt woes.

Pumpkin Patch plans to close its US stores, write-off unprofitable outlets in the UK and cut head office staff, saying there's no sign that 'challenging and volatile' markets will improve any time soon.