Expect a little bit of love from your power company this year but they're not betting on it being requited.

NZ shares rose to a fresh record yesterday, paced by Mighty River Power, Meridian Energy and Genesis Energy as investors mulled possible lower interest rates across the Tasman.

Meridian Energy has raised its dividend and says it intends to return $625 million of capital to shareholders over the next five years.

Meridian Energy, which generates about 30 per cent of the country's electricity, lifted first-half earnings 21 per cent.

New Zealand shares fell yesterday, led by Contact Energy after it flagged plans to invest offshore. Genesis Energy and Meridian Energy declined as enthusiasm for the sector cooled.

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.

New Zealand shares rose yesterday, heading back towards a record high after a two-day slide.

Meridian Energy is replacing two of its transformers at its Manapouri power station after finding a fault with cooling units.

Mighty River Power and Meridian Energy will keep the price they charge for electricity on hold this year for the third year in a row.

Hydro lake levels are falling and wholesale power prices rising as drought threatens in parts of the country.

Geothermal has pipped gas generation for the first time as more plants come on stream.

Power companies' margins on retail electricity tariffs are unsustainably high, says a new report on listed NZ electricity stocks.

New Zealand shares fell yesterday, paced by Meridian Energy, Contact Energy and Mighty River Power as some investors looked to crystallise recent gains.

Meridian Energy will watch first for closure of fossil fuel-fired power station.

Check out a snapshot of some of the stellar performers on the New Zealand sharemarket this year, as it surged ahead breaking new records.

Investors in Genesis Energy, Mighty River Power and Meridian Energy were more than $600 million richer on paper at one point yesterday after their shares were boosted by National's decisive victory.

Investors in listed power companies appear to be betting the National Party will retain the government benches at Saturday's general election.

Meridian Energy has fattened its dividend and is hinting of a possible return of capital next year after beating prospectus forecasts in its first annual result.

Analysts have mixed views on the outlook for the upcoming earnings season as some of NZ's biggest and most widely held firms prepare to report their annual results.

Meridian Energy's Wellington head office continues to win awards for its green credentials nearly seven years after it was completed.

The National Government's asset sale programme is complete but the debate about the process just won't go away.

The Treasury would have liked more "Mum and Dad" small investors to have bought shares in electricity generators Mighty River Power and Meridian Energy.