Bapcor has succeeded in its $352 million takeover of Hellaby Holdings, in a move likely to lead to the breakup of the diversified investment group.

NZX-listed company Veritas has been given another extension to sell or close down the unprofitable grocery chain.

NZ shares dropped, led by Chorus and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare on continued concerns about US President Trump, while Heartland Bank and Air NZ rose.

Australian automotive parts company Bapcor is already considering buying more Kiwi businesses as it closes in on Hellaby.

ASX-listed auto firm Bapcor edged closer to its takeover of Hellaby Holdings, lifting its holding to just below the 90 percent level.

Wall Street was mixed, even as the Dow hit a fresh record high.

Wall Street rose, pushing the Dow Jones Industrial Average above 20,000 for the first time.

Passenger revenue in the first six months of Air New Zealand's financial year has fallen sharply.

Wall Street rose amid better-than-expected corporate earnings including from DuPont.

Abano Healthcare has used Healthcare Partners Holdings' interim dividend to offset the cost of a partial takeover.

The receivers of Pumpkin Patch will have all stores closed by mid-February after they couldn't entice a buyer.

Wall Street declined as investors geared up for a speech by Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen later in the day.

US Treasuries declined while Wall Street was mixed as investors awaited a speech by US Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen.

The US dollar fell after President-elect Donald Trump said the currency was "too strong".

New Zealand shares dipped, led lower by Air New Zealand and Vector, with Arvida Group and Tegel Group Holdings rising.

New Zealand shares rose, with A2 Milk Co and high-yielding stocks such as Contact Energy and Genesis Energy gaining.

The independent directors of Hellaby Holdings now support a takeover bid by Bapcor after the offer was declared unconditional.

New Zealand shares fell, led lower by global markets, with ANZ Banking Group and A2 Milk Co down while Vital Healthcare Property Trust gained.

Pushpay says it is on track to reach its ACMR target of US$72 million and breakeven on a monthly cashflow basis by the end of calendar 2017.

Augusta Capital has dropped its High Court proceedings seeking orders requiring listed property investor NPT to call a meeting of shareholders.

Bapcor now owns more than half of Hellaby Holdings, and will waive its 90 per cent condition on its takeover offer.

New Zealand shares rose, led by Contact Energy and Mainfreight which hit a record, while Arvida Group and ANZ fell.

New Zealand shares were mixed with institutional traders still on holiday.

NZ shares were mixed in holiday trading with yield stocks

Wall Street and the US dollar advanced as better-than-expected manufacturing data underpinned optimism.

COMMENT: Stay defensive and play most things with a straight bat, quietly accumulate returns, and pick off decent opportunities when you see them.

Stock market operator NZX is "assessing" Plexure's recent trading after the stock soared 26 per cent a day ahead of an announcement.

New Zealand shares were mixed on the last trading day of the year, with the benchmark index ending 9 percent higher than on January 1.

ASX-listed auto-parts company Bapcor is creeping closer to control of Hellaby Holdings, building a 47.5 per cent stake according to its latest disclosure this morning.

Pumpkin Patch owes $59.5 million to its bank and at least $6.6m to other creditors, receivers KordaMentha said.