Wall Street rose, as a recovery in the price of oil offered investors confidence to pick up beaten-down stocks.

Concern about low oil prices and China's growth prospects has driven New Zealand's sharemarket lower.

The New Zealand dollar rose as oil prices gained from a 12-year low and Chinese stocks gained in afternoon trading.

World sharemarkets were down overnight as oil prices slumped to the lowest level since 2003.

United States oil futures in New York slid to the lowest in 12 years as turmoil in China's markets pushes crude closer to US$30 ($45) a barrel.

Rokkasho reprocessing complex in a northeast corner of Japan's main island of Honshu is raising speculation.

Iran will raise its oil exports by 500,000 barrels a day within a week after the removal of international sanctions.

Oil prices rose on the last day of the year but fell as much as 35 per cent for 2015 after a race to pump by Middle East crude producers.

Oil is headed for its biggest two-year loss on record as an expansion in U.S. crude stockpiles exacerbated a global glut.

Looking back at economies impacted from major world events in 2015.

For an industry that already was pushing its cost-cutting efforts to the limits, the new declines are a devastating blow.

The price of petrol is falling, aided and abetted by a regional price war, but has it declined far enough, given the slump in oil prices?

Wall Street moved lower with the price of oil amid concern about the global glut at a time of weakening worldwide economic growth.

Wall Street rose after a report showed the US economy expanded more than expected in the third quarter thanks to consumer spending, and as oil rebounded.

All eyes will be on the NZ stockmarket as it opens this morning after global equity markets fell amid slumping oil prices.

The petrol pump war has moved up a gear with Z petrol stations entering the fray and slashing prices.

Fuel company Z says it has built New Zealand's first commercial-scale biodiesel plant, at Wiri, for $26 million.

Kiwis planning to fill up their petrol tanks for summer road trips can save up to 20 cents a litre off their fuel today.

Investors can't ignore so-called Black Swan scenarios following a year that surprised the world with record refugee flows and brutal terror attacks.

Days after signing the Paris Climate Agreement, New Zealand has granted more permits for oil and gas exploration

Mike Bennetts has driven Z Energy since its inception and this year has been a particularly strong one for shareholders.

Petrol prices have fallen for the third time in less than a week, but won't drop further before Christmas.

Sharply lower oil prices have put more downward pressure New Zealand petrol and diesel prices, but further falls are not expected to occur.

For Berliner Anke Seemann, Germany's energy transformation is the chance to exercise her green conscience.