World markets fell overnight, pulled down by poor economic news and the surprise announcement that the International Energy Agency would release oil from strategic reserves.

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.

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.

A Treasury forecast of a plunging kiwi dollar should mean a surge in the New Zealand primary sector, says a new MAF report.