New Zealand’s trade deficit was smaller than expected in July as exports of fruit and meat drove overseas sales higher, and offset flat dairy export receipts. The trade deficit narrowed to $649 million in July from $943 million a year earlier, and was smaller than the $755 million shortfall predicted in a Reuters poll of economists. Exports climbed 14 percent …

Air New Zealand chief executive Christopher Luxon says the national carrier’s record result stacks up against any airline in the world, and was underpinned by strong demand, cost efficiencies and cheaper fuel. Net profit rose to $327 million in the 12 months ending June 30, from $263 million a year earlier, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. The result included …

SkyCity Entertainment Group may raise more capital selling notes in the US private placement market after completing the sale of as much as $125 million of seven-year bonds next month that it plans to use to repay bank debt. Standard & Poor’s today assigned a BBB- rating to the casino operator’s bond sale, which is to open on Sept. 3 and close on Sept. 22. That matches …

The Icehouse will tack another medal onto an already-decorated body of work this week: Adherium will become the first of the incubator’s alumni to cross the listing threshold. A digital health technology company whose focus is to addresss the sub-optimal medication use in chronic disease, Adherium is now listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). On top of that, the …

Today’s news rings positive following several weeks of doom and gloom. This starting with the announcement that dairy product prices have increased for the first time in six months with the average winning GDT price climbing 14.8 per cent to $1,974USD. The word this morning was that the New Zealand dollar has remained steady as dairy prices bounce back as …

Dairy product prices jumped in the latest GlobalDairyTrade auction, rising for the first time in nearly six months on reduced volume of whole milk powder on offer. The GDT average winning prices climbed 14.8 percent to US$1,974, up from US$1,815 at the previous auction two weeks ago. It was the first increase since the March 3 auction. Some 36,904 tonnes …

The New Zealand dollar was little changed after dairy product prices jumped as expected at auction overnight, as the bounce had already been priced into the local currency. The kiwi was at 65.84 US cents at 8am in Wellington, from 65.89 cents at 5pm yesterday. The trade-weighted index edged lower to 70.96 from 71.04 yesterday. Dairy product prices jumped in …

Milk processor Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company is calling for a full and independent review of the way milk pricing is set following concerns that inefficient milk supply and capital investments could be made under the current model. In its submission to the Commerce Commission’s government-ordered review of the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act (DIRA), the Waikato-based cooperative said it would expect any …

Farm prices have been holding relatively steady in the latest Real Estate Institute of New Zealand rural data despite fears lower dairy prices would force down land values. There’s only been a small drop in the median sales price per hectare for dairy farms to $35,304 for the three months ended July 31, compared to $35,531 in the three months ended …

Fletcher Building posted a 20 percent decline in full-year profit after taking $150 million of one-time charges for plant closures and impairments. Pretax earnings rose in line with guidance, driven by a strong New Zealand performance. Profit fell to $270 million in the year ended June 30, from $339 million a year earlier, the Auckland-based company said in a statement. Sales …