Dene Mackenzie

Financial markets are expected this week to show continued enthusiasm for the latest round of drastic austerity measures approved yesterday by Greek lawmakers.

Listed logistics firm Freightways yesterday reported a six-month profit ahead of market expectations and declared an interim of 8.5c per share, again ahead of expectations.

Finance Minister Bill English is likely to face protests today when the asset sales consultation processes moves south to the Murihiku marae in Invercargill.

The Fear Index is a well-known measure of stock market volatility in the United States, measuring as it does the market perception of how stocks will play out in any given circumstances.

Tackling the definitive biography on the late Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple Inc, was a daunting task given the overwhelming grief that followed his death.

Optimizer HQ, one of New Zealand's fastest-growing technology companies, has made its first strategic purchase soon after listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

The exclusion of Dunedin from the iwi consultation for partial state-owned enterprise share floats has rankled Otago Chamber of Commerce president Peter McIntyre.

BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander is warning against complacency and adopting a cargo-cult mentality in assuming the swelling of China's middle class in the next 15 years will take care of the New Zealand economy.

ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley remains convinced European policy-makers will do enough to avert disorderly financial disruption, but says it may take decades of adjustment to ensure the long-term survival of the euro zone. Business editor DeneMackenzie looks at Mr Tuffley's reasoning.

Falling tax revenue could start to hurt the Government's account in the present financial year as Finance Minister Bill English prepares his 2012 Budget.