Dene Mackenzie

Rising immigration has no implication for OCR

Rising immigration has no implication for OCR

New Zealand's net immigration reached another high in March but contained no implications for the Reserve Bank's official cash rate, ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley said yesterday.

More catastrophe claim costs hit Tower earnings

General insurer facing large bill from catastrophe claims. New Zealand Defence Force personnel pictured preparing for floodwaters in wake of the cyclone. Photo: Reuters.

More catastrophe claim costs hit Tower earnings

The financial year continued to worsen for Tower as more catastrophe claim costs hit earnings, this year from storms associated with ex-cyclone Debbie, research firm Morningstar says.

Little time for spending package to be agreed

Little time for spending package to be agreed

The United States Congress returns from a two-week recess today, and politicians will need to agree to reach agreement on a spending package to prevent a government shut-down by the end of the week.

Immigration still a focus

Politicians will get another chance tomorrow to focus on New Zealand's immigration figures.

Still 'tuned in' despite being left out of health

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse says he is happy to retain his existing portfolios, despite being widely picked to become health minister in the Cabinet reshuffle announced yesterday.

English reshuffles, safely

Prime Minister Bill English stayed true to his conservative roots by keeping his Cabinet reshuffle yesterday to the minimum needed to replace two retiring ministers.

Pressures to pay staff better now

Pressures to pay staff better now

Employers will eventually need to ''bite the bullet'' and start paying more to their staff following the higher-than-expected inflation, BNZ chief economist Tony Alexander says.

Raining cash for Mercury

Mercury's third-quarter operating statistics demonstrate the company continues to turn water into cash, Forsyth Barr broker Damian Foster says.

Rural real estate sales up 14.4%

Rural real estate sales up 14.4%

Good autumn conditions appear to be helping the rural real estate market, sales having increased 14.4% in the three months to March compared with the previous corresponding period (pcp).

DHB aged-care focus shifting

Health boards have becoming increasingly tougher on assessing residents for aged-care funding and have a preference to fund home-care services, Forsyth Barr broker Lyn Howe says.

Wage rises throw up challenges for aged-care sector

Wage rises throw up challenges for aged-care sector

The equal pay increase approved by the Government this week is an aged-care sector-wide issue with significant ramifications given the potential pressure on operating costs for a sector battling to generate a satisfactory return.

Union picket puzzles KFC chief

KFC in Great King St North, where today's strike is planned. PHOTO: Gerard O'Brien

Union picket puzzles KFC chief

Restaurant Brands chief executive Russel Creedy has expressed disappointment a strike outside several KFC outlets is going ahead today.

Z Energy on target for upper end

Z Energy appeared to be on track to achieve earnings near the top end of its latest guidance, Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms said yesterday.

Analysts surprised by jump in inflation

New Zealand's strong inflation level of 2.2% in the year ended March caught all pundits off guard, although without volatile food, petrol and energy prices, the annual rate would have been lower at...

Infratil favourably positioned, analyst says

Infratil sold its 20% stake in Metlifecare for $238million, pocketing a tidy profit of about $90million and collecting dividends along the way, Morningstar analyst Adrian Aitkins said.

Inflation of 2.1% tipped

Annual inflation is expected to have risen sharply in the year ended March to 2.1%, above the Reserve Bank's target mid-point of 2%, the ASB is forecasting.

Connections still falling for Chorus

Connections still falling for Chorus

Chorus has reported more falls in connection numbers as both wireless broadband and migrations to competing fibre continue to hurt its connection base.

Otago housing records reached

Otago ticked off several real estate milestones in March, as the median price reached a record, sales rose 29% compared to February and the number of days to sell improved by seven days.

Easter trading confusion

Retailers and their employees are facing confusion and some difficulties as some of them prepare for Easter Sunday trading for the first time.

Spending down in March

Retail spending fell for a second month in March, dragged lower by reduced spending on fuel and durable items, Statistics New Zealand figures released yesterday showed.

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Dene Mackenzie