Dene Mackenzie

The release this morning of NZIER's Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion is likely to be the domestic talking point of the week, BNZ head of research Stephen Toplis said yesterday.

Mobile phone and internet company 2Degrees is starting to make its presence felt in the New Zealand market, although its market share has remained static for the 12 months ended December.

Employement confidence remains strong in the South Island although New Zealand workers in general have become a bit less optimistic about the state of the labour market.

Clothing retailer Hallenstein Glasson has reported a higher interim profit for the six months ended February 1 and says its first few weeks of winter season trading has been encouraging.

Business and property groups welcome a report released yesterday recommending replacing the Resource Management Act.

Avid followers of government Budgets may notice a slight difference in style on May 25 when Finance Minister Steven Joyce presents his Budget 2017.

The pressure on New Zealand's tourism infrastructure needs careful managing to maintain the unique experience visitors are seeking, Otago Chamber of Commerce chief executive Dougal McGowan says.

Otago's regional economic confidence took a large hit in the three months ended March, in contrast to confidence in Southland, which has become the country's most optimistic region.

Kiwi Property Group receiving as few NPT securities as possible as part of the proposed strategic partnership, was Morningstar's preferred option, analyst Tony Sherlock said yesterday.

United States sharemarkets fell overnight, putting the Dow Jones Industrial Average on track for its longest losing streak since 2011.

Overseas events will dominate markets this week as British Prime Minister Theresa May triggers Brexit and United States markets react to President Donald Trump's defeat on repealing Obamacare.

New Zealand's tourism infrastructure will remain stretched it seems after the Government yesterday announced 2019 will be the China-New Zealand year of tourism.

The China free trade agreements (FTA) upgrade talks will begin on April 25, giving exporters hope of increased trade following the withdrawal of the United States from the TPP.

Several New Zealand food, beverages and agricultural (FBA) stocks are successfully achieving price premiums in local and global markets for their products.

Volatile commodity prices hid a solid performance from dairy company Fonterra when it reported its first-half profit last week, Forsyth Barr broker Lyn Howe said.

The prospect of chilled beef access in China presents a key opportunity for New Zealand exporters to gain a foothold in the higher-value segment of the market, Westpac economist Sarah Drought says.

The Reserve Bank kept its official cash rate unchanged at 1.75% yesterday, and economists are forecasting no rise before at least May next year, probably later.

Dairy company Fonterra announced a mixed first-half result yesterday as the strong consumer and food service result was offset by a weak ingredients business performance.