Dene Mackenzie

Floating mortgage rates fell yesterday and the New Zealand dollar rose in value as markets remained confused about the Reserve Bank's true intentions of future monetary policy.

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders are looking at potential opportunities in the small to medium-enterprise market as a way of growing their market share, a report out this morning says.

A squeeze on margins in all areas of the motor vehicle industry is making an already competitive sector even more so, a report out this morning says.

The Government's financial accounts remain a lottery.

Retail prices are unlikely to rise other than modestly, as factors beyond the control of both shoppers and retailers combine in an unusual set of circumstances.

The Government will deliver tax cuts in the next financial year by slicing $450 million off ACC levies in 2016-17.

The bountiful New Zealand wholesale trade figures released yesterday are another indication of economic growth without inflation, which may leave the Reserve Bank with no option but to cut interest rates.

A Dunedin man has been left owing nearly $250,000 after Inland Revenue put his company into liquidation on October 21.

The Standard & Poor's 500 suffered its biggest drop since late September as the European Central Bank disappointed market hopes for greater stimulus.

The Otago Chamber of Commerce would put a frustrating year behind it and the newly-elected board would focus on an agenda of growth and development, chamber president Ali Copeman said yesterday.

Hellaby Holdings has released a substantial earnings downgrade, warning the financial results for the six months to December are likely to be well below those for the previous corresponding period.