New Zealand

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 …

The Commerce Commission has filed court proceedings against PGG Wrightson, Elders New Zealand and five individuals it claims fixed fees charged during the introduction of a national livestock tagging scheme. The regulator is in discussions with a third company, Rural Livestock. The commission alleges the companies and individuals breached the Commerce Act by establishing three pricing agreements prior to the NAIT Act coming into force …

The New Zealand dollar is expected to decline this week, weighed down by further weakness in the country’s key dairy industry and by a strengthening US dollar. A BusinessDesk survey of 10 currency analysts puts a possible trading range for the kiwi at between 64.50 US cents and 67.50 cents this week. Six expect a decline while four say it may remain largely …

By Jonathan Underhill July 31 (BusinessDesk) – Blis Technologies, the NZX-listed biotech company, said sales will rise as much as 75 percent, helped by demand in Europe, North America and in New Zealand. Sales in the year ending March 31, 2016, are expected to “comfortably exceed $4.5 million,” chief executive Barry Richardson told shareholders at their annual meeting. Blis would likely report  “a …

Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler says some market commentators are predicting further declines in interest rates that would only make sense for an economy in recession, although some easing is likely to be needed to maintain New Zealand’s economic growth. Wheeler gave a balanced view of the economy in a speech to an ExportNZ/Tauranga Chamber of Commerce meeting. While repeating …

The New Zealand dollar rose ahead of a speech by Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler, on speculation he may soften his language about an easing bias, and after stocks rebounded and commodities gained. The kiwi dollar rose to 66.77 US cents as at 8am in Wellington, having earlier gained to as high as 67.08 cents, from 66.61 cents late yesterday. The trade-weighted index rose to …