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NZ dollar firm as focus turns to Australian CPI data

The New Zealand dollar is firmer ahead of Australian inflation data and after the Bank of Japan came out with an open-ended stimulus programme. The kiwi was at 84.04 US cents at 8am, up from 83.99 cents at 5pm yesterday. It fell to 74.51 yen, from 75.17 yen at 5.20pm on Tuesday after the Bank of Japan disclosed monetary policy …

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While you were sleeping US earnings hopes

Wall Street advanced amid optimism that quarterly corporate earnings will continue to surpass modest expectations. Shares of Freeport McMoRan, Travelers Cos and DuPont received a boost from their results that bettered expectations, rising 5.1 percent, 2.8 percent and 1.8 percent respectively. Johnson & Johnson, however, failed to deliver, and shares were last 0.6 percent lower. So far, 73 percent of …

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MARKET CLOSE Late rally as Bank of Japan acts

New Zealand stocks eased slightly until a late rally, in line with cautious sentiment across the Asian region ahead of a crucial Bank of Japan decision to loosen monetary policy, announced just before 5pm local time. The NZX50 Index rose 1.90 points, or 0.45 percent, to 4,187.082. Within the index, 27 stocks rose, 16 fell and seven were unchanged. Turnover …

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NZ dollar up on most currencies as Japan announces stimulus

The New Zealand dollar rose during the local trading day as market-watchers across Asia waited for a crucial Japanese monetary policy decision. That decision came just after 5pm and saw the Bank of Japan announce a doubling in the country’s inflation target to 2 percent and adoption of a US Federal Reserve-style quantitative easing programme of bond-buying. Bloomberg reported the …

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SFO’s Hawkins Construction probe ends without charges

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has walked away from an investigation of Hawkins Construction while claiming there were some “unusual” aspects to contracts in a project for state-owned Transpower. The urgent investigation is now closed with no charges being laid. The SFO raided two offices New Zealand’s largest construction company last year in an investigation of Hawkins’ work on the …

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NZ Super Fund returns nearly 20 percent in 2012

nvestment returns from the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, the country’s main savings vehicle to fund public pension entitlements, came in at 19.17 percent in the 12 months to Dec. 31, the fund’s guardians report. penis growth The monthly update shows the Fund finished the year at a record high value of $20.92 billion, up from $17.73 billion at the end …

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Clifford Bay hots up as issue as investigation gears up

By Pam Graham Marlborough’s mayor is hoping meetings early this year will shed light on why the government is seriously considering a $422 million ferry terminal at Clifford Bay which will knock the economy of Picton. Marlborough District Council Mayor Alistair Sowman says a meeting he has on Thursday with Andrew Robertson, the management consultant running the Clifford Bay project …

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While you were sleeping Germany’s signs of recovery

Equities in Europe advanced as Germany’s central bank said the nation’s economy is showing signs of recovery in the first quarter of the year. “The largely stable labour market and a better outlook for output suggest that the economic weakness won’t last all that long,” according to the Bundesbank in its monthly report released today. The bank forecasts the economy …

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Two Cabinet Ministers sacked in reshuffle; Nick Smith charged with housing troublespot; Nikki Kaye finally in tent

Prime Minister John Key welcomed Nick Smith back into the Cabinet in a reshuffle in which he has also sacked the Labour and Conservation Minister, Kate Wilkinson, and Energy and Housing Minister Phil Heatley. diy solar panels He also relieved Associate Education Minister Craig Foss of his responsibility for the Novopay system for paying teachers, putting that in the hands …

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MARKET CLOSE NZ stocks resume positive tone as earnings season approaches

New Zealand stocks regained their positive tone today, with gentle rises across the board in light trading, affected by Wellington Anniversary Day and subdued global markets owing to the Martin Luther King long weekend in the US. The NZX 50 Index rose 21 points, or 0.5 percent, to 4185.18. Within the index, 31 stocks rose, 11 stocks fell, and eight …

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