ASB Bank, the local unit of Commonwealth Bank of Australia, posted a 7 percent gain in first-half cash profit on increased mortgage and business lending saw growth in interest income outpace operating expenses. Cash profit, which excludes some one-time items, rose to $348 million in the six months ended Dec. 31 from $324 million a year earlier, according to the …

SkyCity Entertainment Group, the casino and hotel company, said first-half profit fell 16 percent on a lower win rate for its international business and year-earlier Rugby World Cup benefits that weren’t repeated. Net profit fell to $66.3 million, or 11.5 cents a share, in the six months ended Dec. 31, from $78.8 million, or 13.7 cents a share, a year …

ASX-listed Raisama Energy has backed out of its 10 percent interest in the Kakapo oil and gas prospect in Taranaki, preferring opportunities in Asia instead. The Perth-based company said it has written to partner NZOG Developments, a subsidiary of New Zealand Oil & Gas, and won’t go ahead with its farm-in agreement on the Taranaki Basin permit, according to a …