New Zealand business confidence fell this month, while holding at reasonably upbeat levels, continuing a monthly see-saw in the sentiment in an economy that’s only recording tepid growth. A net 23 percent of respondents in the ANZ Bank Business Outlook expect general business conditions to improve in the year ahead, down from 26 percent in the previous month’s survey. Those …

State-owned Meridian Energy sold its Energy for Industry subsidiary to Central Otago-based Pioneer Generation in a transaction worth more than $50 million. Energy for Industry, which was established in 2000, provides energy management services to companies, according to its website. The sale is part of Meridian’s plan to divest non-core subsidiaries, it said. Meridian is one of the state-owned power …

Rakon, which makes crystal oscillators used in mobile phones and navigation systems, cut its full-year earnings guidance because of sales delays and thinner margins. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation would be $8 million to $12 million in the year ending March 31, down from its August guidance of $14 million to $16 million. The downgrade is “due to …