Trade analysts and stakeholders in Auckland for the TPP talks have told newzealandinc.com not to expect any progress on “sensitive” issues – including agricultural access – during this the 15th round of negotiations. It’s all “too hard”; “too early” – which doesn’t really cut it if this deal is to be in sufficient shape for final-decision making by political players …

The New Zealand dollar rose against most of its trading peers after weaker economic data in the euro zone and glimmers of hope in stalled Washington talks over the fiscal cliff, which helped lift equities. The kiwi dollar rose to 82.55 US cents from 82.48 cents at 5pm in Wellington yesterday. The trade-weighted index rose to 73.66 from 73.52. The …

Citigroup chief executive Michael Corbat has wasted little time in cost cutting since taking over the helm of America’s third-largest bank from Vikram Pandit in October. The New York-based firm has announced plans to eliminate 11,000 jobs worldwide, about 4 percent of its workforce, and will take a US$1 billion charge in the fourth quarter. Investors cheered the news, sending …