The New Zealand dollar fell after figures showed business confidence sank to a six-year low this month, stoking speculation the Reserve Bank will be prepared to make deeper cuts to interest rates to revive an economy showing little sign of accelerating inflation. The kiwi fell to 64.21 US cents as at 5pm, in Wellington, from 64.53 cents at the New York close on …

Allied Farmers posted an 88 percent drop in annual profit after an overhaul of the business increased the firm’s tax bill, and as its profitable livestock unit was held back by the slowing dairy sector. Net profit attributable to shareholders dropped to $128,000, or 0.12 cents per share, in the 12 months ended June 30, from $1.02 million, or 1.03 …

Landcorp Farming, which is taking on debt to convert former forestry land into dairy farms, won’t pay a dividend this year, highlighting the friction between the state-owned farmer’s long-term strategy and the government’s demand for regular payments in preference to investment. New Zealand’s largest corporate farmer posted an 84 percent decline in annual profit to $4.9 million, in line with its forecast of $1 million …