New Zealand recorded a bigger-than-expected trade surplus in March, as exports fell less than forecast. Statistics New Zealand said the trade surplus was $631 million in March, bigger than the $341 million expected in a Reuters poll of economists and compared with a February surplus of $83 million. Excluding the re-export of a drilling platform to Singapore, last month’s trade …

Genesis Energy, New Zealand’s largest energy retailer, cut its forecast for annual earnings after losing electricity and gas customers amid increased competition and as wholesale electricity prices declined. The shares dropped after the announcement. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and other fair value changes will be between $330 million and $345 million in the year ending June 30, the Auckland-based company …

Kirkcaldie & Stains turned to a first-half loss as sales fell and the Wellington department store operator wrote down a deferred tax asset The loss was $501,000 in the six months ended Feb. 28, from a profit of $563,000 a year earlier, the Wellington-based retailer said in a statement. Total revenue fell to $17.5 million from $19.4 million as retail sales declined 0.6 …