New Zealand’s wholesale trade grew for a third quarter in the final three months of 2014, with increased activity for apparel, pharmaceuticals and furniture leading the expansion. Seasonally adjusted sales rose 0.3 percent in the three months ended Dec. 31, slowing from the 0.6 percent pace in September, and rounding out a third quarter of growth, according to Statistics New …

Fulton Hogan, the privately held construction firm, says first-half pre-tax earnings dropped 10 percent as Australia’s economic woes kept a lid on spending in the resources and state sectors, while the strong kiwi dollar eroded profit earned across the Tasman. Pre-tax net profit fell to $83.4 million in the six months ended Dec. 31 from $92.8 million a year earlier, the …

Warehouse Group lowered its forecasts for annual profit and dividends after New Zealand’s largest listed retailer posted weaker first-half earnings as its Red Sheds and Noel Leeming units missed expectations. Full-year adjusted net profit, which excludes one-time items and is the basis for dividend payments, will be between $52 million and $56 million, down from $60.7 million a year earlier, …