The New Zealand dollar followed its trans-Tasman counterpart lower after weaker than expected Australian economic data weighed on the outlook for the two, and as investors continued to back the greenback. The kiwi fell to 77.71 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 77.91 cents at 8am, down 78.76 cents yesterday. The currency was little changed at 92.56 Australian cents from 92.53 cents …

New Zealand new vehicle sales reached their highest ever for November with 2014 expected to be a record year as a buoyant local economy and cheaper prices underpin demand. Registrations for new vehicles rose 7.6 percent to 11,176 in November from the previous record for the month in 2013, the Lower Hutt-based Motor Industry Association said in a statement. New vehicle …

Equities on Wall Street gained, along with the US dollar, amid optimism the American economy remains on firm footing after a report showed spending on construction is outpacing forecasts. In afternoon trading in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.51 percent, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index gained 0.54 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index added 0.41 percent. …