New Zealand shares fell, paced by Spark New Zealand, as offshore investors sold yield stocks on the prospect the US Federal Reserve may start hiking rates sooner than anticipated, and increasing the returns on offer in the world’s biggest economy. Energy stocks fell as New Zealand’s general election draws closer. The NZX 50 Index fell 47.445 points, or 0.9 percent, to …

The New Zealand dollar pared gains as investors refrained from taking any new positions ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s policy review, and after government figures showed the current account deficit narrowed in the year to June 30. The kiwi traded at 81.83 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 81.97 cents at 8am, up from 81.61 cents yesterday. The trade weighted …

Tait Communications, the Christchurch-based radio communications firm, has bought its long-time Brazilian partner SGM Telecomunicacoes for an undisclosed sum as it looks to beef up its presence in the rapidly growing Latin American economy. Sao Paulo-based SGM, which Tait told BusinessDesk has multi-million dollar annual revenues and a staff of 30, will be rebranded as Tait Communications, and become the …