Pumpkin Patch, which slashed its earnings forecast earlier this year, will take a $12 million charge to write down the value of stores and IT software, while posting underlying profit in line with guidance. The children’s clothing chain said a provision for the write down of IT software and store assets will be reflected in its 2014 results, taking total reorganisation costs …

The New Zealand dollar slipped as the US dollar edged up following better-than-expected US economic data which lifted optimism about a recovery in the world’s largest economy. The kiwi weakened to 83.82 US cents at 8am in Wellington, from 83.91 cents at 5pm yesterday. The trade-weighted index was at 79.01 from 79.06 yesterday. The US dollar index, which measures the greenback against …

Stocks fell, while US Treasuries rose, as concern about intensifying tension in Ukraine outweighed further evidence that the American economy is gathering strength. In late afternoon trading in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.21 percent, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index slipped 0.11 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index gave up 0.18 percent. Declines in shares of …