Scott Technology, the industrial automation firm, says a global mining slowdown and a high New Zealand dollar are squeezing its margins in the short term. The strong kiwi dollar has been an ongoing battle for the company that gets 37 percent of sales in North America and just 13 percent in its home market. Dunedin-based Scott cited the currency’s strength …

Goodman Fielder, Australasia’s largest food company, says the rebound predicted for the second half won’t be enough to lift full-year earnings as it grapples with soaring milk prices and rivalry in baking goods. The shares dropped 7.4 percent. Normalised earnings before interest and tax in 2014 will be “broadly in line” with the previous year’s A$185.6 million, assuming no change …

Campaigners against the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade negotiations want the negotiating texts made public to help ensure the process fails, says Trade Minister Tim Groser. “Those people who are opposed to the agreement want access to the texts so they can blow it apart,” he said in an interview with BusinessDesk ahead of a speech today to the ABAC Business Leaders …