Insurance Australia Group has agreed to buy the New Zealand and Australian underwriting businesses of Wesfarmers for A$1.85 billion, to bolster its position in the two markets. IAG would acquire Wesfarmers’ WFI and Lumley Insurance brands as well as a 10-year distribution agreement with Coles, it said in a statement today. The insurer will fund the transaction via a fully-underwritten …

The New Zealand dollar may have a volatile ride this week with a slew of pre-Christmas announcements including what could be the start to tapering by the Federal Reserve on Thursday and reports on the nation’s economic growth. The local currency may trade between 80.50 US cents and 84.50 cents this week, according to a BusinessDesk survey of 10 traders …

Any gap in quality between the 'big four' four audit firms and their smaller rivals is perception rather than reality, according to the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants, which says the industry is in line with international experience operating under a new regulatory regime. The Financial Markets Authority's first audit The and they salon generic viagra you apply the …