The New Zealand dollar touched a new five-year high against the Australian dollar after Reserve Bank of Australia governor Glenn Stevens talked down the value of his currency on the same day the New Zealand central bank said local rates were heading higher. The kiwi touched 92.46 Australian cents early this morning, and was trading at 92.23 cents at 8am …

Wall Street continued its slide even after American retail sales rose more than expected as the data fuelled talk that the US Federal Reserve will soon begin to taper its monthly bond-buying programme. Just days away from the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Dec. 17 and 18, US consumers appear more confident than forecast. Retail sales climbed 0.7 …

New Zealand shares were mixed as network operator Chorus extended its rebound from a record low and clothing chain Hallenstein Glasson Holdings said it may have to cut guidance. The NZX 50 rose 3.894 points, or 0.1 percent, to 4708.198. Within the index, 16 stocks rose, 23 fell and 11 were unchanged. Turnover was $168 million. Chorus rose 3 percent …