New Zealand shares fell as a brokerage put a sell rating on Fonterra Shareholders’ Fund ahead of what’s expected to be a hike to its forecast milk payment tomorrow. Wynyard Group, Xero and Diligent Board Member Services rose. The NZX 50 fell 11.8 points, or 0.3 percent, to 4706.506. Within the index, 25 stocks fell, 17 gained and eight were …

The New Zealand may gain with more Chinese economic data coming later today and amid expectations Fonterra Cooperative Group will announce a hike in its forecast payout to farmers tomorrow. The kiwi traded at 82.90 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 82.70 cents at 8am and 82.91 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index was 77.78 from 77.83 yesterday. Traders are …

The Financial Markets Authority says there's a big difference in quality between audit reports by the 'big four' accounting firms and their lower tier rivals, who will need to step up their game significantly to meet regulations overseeing the sector. The market watchdog's first audit quality review report since the regulations came into play last year found “the majority of …