Christchurch International Airport’s proposed prices over the next two decades are significantly higher than the Commerce Commissions’ view of what’s acceptable, and tougher disclosure requirements have had little impact on promoting price efficiency, the regulator says. The airport is targeting a return of 8.9 percent over the next 20 years, well above the commission’s view of an acceptable return of …

The New Zealand dollar advanced as concern US politicians have yet to reach agreement before this week’s deadline for raising the nation’s debt limit, risking default, weighed on the greenback. The kiwi rose to 83.67 US cents at 8am in Wellington from 83.31 cents at the 5pm market close yesterday. The trade-weighted index gained to 77.64 from 77.34 yesterday. The …

Optimism that US lawmakers might be nearer to breaking their impasse over increasing the debt ceiling and re-opening the federal government is lifting investor sentiment. The top-ranking Democrat in the Senate has reportedly put a new proposal to his Republican counterpart and the two will meet with President Barack Obama on Monday afternoon in Washington to see if there’s a …