The New Zealand dollar edged up as investors continue to await the outcome of stalled budget talks in the US, as the deadline for lifting the US debt ceiling approaches. The kiwi traded in a 40 basis point range during Northern Hemisphere trading, about half its normal volatility, edging up to 83.02 US cents at 8am in Wellington, from 82.95 …

US stocks held on to earlier gains as minutes from the latest US Federal Reserve meeting showed that most policy makers believe the central bank should start tapering its bond-buying program before the end of the year. Meanwhile, President Barack Obama was set to nominate Janet Yellen, currently vice chairman of the Fed, to succeed Ben Bernanke early next year, …

New Zealand shares extended their decline, led by Pumpkin Patch, Chorus and MightyRiverPower as investors sold shares in preparation for the partial privatisation of Meridian Energy shares and as weak card spending figures weighed on retailers. The NZX 50 Index fell 28.045 points, or 0.6 percent, to 4710.633. Within the index, 33 stocks fell, 12 rose and five were unchanged. …