Nobody has blinked yet in the US budget standoff and lawmakers seem further from rather than closer to reaching an accord, bolstering concern about another political hot potato-the need to raise the federal government’s debt ceiling to avoid default. The partial shutdown of the government as a result of the budget stalemate is now headed into its second week. A …

Z Energy is on track to beat its pre-float prospectus earnings forecasts and is rated a “buy” up to $4.21 a share, says Deutsche Bank, a lead manager in the mid-August Z listing whose research is now public after a statutory “black-out” period. Z shares closed yesterday at $3.81, compared with the issue price at listing on Aug 19 of …