The New Zealand dollar weakened as signs of improvement in the US economy point to the Federal Reserve reducing its monetary stimulus, bolstering the greenback. The kiwi slipped to 78.74 US cents at 8am in Wellington, from 79.65 at 5pm yesterday. The trade-weighted index fell to 75 from 75.54. The US dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket …

Guinness Peat Group, the New Zealand investment group winding down its portfolio, said the UK regulator has extended its investigation into the company’s pension schemes. The UK Pensions Regulator is extending its investigation into GPG’s Coats Pension Plan and its Brunel Holdings Pensions Scheme to also cover the Staveley Industries Retirement Benefits Scheme, GPG said in a statement. The company …

Wall Street climbed to fresh records amid central bank promises for ongoing stimulus and better-than-expected economic data from the US and abroad. A day after US Federal Reserve policy makers said they plan to maintain their asset purchases to help propel the pace of economic recovery, their counterparts at the European Central Bank said they too will hold to their …