The New Zealand dollar rose to a week high against its Australian counterpart as the outlook for the local economy continues to outperform that of its closest neighbour. The kiwi jumped as high as 86.23 Australian cents, and recently traded at 86.14 cents from 85.69 cents at the 5pm market close in Wellington yesterday. The New Zealand dollar edged up …

Wall Street rose to a record after better-than-expected economic data and corporate earnings fuelled investors’ optimism the US economy is gathering steam as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke reiterated the central bank’s ongoing support for growth. Bernanke testified before Congress for a second day, now to the Senate Banking Committee. He has finally managed to reassure investors that the Fed’s …

Surging prices for Auckland and Christchurch real estate do not constitute a housing market bubble because bank lending volumes have been plummeting for the last two months, says the executive director of the New Zealand Bankers Association, Kirk Hope. Political debate has raged this week over the impact on first home buyers if the Reserve Bank of New Zealand imposes …