The New Zealand dollar gained ahead of US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Benanke’s congressional testimony as speculative investors pare back their bets on the greenback, and was bolstered by Reserve Bank of Australia minutes talking down that nation’s inflation outlook. A strong gain in local dairy prices rounded out a bullish start for the currency. The kiwi rose to 78.97 …

Rakon’s founding Robinson family, which has the biggest stake in the company and three seats at the board, bought almost 367,000 shares in the ailing GPS components maker last week for about $81,500. The two on-market purchases on July 9 and 11 were at an average price of 22.2 cents per share, and came after the Auckland-based firm said it’s …

Wall Street retreated from record highs as investors were disappointed with corporate earnings such as from Coca-Cola and awaited Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s testimonial before Congress, beginning tomorrow. Shares of Coca-Cola dropped, last down 1.8 percent, after the company said quarterly profit sagged 4 percent. “Our second-quarter volume results came in below our expectations, reflecting an ongoing challenging global …