New Zealand computer system design companies pay more than twice the average wage and have recorded faster growth in pay that the rest of the economy, yet increasingly they’re reporting severe difficulties attracting workers. That’s one of the findings of the government’s information and communications technology sector report, released today. The percentage of computer system design firms reporting that it …

As US corporate earnings season accelerates this week, Citigroup has posted a 42 percent surge in quarterly profit, setting the stage for stocks to extend their year-to-date rally even amid mixed economic data. Shares of Citigroup gained, last up 2.1 percent, after the company reported quarterly earnings that exceeded expectations as revenue on stock trading jumped. In late afternoon trading …

New Zealand shares rose, pushing up the NZX 50 Index for an eighth straight session, led by A2 Corp, Telecom, Port of Tauranga and Fletcher Building as investors mulled what is expected to be mixed results in earnings season. The NZX 50 rose 37.907 points, or 0.8 percent, to 4606.24. Within the index, 34 stocks rose, seven fell and nine …