US labour data will be the focus of investors desperately trying to get a handle on the likelihood and timing of a Federal Reserve easing back of its bond-buying program, after a week of comments by central bank officials failed to provide further clarity. While last week’s slew of speeches helped stem the steep slide of both equity and bond …

The government looks set to receive a windfall whopper dividend from Meridian Energy following the sale of its 50 percent stake in the A$1 billion Macarthur wind farm in Victoria. The sale, which valued state-owned Meridian’s holding at A$659 million, comes right on balance date for what is likely to be Meridian’s last financial year under 100 percent state ownership, …

Restaurant Brands, New Zealand’s largest fast food operator by sales, is betting on new brands such as burger chain Carl’s Jr to drive future earnings growth in the nation’s $2 billion fast food market and remains keen on adding new offerings such as Taco Bell. The company opened its first two Carl’s Jr stores targeting “hungry young guys” last financial …