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 …

Pumpkin Patch, the children’s clothing chain, said full-year profit may drop as much as 35 percent in the face of intense competition in Australia, becoming the second local retailer this month to cite tough times across the Tasman. The shares tumbled to a 16-month low. Profit after tax, excluding reorganisation costs, is expected to be $7.5 million to $9 million …