The New Zealand dollar slid to its lowest in almost five months against the yen after the Bank of Japan quashed expectations of further stimulus measures which would have debased the Japanese currency. The kiwi dropped to 75.11 yen at about 6am in Wellington, its lowest level since it touched 75.03 yen on Jan. 28. The local currency recently traded …

Equities on Wall Street and in Europe fell as the Bank of Japan’s decision to keep its monetary policy program unchanged disappointed those who had hoped for extra measures and underpinned concern the US Federal Reserve might taper its stimulus. In late afternoon trading in New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 0.5 percent, the Standard & Poor’s 500 …

Westfield NZ Holdings, which owns nine shopping centres in New Zealand worth $2.8 billion, increased its dividend to its Australian owners by about two thirds last year after selling three properties and gaining tax benefits. Westfield paid $97.6 million in dividends in the year ended Dec. 31, 2012, according to the company’s financial statements. That’s an increase of 64 percent …