Ebos Group, the healthcare and animal care products company, has agreed to buy Zuellig Group’s Australian pharmaceutical wholesaler and distributor, Symbion, in a $1.1 billion deal which will more than triple its annual revenues and make it a major player across Australasia. The Christchurch-based company will pay $367 million in cash and $498 million in scrip, while taking on $230 …

The New Zealand dollar may rise on expectations Fonterra, the nation’s largest exporter, will raise its forecast payout to farmers. The kiwi was little changed at 80.82 US cents, from 80.81 cents at 5pm yesterday. The trade-weighted index edged up to 76.55 from 76.38 yesterday. Fonterra, which is the world’s largest dairy exporter, is expected to announce its payout for …

Equities on both sides of the Atlantic advanced after the latest reports on US consumer confidence and house prices bolstered optimism the American recovery is on track. The Conference Board’s sentiment index climbed to 76.2 in May, the highest since February 2008. Separately, the S&P/Case-Shiller index of property values in 20 cities gained 10.9 percent in the year to March, …