The New Zealand dollar was little changed in local trading as investors compose themselves after a 5.4 percent slide against the greenback on improving prospects for the US economy. The kiwi traded at 80.81 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 81 cents at 8am and 80.76 cents yesterday. The trade-weighted index was 76.38 from 76.23 yesterday. Markets in New …

Allied Farmers, which kept itself alive in March through a fire sale of toxic loans, may lift the value of its loan book by $274,000 as the Inland Revenue Department threatens to wind up its rural operation to recover unpaid tax. The Hawera-based company’s board, which is finalising its 2013 accounts, “considers it appropriate to advise that indicatively the net …

Pharmacybrands, the retail pharmacy and medical centre owner, lifted annual profit by a third in the latest financial year amid a cost-cutting drive which will see the company trim its range of brands. Net profit rose to $13.3 million, or 10.71 cents per share, in the 12 months ended March 31, from $9.9 million, or 8.72 cents, a year earlier, …