The New Zealand dollar held near a two-week high after Chinese manufacturing figures weren’t as bad as investors may have feared, and ahead of the Federal Reserve’s monetary policy where it’s expected to hold firm on its low interest rates and money printing programme. The kiwi traded at 85.73 US cents at 5pm from 85.69 cents at 8am, and 85.63 …

Shares in Kathmandu rose 2.2 percent after the outdoor equipment retailer said it kept its pace of sales growth through the third quarter, without firming up annual earnings guidance. The Christchurch-based retail chain lifted sales 13 percent to $89.7 million in the 13 weeks ended April 28, retaining the momentum in revenue growth from the first half of the financial …

Dorchester Pacific, which avoided failure in 2010 by convincing investors to accept a debt-for-equity swap, has upped its profit guidance, flagged an intention to start paying dividends, and will re-jig its capital structure to help fund future acquisitions. The Auckland-based firm says profit was about $1.6 million in the year ended March 31, having previously said it would be between …