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Wall Street is little changed to start the week, with the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index on track to close its best year since 1997. The S&P 500 has gained 32 percent in 2013, bolstered by US Federal Reserve stimulus measures that have stoked the world’s largest economy to a level where some of that monetary help can be removed. …

New Zealand shares were mixed in subdued holiday trading, with Diligent Board Member Services leading gainers and Michael Hill International recording the biggest decline. Traders said the local market may enjoy a third year of gains in 2014. The NZX 50 Index rose 1.620 points, or 0.03 percent, to 4768.98. Within the index, 25 stocks rose, 15 fell and ten …

The New Zealand dollar is drifting lower in quiet holiday trading as investors bet the greenback is set to advance next year as the Federal Reserve pulls back on its monetary stimulus. The kiwi slipped to 81.32 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 81.55 cents at 8am. The trade-weighted index weakened to 77 from 77.18 this morning. Investors will …

New Zealand’s iron sand exports could soar to almost 10 million tonnes a year by 2016, as Australia’s BlueScope Steel adds shipping capacity at its Taharoa site and Trans-Tasman Resources remains hopeful of approval for its offshore mining venture. ASX-listed BlueScope said last week it will introduce a 175,000 tonne slurry loading vessel at Taharoa, south of Kawhia, in 2016 …

The New Zealand dollar was mixed against major currencies as it suffered from low liquidity and a lack of new data during the holiday period. The kiwi was little changed at 81.55 US cents at 8am in Wellington, from 81.45 cents at the New York close and 81.56 cents at 5pm in Wellington Friday. “It is the holiday season and …

After Santa brought further gains to Wall Street last week, pushing both the Dow and S&P 500 to record highs, investors will eye a speech by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke for further clues about the central bank’s plans for tapering its stimulus. Bernanke, who is set to discuss the changing Fed in Philadelphia on Friday, might offer additional guidance …

New Zealand shares fell in subdued holiday trading, putting the NZX 50 Index on route to a `17 percent annual gain. Xero, the best performer on the index, Fletcher Building and Telecom all declined, offsetting gains among mid-caps such as Hallenstein Glasson Holdings. The NZX 50 fell 0.575 points, or 0.01 percent, to 4767.360. Within the index, 13 stocks fell, …

The New Zealand dollar weakened as the greenback is supported by an improving outlook for the US economy. The kiwi slipped to 81.52 US cents at 8am from 81.62 cents at 5pm yesterday. The yield on US 10-year Treasuries is edging higher, to reach around 3 percent, near the two-year peak of 3.007 percent hit in September. US bond yields …

New Zealand stocks rose on Christmas Eve, pushing the NZX 50 Index to a three-week high, as the outlook for the construction industry helped lift Fletcher Building and Warehouse Group led some retailers higher in the peak spending season. The NZX 50 rose 45.30 points, or about 1 percent, to 4767.935 in the shortened pre-Christmas session. Within the index, 35 …

The general election in New Zealand next year is starting to weigh on the nation’s equity market and is also likely to weaken business confidence and the exchange rate, brokerage First NZ Capital said. The election, to be held between September and November 2014, is expected to be an extremely close result between a National-led government and a Labour/Green coalition, …