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Share trading on the NZX jumped by more than a fifth in November, a month that saw the benchmark NZX 50 Index rally to near its highest level in five years, helped by KiwiSaver contributions and offshore demand for higher yields. Total trades on NZX’s cash markets climbed 21 percent to 80,894 last month from a year earlier to $3 …

Synlait Milk’s Chinese and New Zealand shareholders still want to list the company’s shares on the NZX, but there will be no float in the near future, says the Dunsandel milk processor’s chief executive, John Penno. “At some stage, it (a share float) is on the agenda in that both shareholders believe long term it’s the best place to have …

The New Zealand dollar followed its Australian counterpart higher after the Reserve Bank of Australia cut interest rates in line with expectations and soothing fears the world’s 12th biggest economy could be in for a big fall as its mining boom peaks. The kiwi increased to 82.243 US cents at 8am in Wellington from 82.29 cents yesterday, following the Australian …

At the 15th round of negotiations for TPP in Auckland, two new negotiating partners – Canada and Mexico have joined the table. International Business Forum executive director Stephen Jacobi spoke to newzealandinc.com on the significance both nations had for New Zealand if they are brought into any future TPP agreement. Jacobi said Canada as an economy that was close to …

Revenue Minister Peter Dunne has jumped into the multinational tax row saying tax systems around the world are adjusting to corporate giants with huge internet footprints, but very little physical presence. Dunne has requested a report from Inland Revenue into the tax treatment of such companies. “Our tax laws need to evolve and they will. This is a challenge, and it …

GLOBAL MARKETS:  Another quiet session overnight with sentiment mixed and little in the way of key macro events to provide market direction. US fiscal cliff negotiations continue with President Obama rejecting the latest Republican counter-offer of US$800bn in reduced revenues. On the data front, the New York ISM surprised to the upside in November. US equities were a touch weaker ahead …

 US House Speaker John Boehner tabled a plan to avert the fiscal cliff that left out tax increases for the wealthy and was rejected within an hour by the Whitehouse The plan also highlighted divisions among factions of the Republican Party. Boehner’s plan partly entails targeting US$800 billion in revenue over a decade from overhauling the tax code, closing loopholes …

PGG Wrightson and its majority shareholder Agria have signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Administrative Authority for Yangling Agricultural High-Tech Industries Demonstration Zone. In a statement to the New York Stock Exchange the  companies said they will develop a high-profile agriculture showcase under the name, The China Yangling – New Zealand Agriculture Showcase. The Companies expect to benefit from preferential …

UK MPs argue that Starbucks, Google, and Amazon ‘immorally’ minimize their tax obligations. Lex’s Robert Armstrong and Oliver Ralph discuss how global companies may react.

Simon Constable and Scott Austin review the year’s biggest tech stories, which span from Apple’s multiple product launches, one very high-stakes tech trial, and the most-watched IPO in recent history.