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Japan’s factory output unexpectedly rose the most since December on production of parts for devices including Apple Inc.’s iPhone, providing a bright spot in an economy poised to shrink for a second straight quarter.

Can Washington make a deal on the budget and avoid the tax increases of the looming “fiscal cliff?” Major Garrett has a first look at President Obama’s proposals and the Republican reaction.

The historic listing of Fonterra units on the NZX caused mammoth volumes by New Zealand market standards and the biggest listing day stag that investors have seen for years. The non-voting units, which launched at midday today, surged as high as $6.95, a 26 percent stag before closing at $6.85 from an offer price of $5.50. The fund’s turnover was …

The New Zealand dollar is set to end the month virtually unchanged against the greenback as US politicians try to navigate away from the fiscal cliff and trans-Tasman central banks prepare to review monetary policy next week. The kiwi traded at 82.23 US cents at 5pm in Wellington from 82.24 cents at 8am, and down from 82.41 cents yesterday. The …

The chief executive of Industrial Research Limited, the Crown Research Institute being folded into the new advanced technology institute, has announced his resignation after six and a half years spent restoring the once-ailing science body’s financial performance. Shaun Coffey said he was leaving “after careful consideration”, and following IRL’s acknowledgement in the last week through a series of awards and …

Heartland New Zealand, which expects to hear back on its banking licence application before Christmas, sees flat profit in the 2013 financial year, and has announced a pre-Christmas special dividend. The Auckland-based lender told shareholders net profit will probably be between $21 million and $24 million in the year ending June 30, 1013 at today’s annual meeting. That compares to …

Douglas Pharmaceuticals, a New Zealand-owned generic drug manufacturer serving local and export markets, is to stay in family ownership after testing the market, following numerous approaches from would-be buyers. Founder and managing director Graeme Douglas has backed keeping the Henderson-based company in family ownership after the company held a formal tender process through an information memorandum to prospective buyers.. A …

PricewaterhouseCoopers have released the released the results from their 2013 survey on the Global State of Information Security. Information security is a real challenge to businesses operating in the contemporary technological environment where staying ahead of the game is more challenging than ever. Hear from more than 9,000 executives worldwide – including 180 from New Zealand, as they discuss threats to …

The Commerce Commission says Auckland electricity network monopoly Vector is wrong to claim it is being subjected to regulated costs of capital higher than its Australian counterparts. Vector has repeatedly made the argument in its protracted argument with the competition regulator, saying Vector faces greater business risks than Australian networks and should be reflected in a higher weighted average cost …

New Zealand building consents fell 1.5 percent in October, snapping four monthly gains, with Canterbury and apartments underpinning new permits and issuance up markedly on the previous year. The number of new dwellings consented fell to a seasonally adjusted 1,519 in October from 1,543 a month earlier, according to Statistics New Zealand. Stripping out apartment issuance, which tends to vary …