Upbeat markets banking on massive US stimulus; kiwi jumps

Upbeat markets banking on massive US stimulus; kiwi jumps
Rebecca Howard
The prospect of a US$2.2 trillion coronavirus relief bill continues to cheer investors overseas, driving a sharp lift in the kiwi dollar and putting the local market on track to rise for a fourth straight day. The US senate overwhelmingly approved the relief bill as covid-19 cases in the US continue to mount. It now goes before the House of Representatives, where it is also expected to pass with bipartisan support. There are now 75,233 reported cases in the US although a Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that number is probably significantly high...

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NZ sharemarket falls nearly 0.5%
Markets Market close

NZ sharemarket falls nearly 0.5%

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 11,745.53, down 49.28 points or 0.42%.

Contact expects strong FY25 as projects near completion
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Contact expects strong FY25 as projects near completion

Contact Energy expects to report "materially higher" earnings for the year to June 30, 2025. The company said normalised and expected earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and fair value adjustments (ebitdaf) for FY2025 were expected to be $770 million, well a...

Aus: Tax cuts, rates chatter to play into consumer sentiment
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Aus: Tax cuts, rates chatter to play into consumer sentiment

Consumer and business confidence surveys are due out this week. 

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