Aussie regulator beats up on NZ banks, Google, Microsoft handed over data, Media merger tries out truthful hyperbole

In NBR Print today: Australia’s banking regulator has made a decision that will have a direct impact on New Zealand’s big four banks, reports Jenny Ruth. Interest rates are likely to be higher than otherwise, the banks are likely to be more cautious about lending and their credit ratings could be under threat.

The road ahead for Fonterra’s [NZX: FSF] farmers is looking slightly more optimistic if the milk futures contracts are anything to go by. But after drastic changes were made last year to cope with the low milk prices – including shedding hundreds of staff, suppliers and contractors – questions are being asked about the dairy giant’s ability to capitalise if prices do pick up. Jason Walls reports.

A peculiar court case involving the Republic of Kazakhstan seeking information about alleged hackers from file storage firm Mega in New Zealand has revealed Microsoft and Google handed over data where others would not. Hamish McNicol reports.

NZME [ASX: APN] and Fairfax’s Commerce Commission application would be laughable if it weren’t so serious, writes Tim Hunter in Hunter’s Corner. These companies are without doubt dominant New Zealand news providers and it is dangerous to concentrate that power into a single group, he concludes.

Auckland-based company Fisher & Paykel Healthcare [NZX: FPH] is putting on a good show in the global healthcare market, producing record results and a steady plan for the future. However, the respiratory sector keeps tight-lipped on market share, which means limited data to decipher whether a competitor is making gains over another. Calida Smylie goes digging in search of clarity.

New Zealand’s stock exchange operator and regulator treated its own investors like mushrooms, the NZX [NZX] versus Ralec case being played out in the Wellington High Court shows. And it looks as though the regulator came dangerously close to violating at least the principles against insider trading during Mark Weldon’s time as chief executive. Jenny Ruth reports.

All this and more in today’s NBR Print Edition. Out now.

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