The minnow Fonterra spurned, Kiwi dismisses ponzi allegations, Reserve Bank and its critics

In today’s NBR Print Edition: Could a deep-pocketed multinational owner turn A2 Milk [NZX:ATM] into more of a competitive threat to the already embattled Fonterra [NZX:FCG]? This is the big question now being asked as the A2 Milk Company attracts potential takeover bidders, whereas Fonterra itself has spurned numerous opportunities over the years to buy the innovate milk company. Jenny Ruth investigates.

A New Zealander involved in raising more than $100 million for a failed litigation funding scheme says there is no proof it was a ponzi and there is hope investors will get much of their money back. Tim Hunter reports.

Under fire for being over-focused on inflation, Reserve Bank governor Graeme Wheeler is now winding back last year’s interest rate hikes. Rob Hosking takes a look at the Reserve Bank and its critics.

Former baker Paul Yarrow has ‘significantly expanded’ his claim against his previous company adviser Michael Finnigan, reports Hamish McNicol. Mr Yarrow’s claim relating to the downfall of Taranaki firm Yarrows the Bakers has ballooned from $11 million to $91 million and now involves 10 causes of action spanning 11 years.

Reporting season has rolled around again and the market is eagerly awaiting news of how softening economic conditions are affecting stocks. Some brokers have been reducing exposure to cyclical stocks in anticipation, Calida Smylie reports.

Hunting between the lines of Origin’s $1.8 billion selldown of its Contact Energy [NZX:CEN] stake turns up a different story from the one being spun, writes Tim Hunter.

A key analyst is becoming more convinced Xero [NZX:XRO] can become the strong number two player in the United States accounting software market, although he still thinks the shares are too expensive.

Software company Phitek took a large revenue hit in 2013 after it lopped off its consumer headphone arm but the company’s focus on the aviation business appears to have paid off, with a jump in profit this year. Campbell Gibson reports.

The world is shifting to a subscription-based economy, Zuora founder and chief executive Tien Tzuo tells technology editor Chris Keall.

Admark writer Campbell Gibson checks in on Ogilvy & Mather, after the advertising agency experienced a tough time in 2014 with the loss of one of its key clients.

Student debt in New Zealand is the national equivalent of Greece’s debt in Europe, says Jacqueline Rowarth in her Heartland column. And echoing the recent Harvard Business Review article by Michael Jacobides, “the problem is more complicated than austerity…” 

“Big Bang Day” is looming in the residential property market, writes Michael Coote.

Horticulture has become a star performer in the agriculture sector at a time when dairy prices have plummeted. So how is apple and logistics company Scales Corporation [NZX:SCL] doing? Nevil Gibson in Margin Call.

Shoeshine reckons Cavalier Corporation [NZX:CAV] may have just avoided disaster, while education provider Intueri Group [NZX:IQE] has its own problems.

The NZ First leader is 70 and his challenge is to show his party is more than a one-man band, which hasn’t worked, says Rob Hosking in Order Paper. But Winston has a new deputy in Ron Mark – a former Labour Party activist – snapping at his heels now.

All this and more in today's National Business Review. Out now.