Top Business Stories for Thursday, Feb 05

John Key/ Photo Mark Mitchell

The top four business stories from nzherald.co.nz for Thursday, Feb 05:

Economists discount surprise rise in employment
A surprise rise in the number of people employed is being largely discounted by economists, as the unemployment rate hit a five-year high 4.6 per cent in the December quarter.

Brian Fallow: Unemployment stats show unexpected participation jump
The recession is biting harder on the labour market, with the unemployment rate jumping in the December quarter to a five-year high of 4.6 per cent.

APN sells online directories to Yellow Pages owner
Media group APN has sold its stable of online business directories: FindA.co.nz, Wises maps, menus.co.nz, UBD and APNData businesses.

Madoff liquidators recover nearly $1 billion for investors
NEW YORK - A trustee liquidating Bernard Madoff's investment firm has told a federal judge that nearly $US950 million in cash and securities has been recovered for investors.