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Latest FromBrian Gaynor

Former A2 Milk boss Jayne Hrdlicka. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Hrdlicka's departure leaves many questions

14 Dec, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

The big issue now is Jayne Hrdlicka's exit payment, which could be as much as $20 million.

Harvey Norman's Gerry Harvey defended his wife Katie Page against investors who wanted her off the company's board. Photo / Getty Images

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Choosing directors gets heated

7 Dec, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Selecting the best company board members is becoming a contentious business.

A2 Milk has been attacked by short sellers on the ASX. Photo / Supplied

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: A2 Milk in the sights of short sellers

30 Nov, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Australian exchange is a hotbed for traders willing to speculate on a falling share price.

Saudi Aramco's low costs and huge reserves make it the most profitable oil company. Photo / Bloomberg

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Why KiwiSaver investors will shun world's most valuable listed company

23 Nov, 2019 10:00am
7 minutes to read

NZ funds likely to sit on sidelines for now.

ANZ Bank NZ, ASB, Bank of New Zealand and Westpac NZ reported statutory net profit after tax earnings of $5.085 billion for the 2018/19 year. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Gizzards of Oz - Big four bank another $5b

16 Nov, 2019 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Dividends sent home dwarf any local spending.

A judge found that retailer Myer failed to meet its obligations when it didn’t correct the chief executive’s overly optimistic profit predictions. Photo / 123RF

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Attacks on Aussie companies a warning to NZ

9 Nov, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Short-sellers and shareholders are putting the heat on listed firms.

There is a range of evidence to suggest NZOG's Kupe production assets among others have been conservatively valued. Photo / Supplied

BUSINESS

NZOG drills another hole in investor confidence

2 Nov, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

The New Zealand Oil & Gas saga took another depressing turn this week.

The Government is in a strong position to borrow to fund an infrastructure rebuild at much lower interest rates than its maturing debt. Photo / Bloomberg

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Time right for Govt to be bold and borrow

26 Oct, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Low interest rates chance to fix infrastructure deficit while stimulating economic growth.

The takeover offer for New Zealand Oil & Gas raises serious questions about our takeover laws. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: NZOG deal raises questions about NZ takeover laws

19 Oct, 2019 3:52pm
7 minutes to read

Our procedures make it relatively easy for foreigners to acquire our listed companies.

US President Donald Trump continues to divide the nation. Photo / AP

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: No escaping Trump — even at the ball game

12 Oct, 2019 12:58pm
7 minutes to read

Political chat is best avoided in the US these days, as the President divides the nation.

Deregulation of the financial sector by the 1984-90 Roger Douglas/David Lange-led Labour Government dramatically changed bank lending policies, with a stronger bias towards residential property. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: The rise and rise of Kiwi household wealth

5 Oct, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Deregulating the banks was a major factor in growth surge.

Tournament years are when World Rugby turns its usual losses into windfall profits. Photo / Getty Images

BUSINESS

World Rugby scores, as Cup delivers its four-yearly bonanza

28 Sep, 2019 9:25am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Tournament years are when World Rugby turns its usual losses into profits.

NZOG advice to take low-ball offer part of trend that risks gutting NZX. Photo / 123RF

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Where's the fight in Kiwi company directors?

21 Sep, 2019 8:32am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: NZOG advice to take low-ball offer part of trend that risks gutting NZX.

Toasting a new NZX listing in 2004. In recent years, the number of listed companies has been shrinking. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: NZX brokers have raised white flag of surrender

14 Sep, 2019 8:20am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Latest report offers little reason to hope market can be turned around.

Highly regarded outgoing Shareholders' Association chairman John Hawkins urged investors to keep up the fight. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Inside Shareholders' Association annual investor conference

7 Sep, 2019 8:38am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Sun and share prices add cheer as revered chairman passes baton.

Lost from the New Zealand sharemarket: Tegel delisted in October last year. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Takeovers are thinning out the NZX

31 Aug, 2019 8:44am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Local market and the NZ economy suffer as shareholders sell out.

Dairy farming in Ireland, where the milk price is much the same as NZ, but Kerry Group has a vastly higher value than Fonterra. Photo / 123RF

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Numbers reveal the scale of Fonterra's failure

24 Aug, 2019 8:30am
7 minutes to read

Focus on milk price and dividends is key to co-op's poor performance.

Farmers voted overwhelmingly for Fonterra, but the co-op has failed to deliver.

BUSINESS

Gaynor: Fonterra needs to get out of its rut

17 Aug, 2019 1:55pm
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Flawed from the beginning, Fonterra must now adopt a new structure.

Donald Trump's aggressive trade policies encourage Chinese President Xi Jinping to respond in kind. Photo / AP

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: NZ risks being caught in trade war crossfire

10 Aug, 2019 9:11am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: China and the US may force us to choose between them.

The idea that interest rates can't be set below zero was demolished in 2012, when Denmark (pictured) did just that. Photo / Bloomberg

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Learning to live with negative interest rates

3 Aug, 2019 10:21am
7 minutes to read

For NZ bank depositors, there may be more falls yet.

Canadian firm Hexo has linked with Molson Coors Brewing to make cannabis-infused drinks. Photo / Bloomberg

BUSINESS

Gaynor: Future looking dope for global cannabis sector

27 Jul, 2019 10:00am
7 minutes to read

Loosening laws spurring big deals but NZ off the pace.

Napier Port's $173m-$190m wharf expansion programme is targeted for completion in 2022. Photo / Supplied

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: A champagne toast for Napier Port's listing

20 Jul, 2019 7:31am
7 minutes to read

NZX will welcome a company that has a genuine business model and positive earnings.

Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Provincial Growth Fund questions grow faster than trees

13 Jul, 2019 10:00am
7 minutes to read

Spending will be difficult to monitor to ensure taxpayers are getting value for money.

Alistair Hutchison, Sir John Wells and Peter Harris at the 2015 CBL Corp IPO. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Reserve Bank asleep at wheel with CBL

6 Jul, 2019 11:00am
7 minutes to read

Report says regulator should have held up IPO over solvency fears.

Auckland Airport has a dominant position in New Zealand's international passenger market. Photo / Lux

BUSINESS

'Moat' giving Auckland Airport tailwind

29 Jun, 2019 8:40am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: High-flying stock a trade-off call between price and long-term legs.

Former ANZ Bank New Zealand CEO David Hisco. Photo / Getty Images

BUSINESS

Gaynor: Why Hisco should be praised by his former bosses

22 Jun, 2019 1:30pm
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: How can we possibly criticise a CEO who achieved such massive profit figures?

It will be fascinating to see how domestic retailers respond to proposed Costco arrival. Photo / Bloomberg

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Can The Warehouse take on Costco?

16 Jun, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: It will be fascinating to see how domestic retailers respond to Costco arrival.

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Local shares dodge worst of volatility

8 Jun, 2019 8:36am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: New Zealand and Australian markets have soared lately.

Mark Lucas (left), Nic Foreman and PhD student Daniel Reason in Cannasouth's Hamilton research lab. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Share structure reminiscent of bad old days

1 Jun, 2019 12:10pm
3 minutes to read

Original shareholders' sale of shares unrestricted when Cannasouth lists on NZX.

Another four years of Trump in the White House will certainly generate more political uncertainty and volatility for financial markets. Photo / AP

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Market volatility, political uncertainty loom

1 Jun, 2019 9:01am
4 minutes to read

COMMENT: Politicians with strong nationalistic policies continue to do well.

Uber's bankers have said it could be worth as much as US$120 billion, but the company faces strong competition, including in New Zealand. Photo / AP

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: More art than science in pricing share offers

25 May, 2019 8:20am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: There are two clear lessons to be learnt from recent US Initial Public Offerings.

KiwiSaver should be viewed as a lower-risk investment option while higher risks can be taken through non-KiwiSaver investments. Photo / 123RF

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Why KiwiSaver funds couldn't match the NZX

18 May, 2019 8:37am
7 minutes to read

The only funds to outperform this NZX benchmark index were two small property funds.

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Small shareholders left out in the cold

12 May, 2019 8:10am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: A better deal is needed when companies raise capital.

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Top government entities must do better

4 May, 2019 8:20am
7 minutes to read

There are increasing concerns about the performance of several key government entities.

Exchange needs to spend money to encourage more Kiwi firms to opt for an IPO. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: NZX must end drought of listings

27 Apr, 2019 8:40am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Exchange needs to spend money to encourage more Kiwi firms to opt for an IPO.

Rugby needs star players to attract TV audiences. Photo / Brett Phibbs

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: NZ v Aussies in rugby's money game

20 Apr, 2019 8:03am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Fans at home or in the pub have become more important than those attending games.

Liza Minnelli's Money makes the world go around could have been the NZX's theme song this week. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: The Kiwi companies facing the music

13 Apr, 2019 11:00am
7 minutes to read

'Money makes the world go around' could have been the NZX's theme song this week.

Westland's pending sale to foreign buyer should be warning to industry. Photo / Supplied

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Should Fonterra list before it's too late?

6 Apr, 2019 7:50am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Westland's pending sale to foreign buyer should be warning to industry.

Cutouts of Mark Zuckerberg on the White House lawn in 2018. Photo / Bloomberg

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Facebook needs to face up to hard questions

30 Mar, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Will Facebook's culture encourage more govts to rein in social media platforms?

It's been a bad year for Eric Watson and his companies. Photo / Greg Bowker

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: The trials of Eric Watson

23 Mar, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Courtroom defeats have left the high-flying businessman facing huge demands for payment.

Methven's poor execution - and the woeful performance of CBL, Orion Health, Wynyard and many other IPOs - will continue to discourage New Zealanders from investing in small NZX companies. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Another NZX listing goes down the gurgler

16 Mar, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Woeful performances will discourage New Zealanders from investing in small NZX companies.

Fletcher Building has a lot to learn from a2 Milk. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: 'Whack-a-mole' Fletcher can learn from a2 Milk

9 Mar, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Fletcher and a2 Milk have had totally different sharemarket performances recently

Why should the directors pay only $36m when unsecured creditors are still owed $110m? Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Mainzeal's directors got off lightly

2 Mar, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Why should directors pay only $36m when unsecured creditors are still owed $110m?

Sir Michael Cullen chairs the Tax Working Group. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Tax plan likely to go the way of the Titanic

23 Feb, 2019 12:00pm
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Entrepreneurs and KiwiSavers will be hit if capital gains tax goes ahead.

The New Zealand sharemarket would be on its death bed if it wasn't for the partial privatisation programme of the Key Government. Photo / Greg Bowker

BUSINESS

Can we resuscitate our struggling sharemarket?

16 Feb, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Is the NZX and FMA review of our capital markets too late?

The Australian Royal Commission was relatively easy on the banks. Photo / File

BUSINESS

The power of banks to create money

9 Feb, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Comment: The Australian Royal Commission was relatively easy on the banks.

Retailers need to connect with the elusive millennial generation. Photo / 123RF

BUSINESS

Millennials will be key to retail's future

2 Feb, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Comment: Retailers need to connect with the elusive millennial generation.

Houses or shares, which is the best investment? This is a recurring question in NZ. Photo / 123RF

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Houses and shares deliver a decade of growth

26 Jan, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Houses or shares, which is the best investment? This is a recurring question in NZ.

Australians are saving more towards their retirement than their Kiwi counterparts. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Why Aussies are winning retirement race

19 Jan, 2019 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Change needed to KiwiSaver if New Zealanders are to catch up.

CEO Don Braid's company Mainfreight enjoyed some outstanding results this year, making it top performer for 2018.

BUSINESS

NZ's best and worst performing companies

15 Dec, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

2019 can't arrive soon enough for shareholders of some companies.

Excellent governance has been a major factor in Fisher & Paykel Healthcare's success. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: NZX shelf life shockingly brief for too many

1 Dec, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Directors with industry skills, strong emphasis on organic growth key.

The latest profit downgrade was due to newly disclosed issues, rather than the already-revealed construction losses. Photo / Bloomberg

BUSINESS

Comment: Fletcher shocker one of the worst

24 Nov, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Comment: Fletcher Building's annual meeting on Tuesday was an absolute shocker.

Reserve Bank deputy governor Geoff Bascand. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Why Reserve Bank should hand over role of regulation

17 Nov, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Debacle over CBL and previous Westpac Bank issues show supervision isn't up to scratch.

Overseas ownership of our four major banks is a huge loss to the economy in terms of the dividends remitted overseas. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Aussies are banking on bumper profits in NZ

10 Nov, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Why overseas ownership of the Big Four is a huge loss to our economy.

Mark Peterson has made some positive changes, but he and his team need to boost participation in the market. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Comment: There's a long way to go for NZX

3 Nov, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Reforms look promising, but why has change taken so long?

George Kerr will get his way. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Company too complex for shareholders' good

27 Oct, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

PGC has been a disappointment for investors.

Proposed offer for 75 per cent of Restaurant Brands illustrates two clear developments. Photo / 123RF

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Restaurant Brands latest on foreign buyers' menu

20 Oct, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Proposed offer for 75 per cent of Restaurant Brands illustrates two developments.

Anti-Kavanaugh protesters make their point in Washington DC. Photo / AP

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Balance of power in American voters' hands

13 Oct, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: Will elections change or keep the status quo?

Mainzeal collapsed in 2013 with $117m owed to unsecured creditors. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: Mainzeal — big promises, zero delivery

6 Oct, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Long-running saga ended in the collapse of one of NZ's biggest construction companies.

Fiona Oliver is mounting a strong defence against the takeover of her company. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Who will triumph in battle for power?

29 Sep, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Fiona Oliver is mounting a strong defence against the takeover of her company.

When will NZ dairy farmers wake up and realise that Fonterra needs a massive shake-up? Photo / Bloomberg

BUSINESS

Comment: Fonterra needs radical reform

22 Sep, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

When will NZ dairy farmers wake up and realise that Fonterra needs a massive shake-up?

Turner Automotive's Grant Baker. Photo / File

BUSINESS

Brian Gaynor: The five companies facing decision day

15 Sep, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

COMMENT: There are at least five interesting annual meetings left in September.