Meridian Energy has fattened its dividend and is hinting of a possible return of capital next year after beating prospectus forecasts in its first annual result.

Oil and gas exploration and development spending was up 7 per cent last year to almost $1.6b, according to the latest official figures which also show a big jump in gas reserves.

It was a tale of two technology companies yesterday as Eroad stock soared following the firm's NZX debut.

Broker Craigs Investment Partners has given its picks on some of the possible highlights and lowlights of this month's earnings season.

Sam Morgan, who made his fortune when Trade Me was sold to Fairfax, has built a substantial shareholding in security software developer Wynyard Group.

Ports of Auckland, Napier Port and Icepak have formed a joint venture to develop a $20m freight hub near Palmerston North.

SkyCity Entertainment Group profits have taken a big dive, its normalised net profit for the June 30 2014 year down 8.1 per cent to $123.1 million.

Despite all the talk of action against Vladimir Putin, Exxon Mobil, the largest US energy company is undeterred, starting work on $700m oil well in the Arctic.

Shares in software developer Vista Group opened up 2.1 per cent following the company's stock exchange debut this morning and have continued to rise.

The sharemarket performance of recent IPOs, in New Zealand and overseas, has been extremely disappointing.

Energy companies are taking their controversial fracking operations from the land to the sea - to deep waters off the US, South American and African coasts.

The FMA has contacted the NZX over a blunder that resulted in investors selling shares in Lyttelton Port when they were unaware of a higher takeover price.

Gentrack Group says it "deeply regrets" cutting its guidance so soon after going public, which resulted from a project delay and a payment dispute at two large utility customers.

Katsuyama has done his best to resist responding publicly to misinformation about his company. But in recent weeks, the misinformation campaign has hit a new high (or low).

Investors in $2 billion landlord Goodman Property Trust yesterday questioned its Australian-headquartered manager Goodman Group being paid its annual management fee in units instead of cash.

NZX is reviewing its processes after a blunder resulted in some investors trading shares in Lyttelton Port when they were unaware of a higher takeover price.

Police are following the money trail left by paedophiles in paying for material and are using the information to shut down rings that include dozens of people across continents.

Gentrack Group is refusing to answer questions after a shock profit downgrade hammered its shares on Friday.

New Zealand shares fell, led by Xero, A2 Milk Co and Pacific Edge, joining a global sell-off as geopolitical risk spooked investors.

Oil prices in New York have tumbled to their lowest level since mid-March helped by unplanned refinery shutdowns in the US midwest.