Pacific Edge shares slumped to a five-month low and Xero plunged again as as the local stock market joined a global sell-off amid concerns high-growth companies may struggle to convert sales into profits.

Xero chief executive Rod Drury is "extremely confident" the market will return to technology stocks after the company's shares slumped to a four-month low.

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri is poised for a major push into the Middle East, including a relaunch in Saudi Arabia after a five-year absence.

Given economist Noriel Roubini's track record it would be foolhardy to write him off as just another overly pessimistic grump, writes Liam Dann.

The Middle East remains an untapped business opportunity for exporters as their focus is dominated by booming Asian markets such as China.

United States stocks had a mixed week with the broader market rising on better economic data

Stock exchange operator NZX says it will ramp up its efforts to help investors understand how it regulates the market this year.

Around a dozen companies have indicated interest in setting up crowd-funding as new rules come into force making it easier for businesses to raise capital.

The headmaster turned up the other day with the local MP. I was sitting down the back of the staffroom.

The bulk of New Zealand's imports come through the Ports of Auckland while the Port of Tauranga is the undisputed king of the export trade.

Watch closely. We are about to find out if we have learned anything from the financial crisis, writes Liam Dann.