The local sharemarket opened down 2.4 per cent, after a wild overnight ride on world markets.

The New Zealand dollar slumped to its lowest level in six years after billions of dollars were wiped from financial markets in the US, Europe and Asia.

New Zealand share market slumps 2 per cent and almost $60 billion has been wiped from Australia's share market as concerns about China's economy shake investors.

Qantas today reported an annual profit of A$557 million, from a loss of A$2.8 billion the previous year.

NZX boss Tim Bennett remains bullish about the outlook for new sharemarket floats, despite the a lack of listings this year.

New Zealand shares rose, buoyed by the prospect of lower interest rates making returns on equities more attractive.

With half of 2015 done and dusted, it's probably a good time to take stock of the sharemarket's winners and losers in the year to date.

New Zealand shares fell as global uncertainty over China's financial markets and Greece's debt crisis spooked investors. Kathmandu Holdings, Warehouse Group and Restaurant Brands declined in a broad-based selloff.

NZX says a lack of basic shareholder protections could tarnish the reputation of the country's capital markets.

The NZX will this week launch the NXT board, a new market for small, growth-focused firms.

Craigs Investment Partners has been fined $30K and censured by NZX's disciplinary tribunal for sloppy record-keeping.

Powerco, the energy lines company, reported a 20 per cent drop in annual profit as it paid more tax.

Contact Energy shares jumped more than 14 per cent after announcing it will increase returns to shareholders.

The company expects to open 150 Esquire Coffee stores in China in the next five years.

Share trading platform Unlisted is applying for an exemption from the Financial Markets Authority.

No other advanced economy in the world would allow almost all of its banking system to be owned overseas, writes Paul Glass. "Let's require the big four banks to list 25 per cent of just their NZ operations on the NZ Stock Exchange."

Z Energy posted a 10 per cent increase in full-year operating earnings, as fuel and refining margins improved and the service station chain sold more fuel.

London-listed and Kiwi-funded Arria suffered a massive share price plunge after crucial fundraising talks stalled following the loss of its largest customer

Fliway Group shares slipped below their $1.20 offer price yesterday after the freight and logistics operator made its sharemarket debut in the first NZX listing of the year.

The owner of the Mad Butcher brand says the liquidation of four of its franchisee-operated budget meat outlets this year is "coincidence".

New Zealand shares fell, led by Fonterra Shareholders' Fund, after the world's biggest dairy exporter lowered its guidance for dividends

Expectations that a higher dividend from Fonterra would at least partly offset a low milk price went by the wayside yesterday when the co-operative lowered its dividend forecast range.

Technology firm Straker Translations is preparing for a listing on stock exchange operator NZX's soon-to-launch NXT market.

Listed companies release their financial results to investors biannually, in a period informally known as the reporting season.