When even the experts can’t agree on what the future holds, the planning process – usually involving an annual budget, cash flow forecast, marketing plan and business plan – can baffle even the most experienced business owner.
Business owners must find a way to plan their way past potential threats in the form of interest rates, [...]

Yesterday this newspaper published a YouGov survey showing that support for Labour is at its lowest level for 65 years; even Michael Foot did better. As Prof Anthony King commented, it looks as if the Government and the electorate are heading for a bitter divorce at the general election. But the significance of the poll [...]

The British economy could shrink for a quarter or two and inflation may near 4 per cent this year, the Bank of England said on Wednesday in its bleakest forecasts since the Labour government took power in 1997.
Economists said the expected spike in inflation even further above the central bank’s 2 per cent target meant [...]

Hours before the legislature’s 2008 session ended, the state Senate unanimously passed a comprehensive mortgage-relief bill that would help thousands of subprime mortgage holders threatened with foreclosure.
The Senate moved swiftly in bipartisan fashion to help cash-strapped homeowners through programs that would give them more-affordable interest rates, allowing them to remain in their homes. Gov. M. [...]

Victorian businesses will save more than $1 billion in payroll tax, land tax and workers compensation premiums under the Victorian budget handed down by Treasurer John Lenders yesterday.
Payroll taxes, which had been scheduled to fall from 5.05% to 5%, have been slashed to 4.95%. The thresholds on land taxes have been increased by 10%, with [...]

When President Bush announced that the government would begin distributing economic stimulus checks on Monday, he did so in the shadow of ever-rising gas prices.
The point is to boost the flagging U.S. economy. But record gasoline prices mean that up to a third of stimulus payments could be spent buying gasoline, most of which is [...]

Used-car dealers are feeling the squeeze from buyers tightening their belts and a glut of older vehicles on the market.
Brendon Coughlan, sales manager at El Cheapo Cars in Petone, Business said March had been one of its worst months.
Until two months ago, sales had been mainly of cars in the $10,000 price bracket, he [...]

The closure of the range and dishwasher base along with others in Brisbane and California will cost of about 1070 jobs as Fisher %26amp; Paykel moves production to low cost countries.
Production of the dishwashers currently made in Dunedin would be moved to Thailand, Italy and a newly bought site in Mexico.
The relocation move will start [...]

Having fallen $6000 behind in their mortgage repayments, the family have had to sell their three-bedroom home in Wainuiomata. It will be auctioned by Tommys Real Estate on Wednesday.
The vendor had tears in his eyes as he explained to The Dominion Post how his past seven days had been spent trying to stop the sale, [...]

AS WESTFIELD prepares to demolish and rebuild a significant portion of Pitt Street Mall, the group’s leasing department will be working overtime to ensure the $800 million project will be relevant in a decade.
Tenants in such high-profile developments usually take up five to 10-year leases, so the landlord must ensure the goods will still be [...]